Something New Under the Sun: Skin Protection in the Age of Global Warming

"...global warming because of manmade factors has been accelerating in recent years. In March [2016], a group of leading scientists—including Dr. James Hansen, widely regarded as the first person to have raised awareness on climate change—issued a report warning that the effects of global warming could come quicker and at a far bigger impact than originally thought." -Jonathon Chew, Fortune, 4/20/16

There is no denying that climate change affects every aspect of our lives—even skin care. At some point in the upward trajectory of levels of heat, pollution and UV emissions, protective skin care will transition from a cosmetic option to a health necessity. And because we aren’t used to thinking of skin care in that way, it will be a non-trivial leap.

But even though the necessity for comprehensive skin protection is new, it doesn’t have to be regarded as dire, doomsday, or even that much of a nuisance.

For most of us it simply means applying a zinc oxide only sunscreen, SPF 20 to 30, before we go outside, and takes less time than brushing your teeth.

Our suggestion—start now. Here are our sun protection suggestions by group:

Babies: up to one year

To use: Nothing! A little sun is better than putting stuff on their lovely skins. It’s a developing organ, so let it develop. In the case of lots of exposure, blankets, hats, cover ups, parasols, umbrellas and shade are all good.

To avoid: Keep washing with soap to a minimum. Yoghurt makes a great cleanser. The baby is developing its own protective mechanisms, and too much washing interferes with the skin’s natural course of development. Especially do not use soaps, shampoos, lotions or anything else “designed” for babies that contain mineral oil. Olive, safflower or sunflower oil good alternatives.

Kids

To use:

• Sunscreen: At the beach, zinc oxide-only sun protection is much more important than SPF numbers. An SPF 15 to 20 applied every two-three hours is fine. For everyday wear, apply once a day.
• Anti-oxidants: You may also brew a green tea spray to spritz them with as they race by. The polyphenols in green tea provide excellent sun protection. Pour 1-quart boiling water over 3-4 green tea bags, let steep, then refrigerate. Pour into a spray bottle before using.
• Physical: Hats, clothing, shade, parasols, umbrellas at the beach.

To avoid: Chemical sunscreens, especially those that contain oxybenzone, a suspected endocrine disruptor. Sunscreen sprays of any type, even zinc oxide based, pose an inhalation risk and don’t really cover skin adequately.

Men

To use: Sunscreen! The ADA reports that men between the ages of 15 to 39 are more than twice as likely to die of melanoma as compared to their female peers, and dermatologists suspect reluctance to wear sunscreen is part of the problem. Men, please get used to wearing a zinc oxide-only sunscreen, every single day.

To avoid: Sunscreen! Aye, there’s the rub. A 15-year study of 5,000 Danish men with an average age of 19 revealed that only 25% had a healthy sperm count, and Professor Jorgensen, one of the researchers, goes so far as to tell men not to wear sunscreen. Of course, he’s talking about chemical sunscreens with ingredients like oxybenzone that disrupt hormones. I am sure even he wouldn’t object to a zinc oxide-based sunscreen.

Aging skin

To use:

• Zinc oxide. Remember the mantra: UVB=burning, UVA = aging. The very long wavelength UVA rays, in particular, are associated with aging changes such as hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. This is, happily, just the range where zinc oxide really shows its protective muscle. For best protection wear a zinc oxide-only SPF 30 sunscreen every day.
• Anti-oxidants: most dermatologists agree that comprehensive sun protection should include anti-oxidants, which limit free radical damage. Vitamins C and E, and plant antioxidants like ferulic acid are good, especially when used in combination, as you benefit from a synergistic effect.
• Lipids and carotenoids: Oils high in EFAs of the EPA Omega-3 type protect against aging damage from inflammation, and oils from the carotenoid family (think of the super orange ones like astaxanthin and lycopene) provide some UVA protection.

To avoid:

• High SPF ratings. Don’t go higher than 30 since your UVA protection correlates negatively with very high SPF ratings, and it’s UVA protection you’re after.
• Chemical sunscreens: Chemicals in sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays, and over time break down and begin to generate free radicals on their own. Unless applied frequently, you may get more free radical damage from chemical sunscreens than you do from the sun itself. Oh, the irony.

Hyperpigmentation concerns

To use: Zinc oxide and iron oxides offer protection in the visible light range, which might be important for people suffering from hyperpigmentation and melasma.

To avoid:

• Anything that creates inflammation, including chemical-based sunscreens. Especially avoid high SPF-rated sunscreens as overexposure to UVA rays can damage DNA, leading to cell mutations and hyper pigmentation.
• Heat: thermal heat signals the skin to produce more melanin. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat, whether it’s exercising in the heat of the day or spending too much time in the sauna.
• Benzoyl peroxide and hydroquinone: These well-known photo-sensitizers can make your skin more vulnerable to skin cell damage, as can some medications. If you are taking a medication, check to see if photosensitization or hyperpigmentation are side effects.

At-risk groups

To use: A sunscreen with an SPF rating no higher than 30 that contains zinc oxide. A very interesting study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that the immune protection factor did not correlate with the SPF in a sunscreen, however it significantly correlated with UVA protective capability. The authors suggest rating sunscreens against their immune protective capability, which provides a better indication of their ability to protect against skin cancer.

To avoid: Chemical sunscreens, especially those with a high SPF rating. High SPF sunscreens, contrary to conventional wisdom, may not be your best cancer prevention tool—there are problems with high SPF ratings. For one thing, when sunburn warning signals are too efficiently blocked, users may stay out in the sun long enough to incur significant UVA damage. In addition, there’s a trade-off factor in sunscreens; sunscreens with high SPF ratings tend to protect less well at the longer wavelength end of the spectrum (and vice versa). If the immune protection factor correlates significantly with UVA protective capability (but not SPF) in a sunscreen, as the JID study attests, this finding turns conventional thinking on its head. They may even be counterproductive, in that you think you are being protected when you are not.

Note: For more on the topic of sun protection

9 Easy Steps to Sensible Sun Protection

Skin cancer
How to Find a Safe Sunscreen that Works/span>

SPF ratings and what they really mean
Scrutinize Sunscreen Ingredients, Not SPF Numbers
Understand Your Sunscreen: High SPFs Can Be Misleading

The real scoop on after-hours sun damage—chemiexcitation
Taking the Spin out of Sun Protection: It’s Dangerous to get it Wrong

Men’s skin care
A Sperm-Savers’ Shopping Guide
Listen Up, Guys! Sunscreen is Absolutely Essential for Men