Hello Ironpraxis,
I've answered your numerous questions in the order in which you
asked them. Some answers will necessarily overlap several questions.
1)Are there any other sources of getting freckles?
==================================================
No. Not usually. You can blame only sunlight, your family genetics and
tanning beds. Freckles can?t develop without sun exposure! People at
high risk are fair skinned people with blonde or read hair, and blue
eyes. However, some hormones and medications can cause skin
discoloration. ?In terms of the rest of your question, medication
interactions and hormone imbalances may cause a huge variety of
problems. This is not a usual cause of freckles though.
Hypo-parathyroidism presents often as hot,flushed skin and not as
freckles.?
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/apr2002/1018964777.Me.r.html
How important is heredity with freckles?
The answer, it now appears, is: "Very important." In studies of twins,
including pairs of identical twins and pairs of fraternal
(nonidentical) twins, it has been found that among identical twin
pairs, there was a striking similarity in the total number of freckles
found on each person. Such similarities were considerably less common
in fraternal twins. This clearly confirms that the occurrence of
freckles is influenced by genetic factors. In fact, the variations in
freckle counts appear to be due largely to heredity.
http://www.medicinenet.com/freckles/page5.htm#5howimportant
2)For instance, extremely hot/humid weather or indoor tanning?
==============================================================
Humidity and hot weather have no bearing on freckle formation, unless
you are in the sun. You can get freckles and sun damage from being
outside on a humid or an arid day, a hot or cold day. As long as the
sun is in the sky, and you are outside, you are putting yourself at
risk. Damaging rays can also pass through to your skin on cloudy days.
As far as tanning beds - they are a bad idea for anyone, but fair
skinned people are at a higher risk.
?Avoid other sources of UV light. The use of tanning beds and sun
lamps is hazardous because the ultraviolet radiation they deliver can
damage your skin. Therefore, you shouldn?t use them. There is growing
evidence that they may increase your risk of developing melanoma. This
is an area of active research.?
http://www.texashealth.org/main.asp-enorgid--level-3-id--name-Home/THRInfo/NewsRoom/THRHealthNews-article-9EE8919F6AFB4B8D9DA37C2CC85F327F
?Tanning booths are designed to produce much greater amounts of
ultraviolet radiation in a given time than the sun, posing both short
and long term-risks to the skin. This allows a person to get a tan
with much less exposure time than is necessary with sunlight. It also
means that you must keep accurate track of your time in the tanning
booth, because extra minutes can result in ?sunburn? and skin damage.
Tanning beds and booths have the same cancer-causing UV radiation as
the sun, and in many instances is up to 10 times as damaging as the
sun itself.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute found people who use tanning
devices were 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to have common kinds of skin
cancer than people who did not use the devices. However, the risk is
far greater for kids (before age 20):
- 3.6 times greater to squamous cell cancer
- 1.8 times greater for basal cell cancer
We should treat sun tanning devices with adolescents the same as we do
other carcinogenic exposures such as tobacco.
The American Medical Association (AMA) and American Academy of
Dermatology have been calling for a ban of the sale and use of suntan
parlor equipment for non-medical purposes. Dermatologists have urged
the FDA to take action to discourage use of suntan beds.
According to the Report on Carcinogens, Ninth Edition of the FDA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage avoidance
of sunlamps and sun beds.?
http://www.evansvillecancercenter.com/headlines/skincancer.html
?Tanning Beds Not A Good Idea For Fair Skin
Reuters Health reports that there is an increased risk of developing
melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, in tanning bed
users, especially those with fairer skin.
However, the increased risk of melanoma seems small.
On the other hand, the researchers say it may be too soon to measure
the full effect of sunbeds, or tanning beds, on melanoma risk since
the popularity of tanning salons has increased dramatically in recent
years.
Many studies have detected a connection between sun exposure and the
risk of melanoma, the authors note. But other factors besides sun
exposure, such as skin type, may also affect the risk of this type of
skin cancer.
However, the risk of melanoma was significantly higher in young people
with fair skin who used sunbeds, the study found. And people who had
experienced 10 or more severe sunburns were also more likely to
develop melanoma.?
http://www.largeheartedboy.com/massage/archive/2004/04/tanning_beds_no.html
3)If not, what is it that the sun emits that causes you to create
freckles?
