from companies like Cabana Life
(cabanalife.com),
Coolibar
(coolibar.com),
and Sun Precautions
(sunprecautions.com).
For children
heading to summer camp, up the
protection by laundering their clothing
with Sun Guard, a detergent that
infuses clothes with UPF (ultraviolet
protection factor) 30, and lasts up
to
2 0
washes.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you can see
through a garment when you hold it
up to a light, then UVA radiation can
penetrate through it.
S
Waterproof
sunscreens last
indefinitely.
FALSE.
THE FACTS
No sunscreen will protect
you if it’s wiped off on a towel. Reapply
after swimming or sweating—
even if the
label promises it’s waterproof.
THE NEWS
Once the FDA puts new
labeling guidelines into effect, sun
lotions will only be able to claim they
are “water-resistant”
THE BOTTOM LINE
No sunscreen is
truly waterproof.
6
Tanning beds offer
a safer tan.
FALSE.
THE FACTS
The light used in tanning
beds emits UVA radiation at strengths
that, in some cases, are 15 times more
powerful than the sun, explains Dr.
Dale Abadir, a Rye Brook, New York-
based dermatologist and spokesman
for The Skin Cancer Foundation.
THE NEWS
Exposure to tanning beds
before age 35 increases your risk of
melanoma by 75 percent. It makes you
two and a half times more likely to
develop squamous cell carcinoma and
one and a half times more likely to
develop basal cell carcinoma.
THE BOTTOM LINE
“The UVA
radiation emitted from tanning beds
exponentially increases your chances
of developing a malignant melanoma,”
says Dr. Abadir.
You can prevent
skin cancers.
TRUE.
THE FACTS
Melanoma is the most
dangerous form of skin cancer, but it
rarely strikes without warning.
THE NEWS
Look for warning signs:
Asymmetry
Draw a line through
the mole. The two sides should be
symmetrical (evenly matched).
Borders
Healthy moles have smooth
borders; if they are scalloped or
notched, see a doctor.
Color
Look for color uniformity. A
variety of colors (brown, tan, black, blue,
red, or white) is suspicious.
Diameter
The smaller, the better. A
mole that is larger than a pencil eraser
should be checked.
Evolving
Be aware of moles that have
changed in size, shape, or color, or that
start to bleed, itch, or crust over.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Most skin cancers
arc treatable if caught early. Perform your
own checks and see a dermatologist at
least once a year for a full body screening.
M elissa’s
FAVORITES
INNOVATIVE SUN
PROTECTION.UST
RIGHT FORSJMVIEI
Lubriderm
MY MOISTURE
wmSPF 15
1
«
9
I’m always on the
lookout for products
that make sun
protection conve-
nient.
Lubriderm
Daily Moisture
with SPF15 Lotion
combines a broad
spectrum sunscreen
and body cream into
one smooth step;
from $3.
Avon Anew Dial-A-Glow
Anti-Agi ng Moisturizer
SPF 15 is the consummate
multitasker. It’s a fine line-
fighting moisturizer with
a hint of self tanner. Four
settings on the tube allow you
to dial up a personalized glow.
Pretty sun-sational; $32.
Q
High-energy pursuits require more than the
typical sunscreen.
Mission Product
was
developed with athletes for athletes (or the
athletic-minded). The high SPF products
are oil- and alcohol-free, sweat-resistant,
and long-lasting, and they won’t sting your
eyes, chafe, or leave a greasy feel; $
6
-$
2 0
.
118
JULY 2008 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
