Can you believe that it is the middle of November?! Here in Southern California the weather has been unusually HOT and DRY! But I know the weather is taking a turn for winter in many other places. Along with the cold weather comes warmer clothes and layering. Sun protection and skin cancer detection is still very important even if most of it is covered during these colder months.
As part of the legacy of Darren and Darren Lee Farwell Foundation, UV Skinz wants to educate people on the dangers of sun damage and how to look for the warning signs of skin cancer. Skin cancer is 100% preventable if caught early! It is in the best interest of yourself and your family, especially children under 18 years, to check for irregular moles all over your body on a monthly basis.
Most people have moles, but if you ever see a change in the color or shape–that is when you should see your physician. There is a simply way to look for signs of skin cancer, it’s called the ABCD Rule:
A. Asymmetry-One half of the spot does not match the other half.
B. Border irregularity-Normal moles are round or oval. The borders of a melanoma may be uneven or notched.
C. Color-Common moles are usually one color throughout. Melanomas may have several colors or an irregular pattern of colors.
D. Diameter-Common moles are generally less than 1/4 inch in diameter (the diameter of a pencil eraser). Melanomas may be 1/8 to 1/4 inch, but are often larger.
Unfortunately, my husband is set in his ways and still tans at the tanning salon, but I make it my duty to check the areas on his body that he can’t see (back, neck and shoulders) for any changes in his moles. There are easy steps you can take to prevent skin cancer. Always avoid direct sunlight, wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats. You will have to reapply sunscreen every few hours, but if you are wearing your UV Skinz swim shirt (which by the way is not just for swimming) you will never have to worry about reapplying sunscreen!
Categories: Prevention
Tagged: cancer signs, melanoma, skin protection, swim shirt, uv skinz, winter sun protection
The winter months can be especially damaging to the skin. The wind blows harder and colder, the temperature drops, and moisture becomes depleted in the skin causing skin dehydration, scaling, and flaking cracked areas. Areas such as the lips, elbows, knees, heels, and hands become particularly parched during this season. UVA rays in winter are as intense and cause as much damage as UVA rays in the summer months. Here are some tips on how to give your skin ultimate protection during the winter months.
10 Tips for Hands, Feet, Body, Face and Lips
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Keep Water Lukewarm, Not Hot
Hot water robs skin of moisture, so it’s best to shower in lukewarm water. If you can’t bear this rule — I can’t — try to keep your warm showers short and try showering only once per day. This also means skipping the hot tubs in winter (another rule I simply cannot bear). The hot, hot temperature, combined with drying chemicals, is torture on skin.
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Moisturize After Showers or Handwashing
Moisturizer is the key to soft, supple skin in winter. Apply product when skin is slightly damp. For best effect, pat skin dry instead of rubbing with your towel before application.
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Exfoliate on a Weekly or Semi-weekly Basis
Moisturizer is much more effective on properly exfoliated skin. Use a scrub in the shower and exfoliate facial skin with a mild scrub made for the face.
It’s best to scrub skin when it’s dry. Apply scrub to dry skin before you turn on the water (mix with lotion if it’s not moist enough). Massage the scrub in for a good five minutes for best results.
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Invest in a Humidifier
Furnaces rob air of moisture, leaving very little humidity in the air. I once read that your skin needs more than 30 percent humidity to stay properly moisturized. A room heated by a furnace can have as little as 10 percent moisture. In the winter, consider sleeping with a humidifier in your bedroom. Keep doors closed so the moist air doesn’t escape the room.
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Skip the Drying Soaps
Stick with a creamy moisturizing cleanser that contains glycerin or petrolatum, such as Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash, or Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash (my current drugstore pick).
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Baby Your Hands & Feet
Hands and feet can suffer terribly in winter. Put on moisturizer and gloves BEFORE you head outdoors, and consider lathering up your feet in thick moisturizer and sleeping in cotton socks at night.
Extra tip: Cover feet in a thick moisturizer, wrap feet in Saran Wrap, then pull on a pair of socks for a couple hours. Try to sit or lie down while the moisturizer soaks in or risk sliding into a full split and pulling your groin muscles. The same treatment can be done on hands, except try plastic bags and keep hands in a pair of socks. A half-hour should do you.
