Tan People Get Skin Cancer, Too

Did you know Bob Marley died of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer? You may find this surprising because of his darker skin color. Don't only Caucasians get skin cancer? The answer is no.

I'm a proud Mexican-American who has taken care of her skin since age 12, partly out of vanity and partly out of concern for cancer. My non-Hispanic friends have always asked, "Why are you worried skin cancer? Your skin type can handle the sun." While it is true that my olive skin can usually handle limited sun exposure, I've been a victim of sunburn twice in my life (see previous post) and have several freckles and some small sunspots on my face as a result of sun damage (even after years of using sunscreen!). Clearly, I'm not immune to the sun's damaging rays, despite my tan skin. And we all know that just five sunburns can double your risk of skin cancer, which means I've raised my risk for the disease substantially with just those two burns!

According to an article by the Skin Cancer Foundation, many ethnic people and dermatologists often overlook the skin cancer risk in this group of people. While skin cancers rates are quite low among ethnic people, the rates are rising each year, especially in sunny areas. Also, non-Caucasians have disproportionately higher mortality rates because of delayed cancer screenings and treatments due to the perceived notion that it is a Caucasian phenomenon. Considering that by 2050 the US Census Bureau predicts that 50% of the US population will be Asian, African-American or Hispanic, it is especially critical to raise skin cancer awareness among non-Caucasians and have these groups adopt better skin practices.

I advise ALL PEOPLE to follow a healthy skin regimen that includes sunscreen, sunglasses, protective clothing/accessories, a nutritious diet and lots of hydration.

Consult the table below to see where certain skin cancers tend to appear among ethnic people. Click on this link for the full Skin Cancer Foundation article.

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Badger to the Test

While on a recent 5-day trip to a beach location, I got my first chance to really put the all-natural Badger SPF 30 sunscreen to the test. On the first morning of my trip, I slathered on the cream and ended up looking a little like a Casper-version of myself until the sunscreen absorbed after 15 minutes or so. At the beach, I spent about 20 minutes in the water before coming out and covering myself with my sun hat and Linda parasol. I made the mistake of not reapplying because I was covered up by my hat and parasol, and it was starting to look like rain and we were going to leave. I also figured there was still some juice left in the sunscreen, which promises 40 minutes of safe wear in the water (I had only been in the water for half that time). I'm usually a fervent re-applier, but I was lazy with the Badger because it took a considerable time to apply it and you definitely need a second person to help you out your back. I have unusually long arms and with normal, spreadable sunscreen, I can get to the difficult spots on my back with some effort. With Badger, the cream was so thick it would travel only a few inches before proving unyielding to anymore spreading. The end result of my first day of use: a moderate sunburn on my shoulders. I've burned only one other time in my life (at a practice for high school graduation) and to repeat it again on a vacation was not pleasant. I can't completely blame the burn on my sunscreen because I should have reapplied, but had it been an easier cream to spread, I would have been more likely to do this.

I would also like to note that I DO NOT recommend this sunscreen for use on your face. One of the ingredients in it is olive oil and that this doesn't strike me as non-commodogenic. I did put a little sunscreen on my forehead to test it out, and while I'm not sure if it was a coincidence or the fault of the sunscreen, three tiny pimples sprouted on my forehead. I will stick to my EltaMD for my face.

So, what is the verdict on the Badger sunscreen? It's fine for everyday use on your chest, arms and legs, but it wouldn't be my first choice for the beach or any other situation that requires complete reapplication. Perhaps the cream would spread more easily if you leave it in a warm place to soften, but I'll go back to using some Neutrogena sunscreens (especially the sprays!) in conjunction with the Badger for future beach use.

On a positive note, I did try Badger's sunscreen lip balm and loved it. I wouldn't use it as my everyday lip balm because it leaves a noticeable white layer on your lips, but for the beach or the water, it was great. It had a pleasant taste and eventually absorbed, leaving it only slightly noticeable.

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The Fight Over Vitamin D: AIM vs. SCF

There has been lots of controversy surrounding vitamin D in the medical world. This nutrient is necessary for the absorption of calcium (needed for healthy bones and teeth), and for maintaining normal blood levels of the minerals calcium and phosphorus. Without vitamin D, your bones can weaken, thus leading to possible fractures and even osteoporosis.

A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (AIM) found that 3 out of 4 Americans suffer from Vitamin D deficiencies, and a 2008 AIM study showed that participants with the lowest levels of Vitamin D had double the risk of dying from heart disease. Vitamin D may also help prevent certain cancers, such as colon, breast and prostate cancer.

