Tag Archives: Sunburn

Overdone The Sun? Soleve Sunburn Relief Review by Margaret Graham

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With summer, perhaps at last here, Frost is interested in Soleve Sunburn Relief. This means, that if the worst happens, and you sit out in the sun for too long you can make sure you have some help.Not only is Soleve Sunburn Relief  licenced but it combines  ibuprofen with a soothing emollient, isopropyl myristate. It is available without prescription, and not only relieves pain but rehydrates the skin.

New research by Soleve™ Sunburn Relief, has revealed that 60 per cent Brits have had a holiday ruined because of sunburn and three out of five have suffered from sunburn in the past five years. The research, which surveyed 1000 women aged 25-50, also found that amongst other surprising facts, three out of four women do not know which sun factor they should use, and half did not pack any protection at all which seems extraordinary with all the warning constantly being published.

Shoulders seem to be the most common hotspot for burning, followed by face and chest. So maybe the answer is – protect, but take something like Soleve just in case you forget to re-apply your sun protection after swimming.  Better than ruining your holiday, I would think.

So on that note, with the school holidays here, may the Frost Magazine team wish you all wonderful holidays.
Soleve Sunburn Relief can be found in Boots.com and independent pharmacies at £9.95 for 100ml.

 

 

Sun Damage – Short-Term and Long-Term Effects By Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Last time we discussed sunburn and sunscreens. But what if, despite all efforts, you get sunburned?

First reduce inflammation. Take anti-inflammatories (eg ibuprofen) and apply bland moisturisers. Cool the affected skin with wet cloths, and keep hydrated.  (Pure) aloe vera may help.

Vitamin E may reduce on-going skin-cell damage, which can continue even after sun-exposure. Burnt skin should be protected from further sun. If the burn is severe and covers a large area, or you feel unwell, you may need medical advice.

After several days, your skin will appear recovered, albeit somewhat browner. But this isn’t the end of the story. You will have some permanent damage, which will make your skin look older, and put you at more risk of skin cancer.

Sun UV is responsible for 80% of skin-aging – reduced elasticity (causing sagginess), skin texture changes, wrinkles, hyper-pigmentation and yellowish discolouration. A recent study has shown that regular sunscreens significantly reduce these effects.

More worrying, it is estimated that, in the UK, sun is responsible for 70-90% of the main skin cancers – malignant melanoma (MM), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Intermittent severe (blistering) sunburn, particularly when young, is probably the major cause of MM. In fact, five severe sunburns between ages 15 to 20 years increase risk by 80%. Conversely, SCC and BCC are related to chronic long-term sun. Fair-skinned people are at greater risk as they have less protective melanin. Some people are also genetically susceptible.

Our immune system always attempts to remove damaged skin-cells, in order to prevent cancer, so any immunodeficiency increases risk. To help your immune system, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

MM arises from melanocytes (melanin-producing cells). MM may look like a new mole, or a change in a pre-existing mole – such as increased size, irregular edge, colour changes, asymmetrical shape, itching, pain, bleeding or crustiness. Melanoma is aggressive, but can be cured if caught early, so do see your doctor if you notice any skin changes. It can develop from melanocytes anywhere – any skin and, rarely, even the eye.

MM is the most dangerous skin cancer, but BCC is the commonest (75%) and SCC is next commonest. Unlike MM, which can appear on skin anywhere, BCC and SCC generally develop on sun-exposed skin. Either may resemble a sore, which won’t heal, a reddish patch, sometimes with crusting or bleeding. BCC sometimes forms a shiny bump of various colours, or an irregular scar. SCC can look like a wart, or a raised growth with a central dip.

Most BCC and SCC can be removed successfully, but if ignored, they can invade deeply, causing serious disfigurement and sometimes can spread elsewhere in the body, particularly SCC.

The best solution is to avoid sunburn and prolonged sun exposure. However once the damage is done, do maintain a healthy immune system and watch your skin carefully for any changes, or odd lumps or bumps which won’t going away – early treatment can cure.

Further Information:

http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sunburn/facts-about-sunburn-and-skin-cancer

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/sun-facts-and-evidence

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

 

 

Sun Protection – Should We or Shouldn’t We? By Dr Patricia Thompson

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Each summer, work-weary, sun-starved Brits look forward to baking under a hot foreign sun, wearing nothing but a piece of lycra or two, and a thin layer of suncream.

But what are the facts about sunburn and sunscreens?