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Don’t Forget Your Lips
Licking your lips will not moisturize them and instead will help dry them out. Lips retain less moisture than other parts of the body, so they tend to dry out more quickly. A simple lip balm helps, as does my all-time favorite lip trick learned in high school from “Seventeen” magazine: moisturize your lips with Vaseline. Take a toothbrush and “brush” your lips in a circular motion. This will remove dead flakes and leave your lips soft and supple.
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Your Face Needs Extra Care in Winter
Cold, winter wind can wreak havoc on skin. To keep your face supple in winter, apply moisturizer to your face before going out into the cold and cover your face with a scarf in harsh wind.
If you have super, duper sensitive skin, consider avoiding rinsing your face with tap water, which can contain harsh minerals that are especially drying to the skin (Dr. Dennis Gross once told me New York water contains a lot of harsh minerals, while Seattle water, for example, does not. Go figure).
Instead, do like the French and cleanse skin in winter with a cleaner that does not require rinsing, like Pond’s Cold Cream. You can also rinse with special water that contains selenium and chamomile.
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Consider Fish Oil Pills
New studies show omega-3 fish oil pills may soothe super dry skin. Patients who took fish oils pills in a study reported in Allure magazine, saw significant results within a few weeks. “You can see, within six weeks, the skin, hair and nails improve markedly,” according to skin expert Dr. Andrew Weil in Allure.
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UV Skinz swim shirts always keep your skin protected with its chemical-free super soft material and SPF 50+. Check out our Holiday Sale to get your loved one the perfect gift!!!
Categories: Prevention
Tagged: skin protection tips, swim shirt, uv skinz, winter sun protection
Written by: Kalisha
I always dread the day that my sunscreen runs out because that means I have to head to the drugstore and stare for what seems like forever at the huge wall of sunscreens trying to figure out which one is the best. I will usually stare and stare then decide to go pick out the toilet paper I need because that is always an easy decision; two-ply and quilted. Then come back to the wall of sunscreens to then just pick one that looks like it will protect well. I have never been able to figure out why there are so many different SPF’s. I figure if there is one that is better for everyone then why not just sell that one particular SPF. Why confuse me with all those different numbers?! Now I feel like my prayers have been answered and from now on I will be able to go to the store, pick out my sunscreen at first glance and be on my way. The FDA is changing the labeling on all sunscreens! Woo Hoo! They want the labeling on your sunscreen to tell you more about protection from the sun’s harmful rays as well as educate on sun protection.
Currently the labeling on sunscreen only provides the Sun Protection Factor that informs you how well the product protects against UVB rays. UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburns, but there is still UVA light that penetrates the skin more than UVB and causes you to tan. With the new labeling the FDA will require that all sunscreens show a four-star rating (along with the SPF) that tells you how well the product protects from UVA rays. Both UVA and UVB are types of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun and both contribute to premature skin aging, skin cancer, and other types of skin damage.
- 1 star; low UVA protection
- 2 stars; medium protection
- 3 stars; high protection
- 4 stars; the highest protection available in an over the counter sunscreen product
If the sunscreen product does not rate at least one star the FDA is proposing that its labeling bear a “no UVA protection” label. The FDA wants consumers to know that sunscreen is not the only option. Along with the star ratings they want labels to advise consumers about limiting time in the sun, wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen liberally and reapplying frequently.
If you would like to find out more information on the new FDA changes just visit these sites:
FDA Press Release
www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01687.html
Questions and Answers
www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/sunscreen/qa.htm
FDA Sunscreen Web page
www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/sunscreen/default.htm
FDA’s Web site for OTC drug products
www.fda.gov/cder/Offices/OTC/consumer.htm
FDA’s Tanning Web site
www.fda.gov/cdrh/tanning/
Sun Safety: Save Your Skin!
www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/sun072407.html
Categories: 337 · Prevention
Tagged: FDA, SPF, sun protection, sunscreen labels, uv skinz, UVA protection, UVB protection
With a lot of anxiety and uncertainty surrounding our economic situation lately consumers have cut back on spending, but there are just a few things we can’t afford to do without. Whatever you do please don’t stop buying these items!
- Deodorant; It’s not fair to your neighbor in any situation to have offending B.O. No matter how tough the economic strain please don’t skimp on the deodorant!
