 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Women's Skincare
Taking
care of your skin in the sun and snow
GREED. More doesn't always mean better. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) measures the length of time a product protects against skin reddening, compared to how long the skin takes to redden without protection. So if you burn after 20 minutes in the sun without sunscreen, a sunscreen with an SPF 15 will protect you 15 times longer - or for about five hours. SPF protection does not increase proportionately - a sunscreen with 30 SPF blocks 97 percent of the damaging UVA and UVB rays from the sun, while SPF 15 blocks 93 percent.
The FDA has proposed a new
system (August 2007) where sun screen lotions would be rated on how
well they protect skin against UVA and UVB radiation. The UVA
ratings have not been offered in the past and this light penetrates
deeper into the skin. Some tanning products provide no UVA protection
and it has been proposed that ratings will now address this issue. SPF
50 would also be recognized now and a warning about the risk of skin
cancer may be required to be on all sunscreen lotions.
GLUTTONY. Don't be
a glutton for punishment, stay out of the sun between the hours of 10
and 2. The rays of the sun are strongest at this time of day, increasing
the risk of sun damage to your skin.
LUST. Forget about
asking your significant other to rub that lotion on you on the trails.
Apply that first ounce of sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors,
to allow it to bond to your skin. For one overall application of sunscreen
you should use one ounce - about the amount that would fill a shot glass.
SLOTH. Getting lazy
will get you burned. Sunscreens need to be reapplied every two to four
hours. Be diligent. Even better, choose sunblock, which uses zinc oxide
or titantium dioxide so the UV rays bounce off rather than get absorbed.
ENVY. So your best
friend came back from Tahoe with an amazing tan. She may look healthy
now, but there is no known safe way to tan. Tanning is a form of "skin
injury" that occurs when UV rays enter the skin and the derma layer
produces more melanin to protect itself. And it leads to all sorts of
nasty effects of premature aging, like wrinkles and sun spots.
PRIDE. Don't be proud
of that goggle tan. Snow reflects up to 80 percent of the sun's rays,
causing major sunburn damage to uncovered skin. That goes for water
and ice, too. Added to the already increased exposure is the increased
risk at altitude. Winter sports in the mountains increase the risk of
sunburn because there is less atmosphere at high altitudes to block
the sun's rays.
WRATH. Okay, get angry because skin cancer statistics are alarming. Skin cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in the United States. Not only is skin cancer deadly, most are horribly disfiguring. Skin cancer accounts for 1 percent of all cancer deaths and 90 percent of all skin cancers can be attributed to the sun.
Facts and figures taken from skincancer.org, sunsafety.org and the American Academy of Dermatology (aad.org).
According to Jill Adler in an article in Sports Guide, cleanser should be milky and designed for sensitive skin to provide more hydration. Moisturizer should have vitamin E and C for protection against the environment and make sure it is slightly oily to retain water inside the skin cells longer. Hydrate excessively and slop on the moisturizer every night. Choose vitamin-rich products without alcohol, menthol or acid compounds that absorb your natural oils. Vitamin A helps prevent sun damage, C and E heal wounds and D helps stave off skin damage and signs of aging. Avoid baths and hot tubs because they break down body oils, but if you like baths then add bath oils to the water.
Other Women's Pages on XCSkiResorts.com:
Women's
XC Products | Snowshoeing for Women
Skin Care in the Cold