How much vitamin D is necessary? The government recommends 200 International Units (IUs) of vitamin D per day up to age 50, 400 IUs to age 70, and 600 IUs over 70. Many experts think these amounts are too low and they recommend exposure to short-term sunlight in the summer, in addition too "supplementation in the winter of about 2,000 IUs [of vitamin D] per day."

According to the 2008 AIM study, during the winter "it's impossible to produce vitamin D from the sun if you live north of Atlanta because the sun never gets high enough in the sky for its ultraviolet B rays to penetrate the atmosphere." However, it is possible to accumulate enough vitamin D in the summer months, which will last you throughout the winter. If you are light-skinned, experts recommend 10 minutes of outdoor sun exposure in shorts and a tank top with no sunscreen, which will yield about 10,000 IUs of vitamin D. People with darker skin and the elderly produce less vitamin D, which may mean you need more sun exposure and/or additional vitamin supplementation from sources like fortified milk* (if your body can handle it!) and fatty fish.

This is where the controversy begins. Clearly the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) is in the business of promoting limited exposure to the sun for fear you may develop skin cancer. Despite the studies' results, the Skin Cancer Foundation maintains its firm stance against all unprotected sun exposure. The SCF feels the studies supporting claims that some unprotected sun exposure is needed for sufficient vitamin D production "cannot directly correlate disease with individual sun exposure, and 'cannot establish that solar exposure decreases incidence or mortality from these cancers.'" The SCF claims that "when you wear sunscreen, some UV reaches the skin, and this may be plenty, at least for fair-skinned individuals." This type of "incidental protected exposure…to minimal UVB radiation three times weekly generates adequate vitamin D levels by classic criteria. Greater exposure adds nothing to vitamin D stores, while increasing DNA damage", thus increasing your chances for skin cancer. (Click HERE for the SCF's rebuttal.)

So, what is the average person supposed to make of all this information? Do we have to choose between risking skin cancer or risking heart and bone disease? I recommend MODERATION and a proper diet. A friend in medical school once told me that all you need to do is expose the back of your hand (with no sunscreen) to the sun for 5 minutes, and that will give you enough Vitamin D for about six months. I'm no expert, but it seems to me that everyone needs a little sunshine here and there, not only for some vitamin D, but getting out and taking in some fresh air is good for the soul. While this certainly isn't a license to go out and bake under the sun, I think most of us (not all) can handle a little bit of sunshine without risking too much. I still recommend using sunscreen all over your body and covering up at least your face, neck and shoulders. Unless you are head-to-toe in UV shielding armor, there is no way to 100% avoid UV rays. Incidentally, you will get some vitamin D production, perhaps not the recommended daily dosage, but that's where a proper diet comes in.**

Consult the table below for food sources providing vitamin D.


Table from the National Health Institute: Selected Food Sources of Vitamin D

Food	IUs per serving	Percent Daily Value
Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon	1,360	340
Salmon, cooked, 3.5 ounces	360	90
Mackerel, cooked, 3.5 ounces	345	90
Tuna fish, canned in oil, 3 ounces	200	50
Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 1.75 ounces	250	70
Milk, nonfat, reduced fat, and whole, vitamin D-fortified, 1 cup	98	25
Margarine, fortified, 1 tablespoon	60	15
Ready-to-eat cereal, fortified with 10% of the DV for vitamin D, 0.75-1 cup (more heavily fortified cereals might provide more of the DV)	40	10
Egg, 1 whole (vitamin D is found in yolk)	20	6
Liver, beef, cooked, 3.5 ounces	15	4
Cheese, Swiss, 1 ounce	12	4

*More from the National Institute of Health: "In supplements and fortified foods, vitamin D is available in two forms, D2...and D3. The two forms have traditionally been regarded as equivalent based on their ability to cure rickets, but evidence has been offered that they are metabolized differently. Vitamin D3 could be more than three times as effective as vitamin D2 in raising serum 25(OH)D concentrations and maintaining those levels for a longer time, and its metabolites have superior affinity for vitamin D-binding proteins in plasma [6,32,33]. [Further] research is needed on the comparative physiological effects of both forms. Many supplements are being reformulated to contain vitamin D3 instead of vitamin D2 [33]. Both forms (as well as vitamin D in foods and from [sun exposure]) effectively raise serum 25(OH)D levels [6].