===================================================================
Ultra-violet rays, known as UVA and UVB, emitted from the sun
stimulate the skin?s cells production of melanin.
?The dark color of a freckle is due to a pigment called melanin that
is produced in the skin by everyone except albinos. There is an
inherited difference in the amount of melanin in different races, and
also considerable variation within the same race. The function of the
melanin is to absorb the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, reducing
damge to deeper tissues in the body. So specialized pigment-producing
cells in the skin, called melanocytes, make more melanin when we spend
more time in the sun. This produces a tan when the melanin is evenly
distributed within the skin. In many fair-skinned individuals,
however, some melanocytes make more melanin than others. The area
around these melanocytes gets darker than other parts of the skin,
producing a freckle. The freckles tend to appear on parts of the body
that are exposed to more light, like the face and shoulders.?
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/may2000/959378970.Ge.r.html
?The major human pigment is called melanin and it is produced by cells
in the skin called melanocytes. Melanin production is controlled by
genetics as well as exposure to sunlight. If a person is dark
skinned, then his/her melanocytes are metabolically more active and
make not only more melanin but also a darker variety of the pigment.
Everyone except albinos have the ability to produce melanin. When a
person is exposed to sunlight, the melanocytes are stimulated to make
more melanin. Evolutionary biologists think this is due to the
protection from harmful U.V. radiation that darker skin affords to
dark skinned people.
Since we think that the first humans lived in very sunny areas, it
makes sense that those people who didn't die of skin cancer(caused by
too much sun exposure) would be the ones to pass their genes on to
their offspring.
Freckles are small patches of melanin the accumulate in the skin and
can be made more noticable and more abundant by sun exposure. They
are more usual in light skinned people, particularly people with
reddish hair. This is due to genetics and freckles don't seem to play
any role in disease or in any other aspect of one's life. They
neither harm nor help - they just are!! If you have them, enjoy them
as many people think that they are nice looking.?
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/oct98/909788915.An.r.html
?Skin comes in many colours. If your skin is exposed to the sun's
ultraviolet rays, it will burn, and cause damage that may not reveal
itself for many years. Following a burn, skin may tan, turning a shade
of brown. If your skin tans evenly, it will be brown all over. But it
might only tan in certain spots ... in which case you'll have
freckles!?
?Your skin contains melanocytes which release melanin into the
surrounding cells when sunlight hits them. The purpose of this is so
that the brown pigment will protect the lower layers of skin from
further burning.
Some people have melanin which is darker, so their skin is a darker
brown. Some people have skin which produces more melanin than others,
so their skin is darker too, especially after being exposed to the
sun. In some people the melanin is clumped together rather than spread
out evenly, so they have brown patches ... called freckles.?
?Freckles aren't dangerous, and are not a sign of disease or skin
problems. However ...
Sunlight contains two types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB. UVB
radiation is what causes burning of the skin (sunburn), skin cancer,
wrinkles, and premature aging of the skin.
UVA rays cause tanning, but are linked to problems such as impaired
vision, skin rashes, and allergic or other reactions to drugs.
Skin damage from overexposure to the sun is cumulative. It continues
to add up over the years, and cannot be reversed. You should always
wear UV-blocking lotion when outside, even when it's cloudy (UV rays
aren't stopped by clouds). This is especially important for children,
as most of the permanent damage to your skin happens before age 18.?
http://www.wcsscience.com/freckles/page.html
4)Is there a way to avoid forming freckles?
===========================================
Stay out of the sun and wear a GOOD sunscreen, with a high SPF.
?Use sunscreen to reduce the amount of UV light exposure. Sunscreens
with a SPF factor of 15 or more should be used on areas of the skin
exposed to the sun, particularly when the sunlight is strong. Always
follow directions when applying sunscreen, and apply it before going
outside. Many sunscreens wear off with sweating and swimming and must
be reapplied for maximum effectiveness. Use sunscreen even on hazy
days or days with light or broken cloud cover because UV light still
comes through.?
http://www.texashealth.org/main.asp-enorgid--level-3-id--name-Home/THRInfo/NewsRoom/THRHealthNews-article-9EE8919F6AFB4B8D9DA37C2CC85F327F
?To slow down or avoid the further development of freckles, as well as
to prevent the ones you already have from getting darker, reduce your
sun exposure and use sunscreen when you're out in the sun. Some folks
try to use bleach to lighten their freckles, but it won't help, plus
it can be irritating to the skin. The only way to remove freckles is
through laser surgery, which can be costly.