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes; Maintaining a healthy dental routine is very important. Cavities and root canals are not cheap. Keep brushing and protect those shiny whites!
- Make-up (beauty products); taking care of yourself is most important in fighting stress, anxiety and depression that may accompany financial strain. Keep yourself feeling good and all is good!
- Insurance (car, self, and home); Protecting yourself against unknown events is very important. No one can afford unexpected accidents or hospital bills.
- UV Skinz;Now this is the most important one! No one can afford to get skin cancer these days so make sure you protect yourself and your family by wearing UV Skinz swim shirts while enjoying your outdoor activities!
Don’t forget to go by the UV Skinz homepage and check out the amazing online holiday sale! This is a great time to buy the perfect gift for the one you love. UV Skinz swim shirts are affordable, made of the highest quality chemical-free material, long lasting, and fashionable!
Categories: 337
Tagged: cost of skin cancer treatment, humor, skin cancer, swim shirts, uv skinz
Written by: Kalisha
Daylight Savings has officially marked the oncoming of winter and cold dreary nights here in most of the U.S. November and December are perfect months to have a warm weather getaway to a tropical destination. Even if the cold winds are blowing through your window further south temperatures are reaching the 80’s and 90’s with plenty of warm sunshine.
I made a list of perfect sun shiny places to have a great tropical vacation!
- US…Florida and Hawaii are good spots to travel since they are still in the United States and affordable. Also, Las Vegas since it clears out during family holidays. Cruises are always available and fun for the whole family!
- Caribbean…Barbados, Antiqua, Trinidad/Tobago, St. Lucia (If you love some peace & quiet amidst breathtaking surrounding and you have children who are not difficult to entertain, classy St. Lucia with its family friendly resorts and nature reserves might just be the holiday you’re looking for in the Caribbean.), Jamaica (With Jamaica’s reputation as a Caribbean island for adult fun & recreation, it is easy to cross the island off as a top family vacation spot in the Caribbean. Don’t make this mistake. With Jamaica’s pristine beaches, exquisite natural spots and family-friendly resorts, this is one island that’s bound to make one of those memorable family vacations.)
- Mexico…Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos(It’s not only Los Cabos’ proximity to the US that makes it a top family vacation spot. Think about activities like dolphin watching and pirate ship tours and it’s easy to understand why families always have a fun time in Los Cabos.)
- Pacific…Fiji, Australia
Now that you’ve made your destination choice it’s time to pack. When packing for a tropical vacation you want to keep this in mind; “Pack light, but pack right!” Depending on your activity level and goal for your vacation (rest and relaxation or action-packed adventure) then a few items would need to be added to your list.
Fun in the Sun:
Moonlit Nights:
- Casual dressy clothes
- A wrap for the ladies for those cool breezy evenings
Extras:
- Light-weight rain gear
- Extra pairs of UV Skinz coordinates (you can never have too many!)
To see more ideas on what to pack for your tropical vacation then check out these links; Travel with the kids packing list and family beach vacation packing list.
Many families have joined the UV Skinz family and truly believe in our motto; Live in Our Skinz! Here is what a couple of them had to say about using UV Skinz on their tropical getaway!
We did not have to worry about baby Henry’s skin on the beach in Puerto Rico.. Even though the sun was very strong, his skin was not affected! We were just amazed with the protection the shirts provided!
Auntie Alicia
These are great, we have two of them. We picked them up in Hawaii two years ago and they are still going strong. They are comfy for the kids, and we don¹t have to worry about constantly slathering or spraying them with sunscreen. You have a great product!
Sharon
As a father and a physician, I think that UV Skinz are fantastic! I know how difficult it is to get kids to wear sunscreen routinely, and I’ve seen firsthand the devastation that skin cancer can cause. A product that kids love to wear because it’s comfortable and looks cool AND protects against the damaging rays of the sun is a complete winner. My kids hardly take their UVSkinz off all summer, and wear them beneath their ski clothes all winter.
Dr. Bob
(Son, Eric on wakesurf – New Melones, CA)
The ultimate goal of a warm weather getaway is to leave your work, your worries, and your schedule at home. Arrive in the islands without an agenda but with a goal to relax. Let the hot sun, warm sea, and bright colors lull you into forgetting day-to-day anxieties. And don’t forget to Live In Our Skinz!
