Terra Cotta Sun, Indigo Waters

Whew! It is so hot. I had a nap but the scorching heat interrupted its peace. What a feeling (!) to be waking up perspiring.

I wish to be drenched in the pool water, or the beach. But wait, we scratched the beach from the list already. Talk about sunburn that lasted long (like more than 6 months!). Our fault anyway not to bring sunscreen lotion last year because it was a decision done in haste. We will never head anymore to the beach (or the pool) unprotected.

It was a lesson very well learned and the conviction was more encouraged after reading about sun exposure. Here go the facts about the harmful effects of the sun and ways to protect the skin:*

• 60-80% of the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays penetrates clouds.
• There are four sun’s light waves and they are categorized by their intensity:

1. UVA (ultraviolet A) – have the longest wavelength and they penetrate into the skin’s deepest layer, the dermis. They accelerate skin ageing.
2. UVB (ultraviolet B) – rays that only penetrate the skin’s upper layer (epidermis). They are responsible for skin cancers, allergies and sunburn.
3. UVC (ultraviolet C) – rays that are the most damaging but do not reach us because they are filtered by the ozone layer. But with the thinning of the ozone layer, there is rising concern regarding exposure to these rays.
4. IR (Infra-red) – light that is felt as heat and inflames cells. It disrupts the skin’s support network of collagen and elastin and damages the immune system

• There are two types of sun-protection filters in sunscreen products:

1. Physical filters – they sit on the skin’s surface and reflect, rather than absorb, ultraviolet rays. They repel radiation at all wavelengths (including infra-red waves).
2. Chemical filters – absorb ultraviolet light like a sponge and prevent the sun’s rays from penetrating and attacking the skin. They can be mixed into any base, dissolved in gels, lotions, moisturizing cream bases and waterproof formulations.

• The SPF (sun-protection factor) of a product refers to the length of time you can remain in the sun safely. Multiply the SPF by the number of minutes you can stay in the sun unprotected without burning. For example, if you can be exposed 10 minutes under the sun without starting to go red, using a sunscreen with SPF 15 can extend your exposure to 150 minutes.
• Look for a SPF product that best suits your skin type. Use a gel formulation with physical filters for oily, problem skin. Use cream or lotion with its moisturizing properties for dry skin.
• Stay out of the sun between 11am to 3pm when the sun is at its strongest and deadliest.
• See your dermatologist when pityriasis versicolor (an organism that changes during sun exposure and produces a chemical which disables the pigment-producing cells) appears on the upper body as small, white patches after sun exposure.

If I have magic, I will bring about the terra cotta sun and indigo waters. That way the weather will be cloudy with the sun around.

* J. Campsie 1997, Inner Health Outer Beauty, pp 143-147.