What you may not know is that freckles can be a risk factor for skin
cancer (a.k.a., melanoma). According to the American Cancer Society,
fair-skinned folks who are prone to freckling or burning are at
particularly high risk for skin cancer. Applying sunscreen and
limiting or avoiding sun exposure not only help with the freckles, as
mentioned earlier, but they have the added benefit of reducing skin
cancer risk. If either of these concerns is real to you, or for more
information, you might want to see a dermatologist to talk about your
options.?
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1893.html
?If you have a lot of moles or freckles it can be quite difficult to
keep track of them so you can notice if one has changed. It pays to
get to know your skin. Get someone else to check the bits you can't
see, such as your back, head and neck, or use a mirror to check these
areas yourself?and don't forget the soles of your feet. Or you can go
to your GP or a skin clinic to get your skin checked regularly.
Remember, most skin cancers can be cured?if they're found early.
http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=3419
?Use sunscreen. Wear a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
The product should contain one or more of the following active
ingredients: Parsol® 1789 (avobenzone), titanium dioxide and zinc
oxide. Apply the sunscreen every day when you get up, and reapply
every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Wear a hat. Get a broad-brimmed hat without mesh or weave that could
let light through. A hat is a great way to take shade with you
everywhere, and it will keep the sun from directly hitting your face.
Avoid peak sun hours. If you can, don?t go outside between the hours
of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as this is when the sun is most intense.
Stay out of tanning beds. These devices expose your skin to lots of
pigment-inducing UV radiation, and it?s only inches from your skin.
One tanning bed session is equal to a whole day spent at the beach.?
?Try fading creams. Look for over-the-counter fading creams containing
hydroquinone. Make sure to buy a preparation that comes in a tube or
pump so the product is not repeatedly exposed to air and light. This
would cause the ingredients to break down and become ineffective.
Follow the directions and precautions on the package.
Be consistent. Even a few minutes of unprotected sun exposure each day
will add up, such as the rays your skin absorbs from walking to the
mailbox and getting in and out of your car. And don?t rely on your car
or house windows to shield you from the rays, because most of the
pigment-causing UV rays still come through them. You will set yourself
back in your skin-lightening endeavor if you aren?t consistent in your
efforts.?
http://skin-care.health-cares.net/freckle-prevention.php
5)Does it depend on the person?
6)Does it depend on what kind of skin you have?
================================================
All people are prone to freckles, but fair skinned people with blue
eyes and blonde or red hair are at an even higher risk of developing
freckles.
?Someone with a light complexion has less melanin (say: meh-luh-nun)
in his or her skin. Melanin is a chemical produced by certain skin
cells (called melanocytes) that helps protect the skin from sun damage
by reflecting and absorbing ultraviolet (UV) rays.
The more melanin you have in your skin, the tanner you look! People
with fair skin have less melanin in their skin to begin with, but some
of their melanocytes make more melanin when exposed to the sun. So
instead of easily getting an even suntan, they sometimes get
freckles.?
http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/freckles.html
?People differ of course a great deal in their reaction to sunlight.
To take an extreme example, there is no pigmentation in the skin of an
albino because of a defect in melanin metabolism. On the other hand,
people with dark complexions are relatively less sensitive to sun
exposure than fair-skinned persons. However, persons with dark skin
are not entirely resistant to the effects of the sun, and they, too,
can become sunburned with prolonged exposure. Persons with blonde or
red hair are especially susceptible since they tend to be the fairest
skinned.?
http://www.medicinenet.com/freckles/page4.htm#4howdo
?Don't try to hide your freckles. You may not appreciate them, but
they are part of you. Exposure to sunlight makes freckles darker so
avoiding the sun and using a sunscreen will keep them in check. As you
get older, they can fade -- and then they won't be an issue.?
http://ipaki.com/content/html/133/1132.html
?There are two basic types of freckles -- both with somewhat strange
names -- ephelides and lentigines:
1. Ephelides (singular: ephelis, the Greek word for freckle): This
term refers to flat spots that are red or light-brown and typically
appear during the sunny months and fade in the winter. They are most
often found in people with light complexions and in some families,
they are an hereditary (genetic) trait. The regular use of sunscreen
during times of sun exposure helps to suppress the appearance of the
ephelis-type freckle.