If you have a tropical vacation tip for families then feel free to leave it in the comment box!
Categories: 337
Tagged: family vacations, sun protection, sunscreen, swim shirts, travel tips, tropical vacation, uv skinz
Written by: Kalisha
The great thing about UV Skinz is that even though it is called a ”swim shirt”, it can be worn for many other activities. UV skinz swim shirts are ‘uniquely designed to keep you covered, comfortable, cool and fashionable. Since they fit more like a t-shirt they allow for a less restrictive and confining feel. UV skinz are so silky-smooth with amazing sun protection that you will never want to take it off! Whatever outdoor activity you and your family enjoy UV skinz is the perfect option for ultimate sun protection.
This week UV skinz will be participating in Thursday Thirteen! So here are….
13 Places to Wear your UV Skinz!:
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Trips to the Beach…You can go from the water to the sand and never have to think about reapplying sunscreen. Don’t worry about being body concious while you wear
UV skinz swim shirts/boy short coordinates because they offer fashionable styles with full coverage. With it’s light-weight and breathable material you will stay cool and comfortable all day long.
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Gardening…Wearing your UV skinz while gardening is the perfect solution to an unwanted farmer’s tan!
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Camping…UV skinz swim shirts and
matching coordinates are great for camping. You won’t have to worry about stopping while you hike to reapply sunscreen and the feel of the material will never irritate your skin.
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Tennis…Playing tennis with
UV skinz will not only look amazing, but will allow you to stay focused on your game while the shirt does all the work.
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Pool Play/Swimming
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Boating
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Surfing
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Rivers and Lakes…As the name states UV skinz swim shirts are great for all types of water play! The incredible design of the swim shirt (breathable and silky-smooth material, flat-lock stitching throughout the garment) keeps you comfortable. The material also dries fast so no need to take it off–ever!
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Picnic Day at the Park…Don’t fuss with sunscreen at the park when all the kids want to do is run around and play! Let them wear their UV skinz and be confident knowing you have given them the ultimate in sun protection. It is important to remember that babies under 6 mo should never wear sunscreen, but UV skinz offers many styles of baby long-sleeved swim shirts and even
baby bloomers to keep your baby’s precious skin safe from the start!
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Snow skiing/boarding…The snow reflects 95% of the sun’s rays so when you plan a weekend of snow adventure make sure you include UV skinz in your winter layers. You won’t have to worry about sun damage even when it’s cloudy; plus UV skinz makes a great under shirt.
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Golfing…With lots of styles to choose from you will always be the leader in golfing fashion and sun protection.
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Running Errands…Just slip on your favorite UV skinz swim shirt,
wide brimmed hat and go!
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As I’ve found out from experience kids are so comfortable in
UV skinz swim shirts that they might even end up wearing them to
sleep–as pajamas!
Categories: A Day in the Life of...
Tagged: outdoor activities, sun protection, swim shirt, uv protection, uv swim shirt
As we transition from Fall to Winter, many people don’t realize that during these next few months of clouds, lower temperatures and possibly snow sun protection is still important. I grew up in Colorado, with hot summers and very cold and snowy winters. During those winter months I would never touch a drop of sun screen. I didn’t think that sun protection in general was very important, unless I was headed to the pool! Now I’ve learned that snow actually is a contributing factor to skin damage. The National Cancer Institute says that “snow reflects the sun like a mirror.” Fresh snow can reflect up to 95% of the sun’s rays.
The sun’s rays are also still coming through the clouds. That seems like a no brain-er, but in my naive days I would think that if it was cloudy then there was no need (again) for sunscreen. So not true! Skin damage is still occurring even if we don’t see or feel a sunburn.
I’m not trying to scare you from enjoying your winter games and sports. There are ways that we benefit from the sun. Being outside for at least 15 minutes a day is important for your body’s vitamin D production. Vitamin D helps to protect against osteoporosis, heart disease, and cancer (breast, prostate, colon). Sunlight helps alleviate depression, insomnia, and over-active immune system. My husband always tells me that sunlight makes him energized, which helps your body stay active and healthy. And that reminds me of a lady on that show Wife Swap that said she didn’t need to eat because she stared at the sun for 10 minutes each morning! O.K. Some people enjoy the sun and may take it a little extreme, but the sun does produce happy feelings in us. The sun is just so amazing, but I don’t think I will be starring at it anytime soon and I don’t suggest you do either.