**From the National Institute of Health: "Sunscreens with a sun protection factor of 8 or more appear to block vitamin D-producing UV rays, although in practice people generally do not apply sufficient amounts, cover all sun-exposed skin, or reapply sunscreen regularly [31]. Skin likely synthesizes some vitamin D even when it is protected by sunscreen as typically applied."

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Badger me, please!

I gave a short review of Badger Balm Face & Body Sunblock in my first post, but felt it deserved a separate and complete review. I discovered this sunscreen after spending a day last October researching various sunscreens and their effectiveness.

Let's start with the economics. Badger Balm Face & Body Sunblock in SPF 30 comes in a 2.9 ounce tube that will cost you around $16. This is quite expensive for such a small amount of sunscreen, which isn't a cost effective option for daily, all-over use. I keep Badger in my purse and use it on my hands, arms and chest. If you are planning to use this sunscreen everyday and on your whole body, be prepared to pay a pretty penny for the replenishment of this product. I would recommend using the sunscreen for extended sun exposure at the beach or pool because Badger really does deliver reliable, long-lasting protection. I have yet to find a daily, all-over sunscreen that is all-natural and cost effective, although I have been meaning to try Mexitan sunblock (5.4 oz, $19), which seems to have all these traits.

The first thing you notice with the Badger sunscreen is the rather strong lavender scent. This does not bother me, but I can see it being a bother to some. One Amazon reviewer called the scent "medicinal." It just smells like strong lavender to me.

The main active ingredient in Badger sunscreen is 20.5% micronized zinc oxide, a mineral that provides safe and effective protection against UVA and UVB rays. This high concentration of zinc oxide makes for a serious UV shield on your skin. The problem with zinc oxide is it tends to leave behind a white residue if you're not careful to sufficiently rub in the sunscreen. This will happen with Badger, so make sure to rub, rub, rub! You still might be left with a very faint, whitish tint, which I certainly don't mind. It also takes some time for the cream to absorb, depending on the amount that you use. Even if it doesn't fully absorb, you get the feeling that you are extremely protected from those harmful UV rays. This sunscreen will also keep you protected in the water and while you sweat for 40 minutes!

The lotion itself is a bit thick and has a grainy texture. The graininess disappears once you rub in the cream. Badger doesn't spread easily once you have it more or less rubbed in, so before you start rubbing in the sunscreen, make sure to dab sunscreen in different parts of the area you are trying to cover, then rub.

The sunscreen also serves as a moisturizer, and to this end, the company has added olive oil, beeswax, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and Wild African Shea Butter, all certified organic ingredients. Safe, effective AND hydrating!

If you don't mind the relative high cost and potential white residue issues, then I highly recommend this sunscreen, at least for use on your hands, arms and chest. Click HERE to read reviews on Amazon. Most complaints are about the cost and white residue. Read More

Caffeine makes you skin cancer-free?

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology recently published a study that believes caffeine intake may be linked to a decrease in skin cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) contests this study, stating there is "no definitive link between the two"---yet.

"While this is an interesting concept that has been explored before, it will take years of extensive testing to determine whether this will be a worthwhile prevention method," said Dr. Albert Lefkovits, a spokesman for the SCF.

According to Lefkovits, the study does not address how much caffeine intake is needed to prevent skin cancer, and there are many people who drink large amounts of coffee and still get skin cancer. The only way to avoid it is the old-fashioned way---protective measures and yearly skin examinations by your dermatologist.

Click here for the SCF's official statement. Read More

NYU, here I come!

I've kept this a little under wraps, but I wanted to be the first to tell you all: I got into NYU's graduate program for Nutrition and Dietetics! Yes, I am going back to school. I never thought I would be saying this, but I'm excited to return to the classroom, meet new friends, learn new material, and late night cram. Okay, maybe I'm not thrilled about the cramming part and it certainly won't be late night because I've learned I need to be in bed by 10:30 PM.

How did I come to apply to this program? I've always been interested in helping others live a healthier lifestyle, and it first started with Carasol. After encountering my own health problems and immersing myself in the world of food and health, I realized that nutrition was one of my callings (Carasol and photography being the others), and I wanted to help others feel as good as I do through diet and lifestyle changes. I did a search for graduate programs and found one in my area at NYU. I applied on February 1 and heard back this past Thursday, March 19. The acceptance came in a SMALL envelope, and my heart dropped for a second before I noticed that the envelope was rather plump. I ripped the envelope open, and looked for one word and there it was: congratulations. It was a great feeling to get an acceptance letter and it brought back those warm, fuzzy feelings I got during high school school whenever I received a college acceptance. Hard work really does pay off and I can't wait for classes to start in the fall. Read More

Say it ain't so, Coco!

