Some Facts on Sunscreen & Vitamin D

It's common to think that the higher the SPF the more you are protecting your skin...but studies have shown that this is actually not true. Sunscreen actually blocks good UVB rays (that make vitamin D3) and letting UVA rays in (skin cancer causing). Hmm...I wonder why skin cancer rates have risen to over one million a year as the sunscreen industry continues to hype up their products and increase SPF numbers.   "Products with high SPF ratings sell a false sense of security because most people using them stay out in the sun longer, still get burned (which increases risk of skin cancer) and subject their skin to large amounts of UVA radiation, the type of sunlight that does not burn but is believed responsible for considerable skin damage and cancer. High SPF products, which protect against sunburn, often provide very little protection against UVA radiation. Also, most people don't get the high SPF they pay for: people apply about a quarter of the recommended amount. In everyday practice, a product labeled SPF 100 really performs like SPF 3.2, an SPF 30 rating equates to a 2.3 and an SPF 15 translates to 2. This year, new concerns are being raised about a vitamin A compound called retinyl palmitate, found in 41 percent of sunscreens. The FDA is investigating whether this chemical, when applied to skin that is then exposed to sunlight, may accelerate skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk. FDA data suggest that vitamin A may be photocarcinogenic, meaning that in the presence of the sun's ultraviolet rays, the compound and skin undergo complex biochemical changes resulting in cancer. The evidence against vitamin A is not conclusive, but as long as it is suspect, EWG recommends that consumers choose vitamin A-free sunscreens." Full Article Here: http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreens/press  The facts on Vitamin D3 Deficiencies:  - 87% of Americans are affected by Vitamin D3 deficiencies due to the increased use of sunscreen mixed with less time spent outside.  - 7 of 10 children in the US have low levels of vitamin D3 - 70% of breast fed babies are vitamin D3 deficient by 1 month, affecting growth and development  - Vitamin D3 deficiencies are to blame for over 16 types of cancers, cardiovascular disease, depression, auto-immune diseases, Alzheimer's, Parkinson, stroke, genetic disorders...and the list goes on - SPF measures UVB blockage... the higher the SPF, the less UVB and Vitamin D3 "The SPF rating system only measures the UVB blocking power of sunscreens. In other words, a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 will block out all UVB rays but may not block UVA rays. Though you may not burn, skin cancer causing rays are still reaching your skin" -Dr. Douillard Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are the only SAFE SUNSCREEN INGREDIENTS! They block UVA and UVB rays. These ingredients reflect the rays of the sun and do not penetrate the skin. Need to know more? This is a great article by Dr. John Douillard:  http://www.lifespa.com/article.aspx?art_id=100

NOW WHAT? 

Environmental Working Group's Online Sunscreen Database:  

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/ 

Find your sunscreen and see how it rates and see a list of the best sunscreens