News Moms Need

Most experts discourage tanning whether you’re pregnant or not. When your skin tans, it’s trying to protect itself from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. These UV rays are hard on your skin because they:
• Increase the risk of skin cancer
• Give you a bad burn if you’re exposed to them for too long
• Increase signs of aging

UV rays are bad for everyone, but sunbathing is especially bad if you’re pregnant. Often, your skin is more sensitive to sunlight than it was before pregnancy, so you may burn easily. Sitting under the hot sun (or in a tanning bed) for a long time may make you overheated or lose body fluids (dehydrated). Both of these methods of tanning are bad for your growing baby. Also, UV rays may break down folic acid, an important vitamin that helps your baby’s brain and spinal cord develop.

So, if you are going to be out in the sun, what should you do?

Choose a sunscreen that does not contain retinyl palmitate, has an SPF higher than 15 (30 and up is better), and has UVA and UVB protection. If you are going to be going swimming or sweating a lot, then use one that is also “water resistant.”

Why not retinyl palmitate? 

Consumer Reports (an independent rating company), conducted tests and suggest that pregnant women avoid sunscreens that contain retinyl palmitate, a type of topical vitamin A.  Retinyl palmitate “is an antioxidant that animal studies have linked to an increased risk of skin cancers. In skin, it converts readily to retinoids, associated with a risk of birth defects in people using acne medications containing them.”  To help you choose the product that is right for you, read the article on sunscreens as tested by Consumer Reports.

What about sunscreens that are also insect repellants?

Applying one lotion that protects against sunburn as well as bug bites sounds like a nifty idea. But, beware of using products that contain both sunscreen and bug repellant.  When you re-apply the product, you may be exposing yourself to too much bug repellant, which can be toxic.  Please read the warnings of using these kinds of combination products.

With a little knowledge and label reading, you will be able to choose a product that protects you from too much sun exposure and is also safe.  Then, you can relax and enjoy your summer days in the sun.

We’ve all heard the warnings about getting too much sun, and how you should use sunscreen.  So, in preparation for my family summer vacation, I went to my local pharmacy to pick up a bottle or two.  I was bombarded by so many varieties that I stood there for nearly 20 minutes trying to figure out what to buy. In addition to the many levels of SPF, there were many descriptions to consider, such as “water resistant,” “waterproof,” “sweat resistant,” “ultra sweatproof”, etc.  Yikes! It was such an overload of information that even I was stunned by it (and I like this sort of geeky, health care kind of stuff!).
 
So, I decided to do a little bit of research to try to get to the “bottom line.” It was then that I found out that last month the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changed the labeling rules to make them more simple. (Please see their press release and this Medscape article for more info.) Manufacturers will have about a year to change their labels. 

In the meantime, here is a short lesson on sunburn jargon…

There are two types of rays that cause skin damage – ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B (UVA and UVB). Both can cause premature aging and skin cancer, however, UVB rays are what cause sunburn. In order to be adequately protected, you need a sunscreen that protects against both kinds of rays.  With the new rules, manufacturers may only label a sunscreen as “broad-spectrum” if it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
 
SPF ratings refer to the protection factor from sunburn rays (UVB) and don’t protect you from the UVA rays - the higher the number, the more protection against sunburn. Think of it as your skin needing a thicker coating of the lotion in order to be sure that you don’t burn. You should use an SPF of at least 15. Anything less than that does not provide adequate protection. Under the new rules, the FDA is considering limiting SPF numbers to 50, as they do not see a substantial increase in protection with SPF numbers higher than 50.

The FDA will no longer allow the terms “sunblock,” “waterproof” and “sweatproof” (yeah!!!)  The term “water resistant” will be allowed if a manufacturer documents that their product keeps working even after you go in water for 40 minutes or 80 minutes. Hence, you’ll see the term “water resistant- 40 minutes” and “water resistant- 80 minutes.”  This labeling will be helpful in protecting kids who love to swim.

So, until the labeling changes go into effect, to protect your skin from sunburn, cancer and premature aging, here is the bottom line:
• only use products that specify “UVA and UVB” protection, with a SPF rating higher than 15;
• use a “water resistant” product if you intend to go swimming;
• reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating, (even if you use “water resistant” sunscreen).

And remember to limit time in the sun, wear cover-ups and hats, and drink plenty of water.

The weather’s warm, the sun is shining, the kids want to run around and play with the hose. Doesn’t it feel great to get away from freezing winter?!

Here’s the pitch for today: don’t forget the sun block. I know, everybody’s talking about that right now, and they should ‘cause it’s important. We have written about the importance of using sun block before, about using one with SPF 30 and replacing it every couple of hours, etc. But this time I want to remind you while you slather on the goop to be sure to protect your children’s ears. We always get the cheeks, nose shoulders and arms, but sometimes the ears are bypassed. Wide brimmed hats are great, but caps will leave the ears exposed to sizzle in the sun.

If you’re pregnant, your sensitive skin might burn more easily. Read these tips for you and relax and enjoy the warmer weather… and don’t forget your ears!

When we have kids, we’re always thinking of protecting them.  We don’t want them to get sunburned or have heat stroke.  But often, we don’t take our own advice when it comes to protecting ourselves.  When pregnant, you can be extra sensitive to the harsh rays of the sun, to heat, to dehydration.  Don’t forget the following:

-  Slather on the sun block before going out, using an SPF of 30 or higher.  Reapply it regularly – goopify!
-  Wear a wide brimmed hat to protect not only your face, but ears and neck. Caps don’t protect as well.
-  Wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays, even with a hat.
-  If you wear sandals to help keep your feet cool, be sure to keep suntan lotion on your feet.  And put those piggies up for a rest whenever you can.
-  Walk on the side of the street that has shade.  (The sun is hottest between 10 AM and 4 PM)
-  Drink plenty of water.  Carry a refillable water bottle with you and leave one in the car.  Drinking slightly warm water is better than drinking no water.
-  Take a big umbrella with you to the beach and sit in its shade.
-  Reduce your level of activity when heat and humidity are high.