It’s healthy to get outside even in cold weather for at least 15-20 minutes without sunscreen, but if you are outside longer than 20 minutes it’s recommended that you apply sunscreen before you bundle up. Making sure to cover the bridge of the nose and face. That may be the only part of your body that you need to cover in sunscreen because you can wear UV Skinz long-sleeved swim shirts as apart of your winter layers!
Where I live in California, the mornings are gloomy and cold while the afternoon gets sunny. I dress my daughters in cotton pants, a long-sleeved UV Skinz swim shirt, with another short sleeved top over the swim shirt, and maybe a light sweater. That way, as our morning progresses at the park they can strip their layers all the way down to their swim shirt and still be protected with an SPF 50+. Just one less thing that I have to worry about and they can just play (in the sun or shade!).
I feel that I’m becoming a little more sun savvy each day. I guess making up for lost time because skin protection wasn’t important or even discussed with me when I was a child. Now we know that that is when the majority of skin damage occurs, between 0-18 years. So, even though these winter months may be gloomy and cold remember that sun protection is still important. I’m not an expert on skin care, but I am a Mother so that automatically makes me an expert! HA! Well, it’s added to my list of things to learn more about like; the names of the dinosaurs and how to pronounce them, how to cook tofu, how to sew a barbie dress and talk a two-year old out of a tantrum.
My escapades with dinosaurs and two year olds can be seen on my mommy blog, Mommy Lounge. I loved having the chance to experience UV Skinz swim shirts and that experience led me to write this review and now I’m here blogging to you.
I encourage you to add UV Skinz blog to your blogroll and check back to see what else I have to share with you!
Feel free to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts on proper skin protection during the winter or any questions you may have. I would love to hear how your family incorporates UV Skin swim shirts into your fall and winter months!
UV Skinz Bloggin’ Mama,
Kalisha
Categories: Prevention
Tagged: sunscreen, swim shirts, uv skinz, vitamin d, winter sun protection
Superhero Protection from the Sun!
Did you know that protecting your skin during the first 18 years of your life can significantly reduce the risks of some types of cancer by up to 78%? That’s phenomenal information that all parents and caretakers need to know! As mothers and fathers, I know this has to be one thing you would like to be less worried about. Here’s a wonderful solution to help protect your loved ones from constant UV overexposure. UV Skinz is a company dedicated to raising awareness and helping to prevent skin cancer by providing a wide variety of products to ensure your whole family is safeguarded from the sun.
Their line of
UV Skinz apparel is made out of a unique microfiber blend of materials that blocks out 98% of all UV rays and provides a UPF rating of 50+! With these sun protection shirts and bottoms, you’ll get to save money from buying so much sunscreen and time from having to constantly reapply the sunscreen. Not only does this clothing protect you from the sun, they are fashionable too which means your picky child or teen won’t mind wearing them. They also carry
UV Sun Hats,
UV Shades, and
Accessories to complete the ensemble and provide maximum coverage against sun damage.
We received the
Casey long sleeve kids skinz and silicon bracelet for Ethan. You can tell this
shirt is of high quality and it was great that it didn’t affect his mobility while he played and continued in his daily activities. I especially liked knowing that when the sun is going full force here in the summer (living in the land of the midnight sun), my fears of sunburn and harming rays won’t stand a chance when he’s wearing this remarkable
sun protection shirt. Ethan loves wearing it all around the house and while he’s playing outdoors claiming it’s his “superhero” shirt and you know what, he’s right. This
shirt can be considered a superhero shirt as it does shield him from too much sun exposure and from eliminating the need to apply chemical laden sunscreens on his body. As soon as summer approaches again, I will be investing in my family’s health and be picking up more of their
UV Skinz for the rest of our family!
Categories: Skinz Newz
Tagged: review, superhero
The end of 2008 is in sight and that means that it is time to gear up for 2009! You may have noticed a change in the bog’s appearance, if this is your first time looking at it, it looks way cooler! Trust me. This is the look that all of the new print material will follow and hopefully the website. What do you think‽ Leave a comment let me know.
Categories: A Day in the Life of...
Tagged: Design