2. Lentigines (singular: lentigo, from the Latin word for lentil):
Children may develop a small tan, brown, or black spot which tends to
be darker than an ephelis-type freckle and which does not fade in the
winter. This kind of spot is referred to as lentigo simplex. Although
occasionally lentigines are part of a rare genetic syndrome, for the
most part they are just isolated and unimportant spots.
?The term "liver spots" is entirely misleading. These spots have
nothing whatsoever to do with the liver. They are just the
lentigo-type freckles that are commonly seen in older people who are
or who have been out in the sun without sufficient sunscreen.?
http://www.medicinenet.com/freckles/page2.htm
Freckle prevention is obviously better than developing them and then
needing to treat them. Therefore, anyone with an hereditary tendency
to freckle -- who freckles easily -- should wear sunscreen whenever
appropriate and also minimize their sun exposure. The aim here is
twofold -- to suppress their tendency to produce freckles and, much
more importantly, to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.
The tendency to freckle easily goes along with the tendency to
sun-sensitive skin cancer. Freckles are a warning to people who have
them that their skin is highly vulnerable to sunburn and to skin
cancer.
http://www.medicinenet.com/freckles/page7.htm
7)Are there any products that prevent the formation of freckles?
================================================================
A good sunscreen is your best bet.
?like Paula Begoun's sunscreen -- all of her products, actually, are
inexpensive and effective. Here's her webpage about sunscreen with
some useful information, too: Whatever sunscreen you use, check the
ingredients carefully and make sure they're the ones that actually
work.
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=SUN&ID=31
This is the one I use; it's not too greasy and I particularly like it
because it doesn't have an obnoxious fragrance:
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/shop/product.asp?CODE=PC140&PAGETYPE=S
Highlights from the article:
SPF is crucial, but it is only a measurement regarding sunburn (UVB)
rays. It is dangerous for your skin to not have UVA protection and
many sunscreens do not have ingredients that can provided true
full-spectrum (both UVA and UVB) coverage. There are no numbers to
tell you about protection from UVA radiation. For that protection you
have to check the active ingredient list to see if either zinc oxide,
titanium dioxide, avobenzone (which may also be listed as Parsol 1789
or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane), Mexoryl SX, or Tinosorb (Mexoryl SX
and Tinosorb are only available in products sold outside the US). If
one of those isn't part of the active ingredient list (it doesn't
count if it is just part of the regular or "other" ingredients) you
are not applying adequate UVA protection and that is dangerous for
your skin.
Oxybenzone (also called benzophenone-3) is a sunscreen ingredient that
sounds similar to avobenzone, but is not the same. There are several
sunscreen ingredients approved for use in the United States for
sunburn protection.
While benzophenones and oxybenzone do provide some UVA protection,
they are not as effective as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone,
Mexoryl SX, or Tinosorb.?
?And what's most important is that you have to put enough on (it's
more than you think) and reapply every 150-180 minutes. I usually
remember to put it on the morning for the kids and I, but I'm bad
about reapplication as the day goes on!
Also, if it drips into your eyes when you sweat, my dr's tip was to
use a lip balm with spf 30 and rub that across your eyebrows, it helps
with the draining into your eyes of the regular sunscreen as the day
heats up and so do you!?
http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/Forum6/HTML/014385.shtml
8)If you already have embarrassing freckles in the facial area, is
there a way to get rid of them?
===================================================================
?Since melanin is accumulated in the upper layer of the skin, you
might want to consider skin lightening and peeling. There are
different products that can be used for this purpose:
· Hydroquinone has been a very popular treatment, however it can
irritate the skin.
· Kojic acid, discovered in Japan in 1989, is a natural product
derived from fungi (mushroom). It is gentle on the skin and very
effective in treating skin discoloration. Penetrating upper skin
layers, it inhibits the formation of the pigment.
· Alpha-hydroxy acids help to shed old cells faster, therefore they
will be helpful as well. By removing the outer skin cells, which are
usually darker, you will make your freckles or age spots lighter and
less visible.
If you decide to use any of the above products, extra sun protection
is imperative. If necessary, apply an SPF cream several times a day.
