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Skin Deep?
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"Why wouldn't you want to protect the glamorous skin you're wearing? It's the only real outfit you've got!"
- Mary Kent
Last week, The Weekly Beet reported on the importance of protecting the eyes from the sun. This week, Mary Kent gets skin deep, continuing with Part 2 of the Sun Beet. She covers up, reporting on the essentials of protecting the skin from dangerous UV rays.
 These days, everybody's talking about the causes of skin cancer! Is it thanks to the depletion of the ozone layer or the sun's powerful UV-B rays? Could it be the chemicals in your favorite SPF or something as simple as the food you eat? Maybe you're an irresponsible smoker whose risk for skin cancer has tripled or a foolish tan addict who believes in a quick fix rather than a cover up? Whatever the cause, skin cancer is one of the most dangerous types of cancer we're wearing today! With over 70,000 new cases in the UK and over 1.3 million in the US every year, skin cancer is being called by the American Academy of Dermatology 'an undeclared epidemic'. With skin cancer now targeting 20 and 30 somethings, red-heads, fair, freckled, and weathered skin, it seems this killer has made its mark.
The damaging marks caused by repeated, unprotected sun exposure include:
Sunburn. The main cause of skin cancer.
Wrinkles and age spots. Sun exposure increases premature aging of the skin, causing collagen break down and cell function damage.
Actinic keratosis. Pre-cancerous skin lesions.
Squamous cell carcinoma, and Melanoma. Cancerous skin lesions. Click here to learn the ABCDEs of skin cancer.
Melasma.
A darkening of facial skin around the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead.
Freckles.
Cold sores and blisters.
Lower immunity against infection.
The most important thing we can do to counteract the harmful UV-B rays is to know the facts! A bit of sun with the help of natural sunscreen is not a bad thing and can be very beneficial to the body. But if you really want to enjoy the sun and keep your skin healthy, follow The Beet Girls advice:
- It's gorgeous to be pale. The fried look is so passe.
- Shade the body! Use an umbrella, wear a chic kaftan, and always a hat.
- Remember the sun is strongest between 10AM and 4PM.
- If sunbathing, NEVER NEVER NEVER get burned! Go for a gradual suntan.
- Get the right SPF for your skin. Use a minimum of SPF 25. If you are fair, always use a higher SPF. Apply cream 20 minutes before being exposed.
- Many sunscreens contain toxic chemicals that
increase skin cancer. Go natural. Our favorite brand is Aubrey Organics 25 SPF. Green People, Dr. Hauschka, and REN are good too!
- Make sure not to leave out the easy to forget ears, bald head, lips, back of neck, and feet.
- Apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours and always after swimming.
- Avoid tanning beds, they are definitely harmful!
- Check your skin regularly and notice if there are any strange looking moles. Use chart above for guidelines.
- Super sun sensitive people should wear SPF clothing.
- Don't let a cloudy day fool you. Wear sunscreen no matter what!
- Skin cancer is NOT only caused by long-term exposure to the sun. Studies indicate a link between the incorrect rato of Omega 6 and 3 oils and skin cancer. Eating the WRONG fats can be a contributor to skin cancer. Add more helpful Omega-3s and consult a nutritionist.
- Wear UV protective sunglasses.
- Avoid wearing perfume which causes Poikiloderma, reddish-brown spots on the skin.
- Exercise! It has been proven that exercising cuts risks of skin cancer.
Mary Kent asked designer, Liza Bruce, the goddess of summer, for some extra advice. I love to use argan oil to protect and nourish my skin," says Bruce. "It comes from the Argan tree in Morocco and acts as a barrier to the sun. Also, don't be exposed to the sun unprotected for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Dress up ~ wear a hat and something light-weight like kaftan at the beach. We put Liza's advice to the test and truly felt like divas in the sun. Now, that's what we call unBEETable!
It's time to wear your skin well. Protect it! Don't miss a Beet. Stay tuned for next week.
Love,
Mary Kent
PS. Mary Kent is wearing bikini and kaftan from Liza Bruce. Hats are also from Liza Bruce. MK's earrings are from Balboa and necklace is a vintage piece from her grandmother. MK's shoes are from French Sole.
PPS. Check out Erica Gragg co-founder of Bikini Boot Camp and Amansala on Ladies Who Launch.
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