Sunscreen: How To Safely Protect Your Skin From Ultraviolet Radiation

Written by Rosemarie Hickey on December 6th, 2009

Over the last decade, the sale of sunscreen has increased significantly throughout the world. People are becoming more concerned about their skin and are trying to prevent the diseases that are associated with sun overexposure. Most sunblock formulas sold on the market today contain chemicals. However, natural formulas also exist which claim to be skin friendly and do not pose any threat to our health.

One chemical ingredient commonly found in sunblock is oxybenzone. This compound helps block UVA radiation. In order to best protect your skin, you will need to use a broad spectrum sunscreen which blocks out both UVA and UVB rays. Despite the fact that this compound is beneficial, it also has some side effects associated with its use. Medical studies have concluded that it is a skin irritant, and is linked with the development of allergies and cancer. In addition, women who used products containing oxybenzone had a greater likelihood of having an underweight baby.

Parsol 1789 is another chemical used in sunscreen and is claimed to be safer than oxybenzone. Parsol 1789′s chemical name is avobenzone, and it blocks out both short and long UVA rays. Since UVA rays have been shown to be a leading factor in the development of melanoma, it is important that we use a sunblock to filter out these damaging rays. Avobenzone is beneficial in protecting the skin from UV radiation. However, it is still questionable whether it is safe for our overall health since it generates free radicals within our body. Free radicals not only speed up the aging process, they are also responsible for tissue damage. It is important that we take Vitamins C and E and other antioxidants daily in order to prevent the damage caused by these unstable molecules.

Faced with all these problems caused by the vast number of chemicals contained in sunscreen today, natural cosmetic companies have created a line of products that use safe UVA filtering agents. One such compound used in these natural formulas is titanium dioxide. It is effective in protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful rays since it filters out both UVA and UVB radiation. The only downside of this compound is that it is visible on the skin, giving it a white chalky color. Due to this problem, some companies use titanium dioxide in nanoparticle form.

Since nanoparticles are now being used in sunscreen, researchers are now beginning to question their safety. They believe that if these particles penetrate into our skin cells, their possible interaction with sunlight could cause damage to these cells. Follow up studies have concluded that titanium dioxide nanoparticles remain on the surface of the skin, and are not absorbed into the skin cells and thereby will not cause any damage. Since presently there are not enough studies advocating the safety of the use of nanoparticles in skincare products, you should proceed with caution before purchasing any products containing these types of ingredients.

Since nanoparticles are now being used in sunscreen, researchers are now beginning to question their safety. They believe that if these particles penetrate into our skin cells, their possible interaction with sunlight could cause damage to these cells. Follow up studies have concluded that titanium dioxide nanoparticles remain on the surface of the skin, and are not absorbed into the skin cells and thereby will not cause any damage. Since presently there are not enough studies advocating the safety of the use of nanoparticles in skincare products, you should proceed with caution before purchasing any products containing these types of ingredients.

The use of sunscreen is one way we can help protect our skin from ultraviolet radiation. Fortunately, natural sunblock formulas are now available that do not contain the dangerous chemicals that can negatively affect our skin and undermine our health. Another helpful tip to help protect our skin from the sun’s rays is to reapply sunscreen a few times each day since perspiration and swimming will wash it off. Get regular screenings by your dermatologist to check for moles since some may be cancerous. Since fair skinned people are more susceptible to getting sunburn and developing skin cancer, these people should get a cancer screening at least once a year by their doctor. Taking these necessary precautions in many cases can help identify cancer in its earliest stages so that it can be more easily treated. These helpful tips can help you best protect your skin when you are out in the sun and prevent photo aging and other more serious diseases from forming.

Are you looking to find the safest and best broad spectrum sunscreen formula on the market today? If so, visit pureskincaresolutions.com to find the latest information on how to protect your skin from UV radiation.

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