Sunburn has two components: The initial ‘burn’ is unpleasant enough, but the long term damage is more serious, including skin cancer and (quelle horreur) wrinkles and saggy skin.

Sunburn is caused by UVB ultraviolet light-waves. They also release free-radicles, which damage skin-cell DNA, and hence can cause skin cancer. On the plus side, they trigger late tanning.

UVA waves penetrate deeper. They tan (nice), but age the skin (bad), and also contribute to skin cancer (very bad).

A sun-tan is our skin’s natural sunscreen, but doesn’t prevent damage from prolonged sunbathing, hence the need for commercial sunscreens. These either form a barrier to, or absorb UV.

But which to choose?
Check the ‘Sun Protection Factor’ (SPF). SPF 15 delays burning by 15-fold (eg from 20 minutes to 5 hours) and filters 93% of UVB. SPF 30 delays burning  by 30-fold and filters 97% of UVB.

UVA protection uses a star system (1 to 5). This indicates protection relative to UVB, so 5 stars for SPF 15 is less than 5 stars for SPF 50. European labelling will change soon, to a simpler ‘Low’ to ‘Very high’.

You should apply at least 2mg/cm2 exposed skin. For those who don’t pack mini-scales and a planimeter with their beach-towels, this means the average adult needs around two table-spoons. Apply at least 20 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply 2 hourly, or after swimming/sweating/towelling yourself, even for water-resistant products. Some swimwear (Spinali Design) contain UV sensors to remind you, via your smartphone, when to reapply.

Some sunscreen ingredients have safety question-marks. Oxybenzone have oestrogen-like effects and retinyl palmitate causes cancer in rats (both, at high doses). Some sunscreens actually increase free-radicle release in the skin.

These safety concerns may not be material in practise, but, regardless, using sunscreens isn’t carte blanche for excessive sun-worship. They don’t give 100% protection, and limiting intense sun exposure, by wearing hats and sun-protective clothing is also necessary. Consider UV-filter sunglasses too, as UV can cause cataracts.

Our skin uses sunlight to make vitamin D, and excessive sunscreen use can interfere. Vitamin D may help prevent cancer. Although it is present in some foods, skin production is still important.

How about sun-tan alternatives? Tanning beds frequently expose users to even more UV than natural sunlight and should be avoided.

Many ‘self-tans’ use chemicals which react with skin protein, turning them dark. They’re probably safe, but can also enhance free-radicle production in skin, so you must use sunscreen after them.

The verdict? Do use sunscreen, and do enjoy the sun, but be sensible and stay safe.

Next time I’ll advise on treating sunburn, and discuss long-term effects of too much sun.

Further Information:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sunburn/Pages/Introduction.aspx

https://www.aad.org/media-resources/stats-and-facts/prevention-and-care/sunscreen-faqs

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice

 

 

Soleve Sunburn Relief Review | Health

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Summer may feel like a distant memory but there are still a few lucky ones on holiday. In the hope of some future summer days, or future holidays we have reviewed Soleve Sunburn Relief. It is the first licensed product of its type specifically formulated to ease the pain and discomfort of mild to moderate sunburn. solevesunburnreliefreview Here is what they say:

Soleve Sunburn Relief is a lotion applied to mild to moderately sunburnt skin to relieve the pain of the sunburn and to moisture the skin. It combines two active ingredients to deliver effective relief right where it’s needed: an effective analgesic, ibuprofen, and an emollient, isopropyl myristate.

Ibuprofen is a well-known Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that is a powerful painkiller and reduces inflammation. Soleve is specially designed to deliver therapeutic levels of ibuprofen directly into sunburnt skin – precisely where it is needed.

Isopropyl myristate, is an emollient which effectively soothes and moisturises the skin by trapping water. Rehydration of sunburnt skin is very important to promote the normal healing process and to make the skin feel more comfortable by reducing both the skin tightness of sunburn and the frictional irritation between sunburnt skin and clothing.

 

This lotion goes on easily and a little bit goes a long way. It absorbs well and you can use it up to eight times a day. Does it work on sunburn? Yes, it eases and soothes. It is quite pricey at £9.95 but it does work, both moisturising and painkilling. It doesn’t smell bad and is not overpowering either. Recommended as a first-aid kit essential, good stuff.

 

Available from Boots and Boots.com

 

 

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream | Beauty Review

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elizabethardeneighthourcreamElizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream is constantly on the major magazines best of beauty lists. It is the little tub of cream that has a million uses and is a favourite of celebrities. My family and friends also love it. Here is my review.