By using skin lighteners and peels, you affect the upper darker layer.
Lower layers are lighter, with less melanin present. If you don't
protect your skin, it will launch its own defense mechanism producing
more melanin. This will result in darker and more intensive
discoloration, which can be even harder to get rid of.
Please remember that skin discoloration (excluding pregnancy mask,
which should disappear after the delivery) require consistent
treatment. Once you stop using lighteners and protection, the dark
patches will be back. But keeping up with your skin regiment is not
difficult: all you need is a gentle yet effective lightener and a
moisturizer with complete UV protection - against both UVB and UVA
rays.?
http://www.exploringwomanhood.com/mindbodysoul/beauty/freckles.htm
?How can freckles be treated?
To treat freckles that are already present, several safe and effective
methods are available:
1. Bleaching creams -- Products containing hydroquinone and kojic acid
can be purchased without a prescription. Higher concentrations of
hydroquinone (over 2%) require a prescription. These products can
lighten freckles if they are applied consistently over a period of
months.
2. Tretinoin -- Sometimes used in conjunction with other bleaching
creams, tretinoin (vitamin A acid, Retin-A) also helps to make
freckles lighter when applied over a period of time.
3. Cryosurgery -- A light freeze with liquid nitrogen can be used to
treat freckles.
4. Laser treatment -- Several lasers, especially ones that produce a
green light, can lighten and eliminate freckles safely and
effectively. Like cryosurgery, this is a simple and safe procedure
with a high success rate and a low risk of scarring.
http://www.medicinenet.com/freckles/page8.htm
Q: How do you get rid of freckles
A: Various lightening creams are available in the market, which claim
to lighten freckles. ou could try them to see if they work for you.
YWear sunscreen before stepping out, and stay out of the sun in the
afternoons, when it is strongest. Wear a cap when you are out in the
sun to sheild your face from harsh sunrays. Sun protection is the most
effective way to prevent further freckles from forming.
Q:Thanks for answering my previous question. I have lots of
black/brown spots on my face. I have been told that they are freckles
and they will not go away. Is there any type of foundation I can use
to hide this..
A: Avoid the sun, or you will develop more freckles. You can apply any
foundation that matches your skin colour to conceal freckles. You
could also apply a little concealor before applying foundation, if you
feel that the foundation is not concealing your freckles enough.
Q: I am an 18 yr old girl. I have many freckles on my face as i have
to go out daily. I have a fair complexion and it looks bad. Please
help me overcome this problem. Please suggest any homemade remedy
which will not harm my skin, as my skin is very sensitive.
Make it a point to apply sunscreen on your face fifteen minutes before
stepping out. Avoid being out in the sun in the afternoon, when it is
at its harshest. While in the sun, you could wear a cap. Apply a
mixture of lemon and honey (equal amounts) to your face, and wash off
after ten minutes. This usually suits all skin types.
http://www.indiaparenting.com/faqs/beauty/freckles.shtml
Additional Freckle Information
Freckles at a Glance
http://www.medicinenet.com/freckles/page9.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/freckles/index.htm
I hope this is the information you were expecting. If any part of this
answer is unclear, please do not rate it, without asking for an Answer
Clarification. This will enable me to assist you further, if possible.
Regards, Crabcakes
Search Terms
============
Cause of freckles
Avoiding freckles
Tanning beds + freckles
Heredity + freckles |
Clarification of Answer by
crabcakes-ga
on
26 Jun 2005 22:55 PDT
Hello ironpraxis,
"Lentigines are due to accumulated pigment cells (melanocytic hyperplasia)."
Benign lentigines can be faded with careful sun protection with broad
spectrum sunscreen daily, and regular applications of anti-aging
creams containing hydroquinone, or antioxidants such as:
* alpha hydroxy acids
* vitamin-C
* retinoids
* azelaic acid.
However, they can be removed more effectively by chemical peels,
cryotherapy or certain pigment lasers. These may produce a green
light, which is absorbed by melanin:
* Flashlamp-pulsed tunable dye
* Frequency doubled Q-switched Nd:YAG (neodynium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet)
* KTP
* Krypton
* copper bromide laser
Or a red light, also absorbed by melanin:
* Q-switched Alexandrite - red light
* Q-switched Ruby - red light
Intense pulsed light (Photoderm) has a similar effect. Carbon dioxide
and Erbium:YAG lasers vaporise the surface skin thus removing the
pigmented lesions.
