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Question:Are there special considerations that we need to understand about using a physical sun block like Protect?Answer:Sunscreen is a critical part of a healthy skin care regimen and is definitely one of the things we want to consider, because the effects of the sun can be very damaging to our skin, not only in terms of wrinkling and in terms of aging, but also the development of skin cancers. It is important for people to know that when they use sunscreen, it's not something that you are going to use only on the weekends, when you go on vacation, or when you happen to be out on the golf course all day long. Sunscreen is really something that should be used on a daily basis. Much of our sun exposure happens when we are driving around in our cars, or when we are walking from our car into office buildings and stores. Therefore, sun care is really a necessary part of a daily skin care regimen. When we look at barrier versus chemical sunscreens, we need to be aware of the distinctions between these two types. Chemical sunscreens are the type that you see in most products and have big, long complicated names. Let's talk a little about the mechanism or method of action. When applied, chemical sunscreen is actually absorbed into the skin. When the sun's rays hit that chemical, there is an actual transformation of the chemical, and a new chemical is formed in the skin. The concern with this is that some of the chemicals that are being formed in the skin by the sun's rays may actually be procarcinogenic or cancer causing in and of themselves. Responsible sun care manufacturers are moving out of the world of chemical sunscreens into the world of barrier or protective sunscreens. The important message here is that there are two barrier or protective sunscreens, one being zinc oxide and the other being titanium dioxide. When applied to the skin, both of these sunscreens will provide a protective barrier, which is almost like an umbrella or a shield outside the skin. This means that there is actually something sitting on the outside of the skin. Because of this, you may see a very slight whitening effect to the skin. An example of this whitening effect is the zinc oxide that we used to put across our noses as little kids. It was very, very whitening. We have chosen to use titanium dioxide in our product. When we are out in the sun for long periods of time, we want to be extra diligent to make sure that we are applying sunscreen in adequate amounts, that we are applying it correctly and frequently enough to get full sun protection. Prior to using sunscreen, shake the product thoroughly. Make sure you are applying it to well hydrated skin (use Hydrate), as this will improve the application process and reduce some of the potential whitening effect to the skin. Let the product dry completely and don't over rub the product into the skin. Once it dries on the skin, go back a second time and rub again. Protect, which is a barrier sunscreen, has an SPF of 18. Remember that SPF (sun protection factor) is important. It tells you the amount of time you can safely spend in the sun. To understand how long you can stay out in the sun, multiply each number in the SPF rating by 20 minutes. With an SPF of 18, you can relish the joys of the spring sun and summer fun for up to 360 minutes (6 hours). However, we recommend that for any sunscreen, and this is actually the recommendation of the FDA, it needs to be reapplied every 3-4 hours as it wears off when you are being active. Taking the SPF to a higher level than that in Protect is not going to be a real benefit, since you need to reapply it in a few hours anyway. Remember that an SPF of 40 does not give you more sun protection. It only extends the time you can stay out in the sun. An SPF of 15-18 is plenty. In addition to titanium dioxide, Protect is full of wonderful emollients: chamomile, which calms the skin; Echinacea, which supports the immune system; and pomegranate, one of the most amazing anti-oxidants on the market that boosts the SPF. Protect is definitely a high quality product that should be used daily and it is especially helpful when spending time out in the sun.
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