Elizabeth Arden says their Eight Hour Cream soothes minor skin irritation and is also for the symptoms of chapping, peeling and flaking due to minor burns, sunburn, windburn, scrapes, abrasions and cracked lips. Phew. That is quite a list. Created in 1930, it is Elizabeth Arden’s bestseller, with a tube of the stuff selling somewhere in the world every 30 seconds.

I use the cream on my lips and it is a great lip balm. I also use it on my hands which are really drying out because of the weather and it really sorts them out. It is great on dry skin, you can really feel it healing the skin. I end up using it on my feet too. It makes them really smooth. I also put it along my cheekbones to highlight them when I am going out. It is good on rashes and burns. In fact it solves pretty much any skin based problem.

I quite like the smell but it is not to everyone’s taste. I know Elizabeth Arden recently brought out a version that is scent free. I think Eight Hour Cream is a great all-purpose balm. An essential for every make up bag. I am addicted now.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant 50ml

 

 

ENJOY THE SUN SAFELY THIS WEEKEND ADVISES CANCER RESEARCH UK

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AS Britain looks forward to the first ‘BBQ weekend’ of the year, Cancer Research UK is advising people, particularly those with fair skin, to enjoy the sun safely, be SunSmart and take steps to avoid getting sunburn.

Temperature predictions for the weekend are expected to remain unseasonably warm for April, with parts of Britain hotter than the Mediterranean.

Caroline Cerny, SunSmart campaign manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “A sunny weekend is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the weather, particularly as some sun is good for us. However, before heading out to relax in the garden, taking a trip to the beach, or even just walking about town, think about your skin and the steps you can take to cut your chances of getting sunburn.

“Enjoy the sun safely – relax in the shade, cover up with hats and loose clothing, and use at least factor 15 sunscreen with a four or five star rating to protect your skin from sunburn. As well as being painful and unattractive, sunburn is a sign of skin damage that can increase your risk of skin cancer.”

Now in its ninth year, Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign is encouraging people to enjoy the sun safely and avoid sunburn by offering advice on how best to protect against too much ultraviolet radiation (UV) which as well as being the major cause of skin cancer, also leads to premature ageing of the skin. Sunburn is a sign the DNA in your skin cells has been damaged and even though the redness will fade, the damage could remain and lead to serious problems in later life, including the most dangerous form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma.

To find out more on how to enjoy the sun safely, skin cancer and what to look out for, visit Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart website at www.sunsmart.org.uk.

The Great Welsh Summer {Ceri's Column}

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God damn, my country is beautiful in the Sun. It turns even more verdant than it usually is, (that’s pretty fucking green, man) the jaw-droppingly beautiful beaches shine like strips of pure gold dust and flocks of people are to be seen out and about, smiling. We have great ice cream in my neck of the…uh…seaside, and everyone seems to be licking at a scoop or tree. Happy, bright, summertime Wales.

However…

There are a lot of burnt-up people all of a sudden. One teeny chink of sunlight squeezes trough the gloomy haze above and the nation’s pallid, goblin-like inhabitants all emerge from their pits to bask and… Immediately get charred. Ha ha ha.

The amount of legs, arms, backs, shoulders, chests and noses shining crimson I’ve seen in the last couple of days has been staggering. I’ve also marvelled at the scores of clammy people sporting a fetching, ghost-coloured patch of face-skin where Ray-Bans were nearly fused to their face. Nice.

Ah, it’s only because I’m jealous y’know. Procul Harum may well have had me in mind when writing “Whiter Shade of Pale”…who am I kidding, it was the 60’s! They had purple Hindu deities dancing with kaleidoscopic rhinos in their minds after all the acid…plus I wasn’t born yet. Well whatever, I am very white. And I guarantee that, despite all my sun-dodging attempts, there’ll be at least one occasion that I’ll be transformed to a gnarled half-man, half-crackling creature by the end August.

Most of you think of the smell of cut-grass when you think of summer. Not me. The stink of burger vans is also filling my nostrils when I think of summer, and do you know what? I like it. I have absolutely no idea why the whiff of blackened Grade F beef/bread/god-knows and slimy onions smothered in unnaturally yellow mustard makes me exclaim “Ah! Summer!” But it does. And I will consume at least one ill-advised artery-clogger of a burger by the time I have transformed into the gnarled half-man, half-crackling creature.

Shit. I’ll be turning into Gollum.