Sunscreen 101. What’s up with Sunscreen, the Sun and Your Skin.

Have we got it backwards?  Is it possible that natural sunlight is good for us and that chemical sunscreens and avoiding the sun are bad for us? Consider these Sunscreen 101 tips.

The energy of all plants and life depends on the absorption of sunlight. In his book, Light: Medicine of the Future, Jacob Liberman states that not only is the sun good for you, it is downright therapeutic. He points out that it is chemical sunscreens, fluorescent lighting and an indoor lifestyle that could be detrimental to our health.

According to Dr. Liberman, ultraviolet or UV light lowers blood pressure, activates the synthesis of vitamin D which is needed for the absorption of many minerals from the diet, increases the heart’s efficiency, reduces cholesterol, assists in weight loss, is an effective treatment for psoriasis and increases the level of sex hormones. He believes light is a nutrient.

The real cause of skin cancer

Regarding the effects of UV light and skin cancer Dr. Liberman writes: “One of the major researchers, Dr. Helen Shaw, found that the people who had the lowest risk of developing skin cancer were those main outdoor activity was sunbathing! Twice the risk of developing melanomas was found in office workers who had to work indoors all day under fluorescent lights. Additional research by Dr. Shaw shows that fluorescent lights can cause mutations in cultures of animal cells.  Dr. Shaw concludes that “. . . in both Australia and Great Britain, melanoma rates were high among professional and office workers and lower in people working outdoors.”

A Mood Brightener

I think being out in the sun for part of each day is a great, healthful thing, especially if you’re walking, skating, swimming, or doing some other wonderful, invigorating exercise. I agree completely with Dr. Liberman and Thomas Jefferson that the sun truly is a great healer and a source of nutrients we desperately need. If you’re concerned about being out on a sunny day, wear a wide-brimmed hat and avoid the part of the day when the sun’s rays are their strongest.

I used to have a dingy, dark little office.  Now I have 20’ of southern-facing windows in my office and the sunlight pouring through has enhanced my quality of life immensely. Speaking of sunny Colorado, people here seem to be happier that my friends in cloudier climates. If we don’t see the sun for three days in a row, people get irritable and crabby. I know I do. When you think about it and let yourself answer truthfully, I daresay you intuitively know the sun is good for you. Give yourself permission, for health’s sake, to bask in the sun’s radiance.

Skin damage

I have seen a few people with severely sun-damaged skin, but they really overdid it every day, every summer for years. Too much sun can have a negative effect as can too much of anything: too much oxygen, too much vitamin A, too much horsetail tea…. or too much sunscreen.

It’s a fact that many of the sunscreens on the market contain chemicals that can be toxic.  Companies give you good reasons to buy their sunscreens, but I think that instinctively we know what is right for us. I think we get so caught up in the fear-induced advertising and shallow reporting constantly bombarding us that we lose trust in our inherent wisdom.

Ditch the sunscreen and simply avoid sun exposure between 10:0 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. when  UVB rays are the strongest. If needed, use natural plant oil sunscreens such as sesame and avocado oil, and herbs such as yarrow, lily, and rosemary.  Drink lots of water to hydrate your skin. Natural sunscreens such as sesame oil and vitamin E blend can be applied directly to your skin.  You can also apply a topical ascorbyl palmitate, which is vitamin C that is fat-soluble and has recently been found to be successful; however, it is synthetic.

Fun in the Sun

Detoxing your body and being in general good health is essential to combating any negativity in ultraviolet light. In the news recently is the discovery that taking antioxidants like Vitamins A, C and E internally, can combat the sun’s negative effects. The theory is that plants have to produce the same substances to protect themselves from the sun. I think these ingredients have a great future in the sunscreen business.

Your skin was originally designed to deal with the effects of the sun, so what you want to do is reinforce the natural defense system your body already has. Some sunscreens can be more damaging to your skin than the sun so be careful how you choose. I don’t currently offer a sunscreen because the only natural SPF sunscreen is PABA and a large percentage of the population has allergies to PABA.

Here in Colorado, and in other high altitude locations, we do need to be careful. For every 1,000 feet above sea level, the intensity of the UV radiation increases by about four percent. For example, Vail Colorado is at 9, 000 feet meaning the sun’s rays are about 36 percent stronger there.

So chuck the sunscreen, put on a wide-brimmed hat, and go have some fun in the sun!

Note: For more Sunscreen 101 tips, visit the Environmental Working Group (EWG.org) and discover the safety rating on your brand of sunscreen.

* Jacob Liberman, Light: Medicine of the Future, Santa Fe, NM: Bear & Company Publishing, Inc.