Results are variable but sometimes very impressive with minimal risk of scarring.
With superficial resurfacing techniques, there is minimal discomfort
and no down-time but several treatments are often necessary.
Unfortunately the treatment occasionally makes the pigmentation worse.
Continued careful sun protection is essential, because the
pigmentation is likely to recur next summer.
http://dermnetnz.org/lesions/freckles.html
You will have to wear sunscreen and a cap to prevent formation of more
freckles. As mentioned in the original answer, you can get damaging
effects of sun rays on your skin on a cloudy day, as they penetrate
the clouds.
This is how I answered your original question #4
4)Is there a way to avoid forming freckles?
===========================================
Stay out of the sun and wear a GOOD sunscreen, with a high SPF.
?Use sunscreen to reduce the amount of UV light exposure. Sunscreens
with a SPF factor of 15 or more should be used on areas of the skin
exposed to the sun, particularly when the sunlight is strong. Always
follow directions when applying sunscreen, and apply it before going
outside. Many sunscreens wear off with sweating and swimming and must
be reapplied for maximum effectiveness. Use sunscreen even on hazy
days or days with light or broken cloud cover because UV light still
comes through.?
http://www.texashealth.org/main.asp-enorgid--level-3-id--name-Home/THRInfo/NewsRoom/THRHealthNews-article-9EE8919F6AFB4B8D9DA37C2CC85F327F
?To slow down or avoid the further development of freckles, as well as
to prevent the ones you already have from getting darker, reduce your
sun exposure and use sunscreen when you're out in the sun. Some folks
try to use bleach to lighten their freckles, but it won't help, plus
it can be irritating to the skin. The only way to remove freckles is
through laser surgery, which can be costly.
What you may not know is that freckles can be a risk factor for skin
cancer (a.k.a., melanoma). According to the American Cancer Society,
fair-skinned folks who are prone to freckling or burning are at
particularly high risk for skin cancer. Applying sunscreen and
limiting or avoiding sun exposure not only help with the freckles, as
mentioned earlier, but they have the added benefit of reducing skin
cancer risk. If either of these concerns is real to you, or for more
information, you might want to see a dermatologist to talk about your
options.?
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1893.html
?If you have a lot of moles or freckles it can be quite difficult to
keep track of them so you can notice if one has changed. It pays to
get to know your skin. Get someone else to check the bits you can't
see, such as your back, head and neck, or use a mirror to check these
areas yourself?and don't forget the soles of your feet. Or you can go
to your GP or a skin clinic to get your skin checked regularly.
Remember, most skin cancers can be cured?if they're found early.
http://www.mydr.com.au/default.asp?article=3419
?Use sunscreen. Wear a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
The product should contain one or more of the following active
ingredients: Parsol® 1789 (avobenzone), titanium dioxide and zinc
oxide. Apply the sunscreen every day when you get up, and reapply
every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Wear a hat. Get a broad-brimmed hat without mesh or weave that could
let light through. A hat is a great way to take shade with you
everywhere, and it will keep the sun from directly hitting your face.
Avoid peak sun hours. If you can, don?t go outside between the hours
of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as this is when the sun is most intense.
Stay out of tanning beds. These devices expose your skin to lots of
pigment-inducing UV radiation, and it?s only inches from your skin.
One tanning bed session is equal to a whole day spent at the beach.?
?Try fading creams. Look for over-the-counter fading creams containing
hydroquinone. Make sure to buy a preparation that comes in a tube or
pump so the product is not repeatedly exposed to air and light. This
would cause the ingredients to break down and become ineffective.
Follow the directions and precautions on the package.
***!!!*** Be consistent. Even a few minutes of unprotected sun exposure each day
will add up, such as the rays your skin absorbs from walking to the
mailbox and getting in and out of your car. And don?t rely on your car
or house windows to shield you from the rays, because most of the
pigment-causing UV rays still come through them. You will set yourself
back in your skin-lightening endeavor if you aren?t consistent in your
efforts.?
http://skin-care.health-cares.net/freckle-prevention.php
"The key is to avoid being in the sun or using sunlamps. If you're
going to be in the sun for any length of time, wear clothes made from
tight-woven cloth so the sun's rays can't get through to your skin,
and stay in the shade when you can. Wear a hat to protect your face,
neck and ears, as well as sunglasses.
