Thread: Sun Protection
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Old 04-14-2008, 12:25 AM   #2
pa59
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 7
The towelette product above looks like it would be convenient and easy to carry and apply, and SPF 30 is a good level of daily sun protection for most people. If you have a history of skin cancer or precancerous lesions or fall into a category of increased risk for melanoma (based on family history, history of childhood sunburns, having lots of moles or certain type of mole) then you should probably be using at least an SPF 45 or higher. It is also important that your sunscreen has a UVA blocker such as Avobenzone (most sunscreen chemicals primarily block UVB which gives you a sunburn, but UVA causes the long term damage from the sun such as skin cancer and aging of the skin). The two brands of sunscreen that have longer acting avobenzone are Neutrogena and Aveeno. I think one of the nicest sunscreens available is Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock, which comes in SPF 45, 55, and 70. The SPF 70 is quite waterproof and will protect well even on a long day on the water. If this feels too greasy, it does come in an SPF 45 mist spray which is lighter but needs to be reapplied during the day.
As far as the issue of vitamin D is concerned, although it is possible to become vitamin D deficient if you protect very strictly from the sun and do not take enough dietary vitamin D, you can get all the vitamin D you need by taking a daily vitamin D supplement. Most calcium supplements have vitamin D combined with the calcium, and any of us approaching 50 should probably be taking a daily supplement of calcium 500 - 600 mg with vitamin D 400 IU.
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