TV Segment: Sun Protection For Sitting Pretty

This story aired on Great Day Houston on June 15, 2016. All the details about the products shown are provided below the video clip. The Houstonian Hotel for providing the beautiful setting for the segment. A special thank you to Sabrina Cook for modeling and Crystal Johnson for helping behind the scenes. Thanks for watching!

Protecting our skin is one of the most important and least expensive measures that we can take to preserve the health, youth and beauty of our skin. We all know about sunscreen lotions and sprays, here are some products you might not expect to provide sun protection.

PhotoGrid_1466018957959Protective Clothing

Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is the term used to define the level of UV protection in clothing. The white t-shirt we usually wear as a cover up has a UPF of 7 and drops to 3 when it’s wet. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a UPF of at least 30.

All clothing is not created equal. The tightness of the weave, the weight, type of fiber, color and amount of skin covered all affect the amount of protection they provide. Look for:

  • Synthetic materials with a tight weave. If you can see through the fabric, then UV radiation can penetrate it – and get to your skin.
  • Clothing with a UPF rating of at least 30. A UPF of 50 is excellent and blocks 99% of the sun’s UV rays.
  • UPF clothing is available in most sporting goods stores and online.

Model is wearing the Donna dress by SPF Addict. It has great protection with long sleeves, high neckline and an UPF of 50. It’s versatile, can be dressed up or down, offers lots of coverage and is light weight. ($55)

PhotoGrid_1466019025585Hats

Hats can protect our face and shoulders from the sun, but many don’t. The typical straw hat has a loose weave and lets a lot of sun through the little holes between the strands of straw. Look for hats with a tight weave, wide brim, and UPF of at least 30. The bigger the brim, the more protection.

  • These Wallaroo hats come in lots of fashionable and fun styles. Some float, some are classic, some are casual and some have a wire rim that can be shaped to give all kinds of attitude…and all have a UPF of 50. ($30 – $50)

PhotoGrid_1466019140794Jewelry

These bracelets are pretty and conceal UV indicators and monitors.

  • DetectSun bracelets are made with large beads that change color in the sun, under cloud cover or even in the nail salon…to let you know when you are getting exposed to UV rays ($25 – $150)
  • The June bracelet ($129) and Microsoft Band 2 ($175) both conceal UV sensors that work with your smart phones to track your UV exposure.

Sunglasses

PhotoGrid_1466019182479When we’re in the sun, the pupils in our eyes contract to reduce the light that enters our eye. Sunglasses shade our eyes, so the pupil opens wide and over-rides your body’s natural defenses against the damage of UV rays. If the sunglasses don’t have 100% UV-protection we cause more damage to our eyes.

Choose sunglasses with 100% UV protection. Look for the label on the lenses of the glasses. With sunglasses, the more you spend the better protection you can get. Inexpensive glasses have a UV coating that can rub off after just a few wears.

  • These Costa sunglasses by have polarized lenses and different coatings embedded in the lenses that are specialized for different conditions, so you can get just the right glasses for your specific needs – driving, harsh sun, open water, variable light, etc. ($150 = $250).

PhotoGrid_1466019307029Makeup

Many makeup products do double duty and have spf as well. Here are some of our favorites

  • Oxygenetix foundation has an SPF of 25, is lightweight and stays put even in hot humid weather ($50).
  • Suntegrity Lipsticks are soft, smooth, come in flattering colors and have an SPF 30
  • Nailpolish – all nail color blocks the sun’s UV rays ($28).

Specialty Sunscreens

PhotoGrid_1466019517372Conventional sunscreens aren’t a fit for everyone or every situation. Here are some specialty sunscreens:

  • Coral Reef Safe – Chemical sunscreens and body care products are hard on coral reefs and many water sports companies don’t allow them. These products are safe for the reefs and provide sun protection:
  • Scars/Tattoos – Dermaflage Scarscreen is a sunscreen that is especially made for the fragile skin of tattoos, scars and effected by laser resurfacing, microderm, medical procedures or common scrapes and scratches ($25).
  • Gluten Free – Gluten is in lots of unexpected products and people with gluten sensitivities can’t use them.  Hydropeptide’s Solar Defense is gluten free ($44).
  • Natural Products – Solar Goo is made from all natural products and is still affordable ($8 – $13).

 

2 Responses to TV Segment: Sun Protection For Sitting Pretty

    • I’m so glad you liked it Autumn! My clients like lots of options so they can find exactly what works for them. I love to snorkel, so your Stream2Sea line really resonated for me.

Leave a reply