Remember that clouds and water won't protect you - 60% to 80% of the
sun's rays can get through clouds and can reach swimmers at least one
foot below the surface of the water. Snow, white sands and concrete
can reflect the sun's rays and
increase sun exposure."
"Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more, which
has both UVA and UVB protection. If you're at a high altitude (such as
in the mountains), if you plan to be outside a long time or if you
sunburn easily, you may want to use a sunscreen with an SPF that's
higher than 15.
Tips on preventing skin cancer (Substitute "freckles" every time you
encounter the word "cancer")
Avoid the sun, especially from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the
sun's rays are the strongest.
Don't use tanning beds or sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing and hats.
Seek shade or make your own shade.
Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher which has both UVA and UVB protection.
Check your skin yourself regularly for signs of skin cancer.
If you see an area on your skin that looks unusual, ask your
family doctor about it.
Be sure you put the sunscreen everywhere the sun's rays might touch
you, including your ears, the back of your neck and bald areas of your
scalp. Put more on every hour if you're sweating or swimming."
http://www.cfpc.ca/English/cfpc/programs/patient%20education/skin%20cancer/default.asp?s=1
"A Safe Tan
A sunscreen is essential to prevent sunburn and skin damage. Sun
blocks work by trapping the ultraviolet rays and prevent them from
entering the skin. Gradual exposure to the sun with a proper
sunscreen will permit the optimal production of melanin (skin cell
pigments) which turns your skin brown. This melanin provides some
protection against sunburn. Gradual exposure will also thicken the
outer layer of the skin helping to protect the skin from UV rays.
Sunscreen products use a sun protection factor (SPF) system to show
how much protection they offer. Which SPF you need to use depends on
how easily you normally burn. An average, fairly sensitive skin will
begin to burn after about 20 minutes in the sun (if there is no
protection used). The SPF tells you how many times longer than normal
you can spend in the sun. For example, if you would normally tan
after about 20 minutes, an SPF 15 will allow you to spend 20 x 15 =
300 minutes (5 hours) in the sun without burning. If you have very
fair and sensitive skin this time will be reduced, if your skin is not
sensitive, you can stay in the sun a little longer.
Hints and Tips
* Always use a SPF of 15 or more.
* Stay out of the sun wherever possible between 11am and 3pm as
this is when the sun is at its brightest and can cause the most damage
to your skin.
* Avoid long periods in direct sunlight, try and sit and play in the shade.
* Apply sun tan lotion 20 minutes before facing the sun and
continue to reapply throughout the day.
* Water filters out only 30% of the sun's UV rays so you can still
burn even underwater. Apply sunscreen after swimming, even if the
product claims to be waterproof.
* Up to 80% of the sun's rays can break through cloud, so still
apply cream even on an overcast day.
* The sun is particularly intense at high altitudes and in the
mountains because there is less atmosphere to block out the rays.
* Sun reflects off shiny surfaces, water and snow. Extra
protection should be taken to allow for this.
* Pay particular attention to areas of your body that are not
often exposed such as the soles of your feet. Women should be extra
careful if sunbathing topless - use a high SPF cream.
* Special care should be taken with children as they have more
delicate skin. Visible opaque white or coloured sun block creams
prevent all light from entering the skin. They are useful for
high-risk areas like the nose, lips and shoulders. They are also very
useful to protect children and babies. Avoid allowing babies outside
when the sun is hot.
* Cover up. A wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and a light cotton
shirt over the shoulders will provide the most effective protection."
http://www.trafford.gov.uk/cme/live/cme991.htm
The higher the number of SPF (Sun protection factor), the better. I,
being fair, use a baby sunscreen of SPF 50. I keep a bottle in my car
and smear it on before I drive, hoping to avoid skin damage.
Consider the damage sun does to your skin. I understand that many
young people believe a tan makes them more attractive; but they will
pay for it in the long run with melanomas (an often fatal skin
cancer), wrinkles, freckles and brown spots. If you truly want to
avoid freckles, you will have to wear a sunscreen and a hat when you
go out in the sun.
If you are interested in knowing more about sunscreens, consider
posting a new question. In the meantime, you may find these answers
useful:
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=353377
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=350587
Regards, Crabcakes
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