Just as our personalities are shaped when we are children, believe it or not, our future face at 40-50+ years old is being shaped as well.  The average person receives 85% of the sun we will have in a lifetime by the age of eighteen.  (Remember baby oil, sunlamps, reflectors, or is this showing my age?).  So, if you are over 35 and complaining you keep getting sun damage, but are serious about sunblock, remember childhood.

If you're wondering what the sun hasdone to you, here are a few examples.  Loss of eslasticity, because the UVA rays have literally blown the elastin fibers apart and when the DNA is unable to keep up the repais, the skin cannot snap back and is permanently wrinkled.  Another thing one sees is actinic keratosis, scaly patches of skin that can be precancerous.  Other common signs of photo damage (photo = light) are spots, brown patches, broken blood vessels and yellow pebbling of the skin.

Feeling a little baffled whether to buy sunblock or sunscreen and what SPF is all about?  Let's descramble for you.  Sunscreens contain chemicals that absorb ultraviolet radiation before it bombards the epidermis.  Sunblocks such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide are physical barriers and are "chemical" free and thus cause less allergic reactions.  SPF or sun protection factor is probably the most misunderstood and misleading.

We tend to want to get the highest number we can because it must give more protection.  This, however, this is not correct.  Here is the numbers game: SPF 15 blocks 96% UV rays and SPF 30 blocks 97%.  The higher the SPF, the less additional blocking.  So, a SPF of 60 gives only a fraction more coverage than a SPF 30.  So buyer beware.  You should buy SPF 15-30 and remember to use less than 1-year old sunblock.  Be sure to re-apply every 2 hours and apply evenly (a common problem).  Also, use sunblock in all seasons (summer and winter - especially when skiing) and on cloudy days too.  Remember to protect your lips.

Until next time, see you under my hat and umbrella!