Sun Protecton F. A. Q.

Serious Sun Protection for Sailors

Sailors are at much higher risk for skin cancer and UV ageing and why all sailors generally use one type of sunscreen or another. Water resistant formulations are the best. Not only does sunlight cause premature aging, but it is the leading factor in skin cancer and photodermatoses.

UVA & UVB

UVA and UVB radiation changes the cells in the skin by interfering with the proper working of the DNA, promotes the formation of free-radicals in the cell, causes the breakdown of collagen and inhibits the workings of the immune system.

When talking about UVA and UVB, it is important to keep in mind that although UVB is the cause of sunburn, it is really UVA that causes the skin to age with wrinkles, age spots and skin cancers. For this reason it is important to ensure when buying a sunscreen that it is effective for both UVA and UVB and that a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher is purchased.

UV Radiation Damage

Chronic UVB radiation causes photoaging, epidermal pigmentation, telangiectases, solar elastosis, as well as carcinogenesis, while acute UVB radiation results in erythema (blood vessel dilation) as well as edema (because of vascular hyper permeability).

As we age, we have a degeneration of collagen, but the introduction of sunlight speeds up this breakdown process and also causes the build-up of abnormal elastin.

‘Free radicals’ are formed with sun exposure. They are unstable oxygen molecules that scavenge other molecules, and in so doing set off a chain reaction which leads to cell deterioration.

UV radiation also causes the walls of blood vessels to lose some of their integrity, and in doing so can cause bruising in the skin. Sunlight, as we mentioned earlier, is the leading cause of skin cancer - including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

To help prevent skin damage due to sunlight, it is best to avoid sunburn by not tanning in the sun or at tanning parlors, wearing protective clothing, using a sunscreen lotion or cream and to consult with a dermatologist if you find any suspicious looking skin lesions or marks.

Indirect sunlight reflected off water, sails or even a boat deck is also damaging to your skin; indirect sunlight / reflected sunlight can still retain more than a third of its UV rays.

Although the statement that sun blocks block UV rays is partially correct, keep in mind that glass helps to screen UVB rays - the burning rays - but does very little to the penetration of UVA rays - these are the rays which cause aging and wrinkles.

What is SPF?

SPF is the abbreviation for Sun Protection Factor. In layman's language, one SPF is the amount of time in minutes that it takes your unprotected skin to become lightly reddened or irritated (erythemal) from being exposed to the sun. Each person has a different SPF based, among other things, on his/her skin type, amount of skin pigment (skin darkness), existing tan, and prior sun exposure.

The SPF number on sunscreen products indicates approximately how many times your normal SPF time is multiplied by correctly applying that product. As an example, if your personal SPF is 30 minutes and you choose to use an 8 SPF product, you would extend your time to reach the sensitivity to the sun as described above by eight (8) times.

The time would be calculated by multiplying your personal SPF time of 30 minutes by the SPF number on the sunscreen product which was 8. The total, in our example, is 4 hours (240 minutes). That means, in our example, the sun would have the same effect on your skin using properly applied SPF 8 sunscreen in four (4) hours as it would in one half hour without sunscreen.

Chemical Free Sunscreen

Ocean Racing sunscreen is a mineral based product that is both oil and chemical free. It contains Titanium Dioxide, Zinc and Iron Oxide but does not contain parabins or propolyne glycol, chemicals which some dermatologists suggest may be carcinogenic themselves.

You can wear Ocean Racing sunscreen all-day, everyday. It won't clog your pores, won't stain your clothes and won't sting your eyes. It’s specially formulated to be highly water resistant sun protection with total light spectrum protection and an SPF rating of 58. This distinction is important not only to people with light sensitive medical conditions, but to anyone who wants to keep their immune system healthy and to help prevent skin damage.

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Lip Balm with Sunscreen

With sailing in mind, Ocean Racing SPF 45 Lip Balm protects your lips from wind and sun, something sailors who’ve experienced lips that are both chapped and sunburned will appreciate! Like our sunscreen, out lip balm is mineral based and chemical free. It contains Titaanium and Zinc Oxide, is very moisturizing and fades to a nice, natural tone.

Handy sunscreen lip balm sticks slip in your pocket, backpack, or duffel to provide sun protection when you need it.

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