An Ounce of Prevention

This latest blog I’m dedicating to my cousin, who at the young age of 36 yrs, was just diagnosed with stage four melanoma cancer. My cousin is fair skinned and blue eyed and loved to be outside and snowboard.

I’ve already talked about smoking – on a vanity level. So let’s talk about the sun and our obsession with a “healthy glow” .Historically tan skin has  been in and out of fashion. For the last 5000 years, a tanned person meant low-class because they were outside laborers- think "farmer tan". Upper class ladies went to great lengths to keep fair skin; lead paint, arsenic, and layers and layers of clothing.

Since the industrial revolution, the lower-class suddenly went inside to the factories. The tables turned and only the very rich were able to have the luxury of time. Time to lay about outside, time to go on exotic and expensive vacations in the tropical south.

Fast forward a few decades to now; where we still long for the tan look and not caring about the consequences- just watch an episode of Jersey Shore and watch them obsess about their darker-the-better mentality. Listen to popular music on the ipod advocating not caring about the future, just about having fun “…and all that counts is here and now, “ I’m glad you came, The Wanted   

So what happens when you don’t care about the future , and just caring about looking good and having fun? Science shows us that:

·        One or more blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence more than double a person's chances of developing melanoma later in life.²⁴

·        A person's risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had more than five sunburns at any age.²⁵
http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts#treatment

And if science doesn’t do it for you- Take a look at these ladies:

Pam shows signs of her years of topless bathing, Lindsay is only in her twenties , but her fair skin just can't take it. 

So what should we do- we all know what to do, slather up in sunscreen. But after a little research, it’s a little more complicated than I realized. I can sum up new research in a few bullet points:

• -         You need 30+ SPF 30  min before you go outside- not 15 minutes like we've been told
• -        You need to pay attention to both UV and UA rays.
• -        There is no such thing as sweat proof or water proof, it just stays on a little longer.
• -        You need to reapply every 2 hours in full sun, and after going in the water.
• -        Moderate exposure in sunlight (with protection) is good for you.
• -        You can still get UV/UA rays on a chilly, cloudy days, so just suck it up and put it on anyway!
• -        You need to put on enough sunblock to fill a shot glass.
• -        70% of people do not put enough sun-block on.

What do I use?

I got the Olay Regenerist 30spf  for $18.00- at Costco

Cheap, effective, preventative.

Happy face-saving, and life-saving,!

Smoking is the Anti-Aging Deal Breaker

    I remember being in my 20’s when you could eat like crap and stay out all night but not have to pay too dearly afterward. Now in my thirties I recognize how little that time frame of “no consequences” really is. It’s only about 8 years that you can do “whatever you want” to your body and not seem to do any real harm to your body. Again I say “seem” to do any harm because none of us can look inside or readily do any screen tests on ourselves.

    Let me be clear, I’m not talking about cancer in any form; however cancer can sure bite anyone’s efforts of looking young in the bud quickly! I will try, instead, to appeal to your vanity.

     I remember watching an episode of Third Rock from the Sun, where Dick (the alien) discovers smoking. The female says” Dick- that can take ten years off of your life!” Dick replies, “but they only take it off of the end of your life, those are the crappy years anyway.”  I know, I remember feeling that way in my twenties too. 

    We know sun exposure and smoking are the big anti-aging no, nos.  However when comparing anti-aging, and not counting cancer, smoking seems to age a woman faster. In WebMD states that for a “social smoker”*  middle age comes in their early thirties. We are "young" for about 20 years, and "old"   for about 60+years if lucky. We are older longer than we are younger; we need to take care of ourselves!

    The term “smoker’s face” is an actual medical term. The smoke literally suffocates the blood supply of oxygen causing wrinkles, sagging, dryness etc. You can see some effects of reversal if you quit- but sadly your skin will never be the same. 

* ( meaning that they only smoke when out with friends)

And if this didn’t convince you,  these stars were the hotties about 30-15 years ago. They smoked, tanned and drank:

 

Bridget Bordeaux- blonde bombshell, smoked and tanned ,
she was gorgeous....for about five years.

Kathleen Turner- She was famous for her Jessica Rabbit voice...

  which came from smoking...

Poor Melanie Griffith, She battled drugs and alcohol, and smoking.

And now an example of someone who did NOT smoke:

This woman took care of herself. She has not smoked, tanned,

but does exercise and has eats well.

We love Helen Mirren!

I will now get off my soapbox but before I do I will apply sunscreen and thankfully not (or will never) light up;p