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     Summer has arrived and it is hot! What should you do to protect yourself from the suns’ harmful rays? With all of the choices out there what do you look for in a sunscreen?  These are questions we all ask ourselves every year when the weather warms up. I suggest starting with a sunscreen that has broad spectrum coverage, includes zinc or titanium dioxide, is stable in sunlight, and contains as few hazardous ingredients as possible. How do you read the label to determine what might be hazardous to your health? I recommend investing in a book called “A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients” .By Ruth Winter, M.S.  You would be amazed at the health hazards disguised as personal care products, even baby products and sunscreen.  When choosing a sunscreen also look for products that have an SPF of a least 15 or higher, and come in a cream or liquid that can not be inhaled.  It is important to have both UVA and UVB production. Think of UVA as aging rays and UVB as burning rays. You don’t want a product that just prevents you from burning, but will not protect you from those hard to get rid of age spots later in life. You also don’t want to a product that just prevents dark brown spots, but leaves you looking like a boiled tomato.     We  also often overlook the health risks associated with too much sun exposure, and why it is so important to protect your skin from sun damage. Here is a list of a few things caused by being in the sun under protected, and over exposed. ·         Melanoma skin cancer: The most serious form of skin cancer, and also the fast growing type of cancer in the US. Scientist now believe there might be a link between our childhood sunburns and developing melanoma later in life. If this type of cancer is caught in time, it is almost always curable. So be very aware of what is on your skin and any changes in your skin. Check out the American Cancer Societies Web Site for what to look for. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_Skin_Cancer_Detection_What_You_Can_Do.asp ·         Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: These types of skin cancer are rarely fatal, but never leave any skin cancer left untreated. There are two types: Basal Cell Carcinomas, fleshy non-spreading nodules or bumps, and squamous cell carcinomas, which grow rapid tumors that can spread to other parts of the body. ·         Premature Aging: And then there is the premature aging of the skin that causes the skin to become thick, wrinkled and leathery. This condition can be avoided by proper sun protection! In addition to the damage the sun can do to your looks and long term skin health, it also affects your immune system. ·          Immune System Supression: Sunburns can alter your immune system by affecting your white blood cells and can take up to 24 hours to start doing their job properly after extreme sun exposure.        It hardly seems worth the risk to your health and wellness to go unprotected in these hot summer months. So remember always wear sunscreen, reapply ever two hours, limit your sun exposure when possible, and wear a hat with a wide brim whenever possible. If you follow these recommendations, you can avoid the hazards of the sun and enjoy your summer while looking good for years to come.   Frances Vincen-Brown Licensed Esthetician, Karuna Reiki Master www.massageandskincaresolutions.com   Read also artilcle purchase sumatriptan online