Two of my previous posts were dedicated to decrying the tan as a harmful and worthless trend. It's no secret that I am passionately against tanning, and most of my posts usually hint at this point of view. Continuing on my anti-tan campaign, I've decided to recount a short tale of Coco Chanel, crediting with bringing the suntan craze to world in 1923.

According to the legend, on a voyage from Paris to Cannes aboard the yacht the Duke of Wellington, Coco accidently fell asleep on the deck of the ship. She acquired a sunburn, which developed into a tan, and after returning to Paris, flaunted her new look at the fashion shows. The world quickly took notice and women in Paris and beyond began adopting a new skin color. Coco, so highly regarded for her pioneering skills and staying power in the world of fashion, had inadvertently started a craze, which was encouraged by the looser clothing styles of the time. Gone were the days that pale skin was revered in the West. Tanned skin replaced this standard and became the ultimate symbol of leisure and wealth, with novels like F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night illustrating the upper class embrace of the trend.

While many still perceive the tan as attractive and desirable, there is a growing number of people that realize tanned skin is not worth the momentary gratification. There are some undeniable health benefits to limited sun exposure, namely the production of vitamin D, but this is no license to sit out and bake for hours. So, here's to smart sun exposure, natural skin color and staying cancer-free! Read More

Embrace Your Outer Pale, Oscar Edition

A couple of weeks ago, I posted an entry that discussed the Death of Tanned Skin in the fashion world. Go With Your Own Glow, the Skin Cancer Foundation's new public awareness campaign, and Simon Doonan, creative director at Barney's, partnered together and chose 5 standout celebrities who strutted down the red carpet looking lovely with their untanned skin:

1) Freida Pinto
2) Kate Winslet
3) Amy Adams
4) Teraji Henson
5) Anne Hathaway

These ladies are commendable for promoting healthy, glowing skin and showing the world that natural skin color is attractive and Oscar-worthy. As Doonan says, "[tanned] skin is very 80s porno star," and while beauty standards are always evolving, let's hope the tanned skin ideal is never revived.

Click HERE for pictures of the 5 red carpet (untanned) beauties. Read More

Embrace Your Outer Pale

The Skin Cancer Foundation has a great video highlighting the fact that tan skin has become less desirable. The video features interviews with various beauty editors at some top magazines, all of whom claim that tan skin has lots its appeal in the high fashion world. These editors are setting an example by choosing models whose outer glow is natural, healthy and attractive. Click HERE for this inspirational video.

Until people move away from the perception that tan skin is healthy, there will be high rates of skin cancer and premature skin aging. Just remember to stay strong when your friends are making fun of you for parking yourself under an umbrella, hat and sunscreen on the beach. You'll certainly be the one with the last laugh. Read More

Anything But Forgettable

On this memorable day, I would like to pay homage to my newfound obsession. I am in LOVE with Colorescience's Sunforgettable SPF 30 brush. Apparently, it's been around for years, but I'd never heard about it until this past December. The skin counter attendant at my dermatologist's office had me at "it's a powder sunscreen" and I knew I had to try it. It cost a rather steep $50, but the lady reassured me that it would last me nine months. You might ask, how am I going to clean this brush? I can't go NINE MONTHS using the same brush without cleaning it and having water get into the powder. Don't fret! A tissue, some rubbing alcohol and a little wiping will easily solve the germ hazard.

This handy form of sun protection is amazing for a couple reasons. The first---it actually works. My dermatologist reassured me that the ingredients they use are sun stable. The second---it fits into any purse, big or small. The third---you can reapply over your makeup at any time. The fourth---it's water resistant! While I would use cream-based sunscreens if I were spending a lot of time in the water, I could see myself retouching my face, neck and chest or the back of my hands if I were in a hurry and didn't have time for my heavy-duty sunscreen to absorb.

I bought the brush in the color "Perfectly Clear" because of my olive skin tone. The "Almost Clear" was a bit too dark for me, and the "All Clear" was certainly too light for me (think Nicole Kidman skin tone). I take the brush everywhere and midday I usually give myself a touch up (I still use my normal Elta sunscreen under my makeup every morning). The powder is light on your skin and even adds a slight matte effect. You usually have to hit or shake the brush a couple of times to get the powder to fall onto the brush, and make sure the cap protecting the brush is pushed down all the way; powder won't make it's way onto the brush.

This brush has made my outdoor ventures much more enjoyable. With this little brush, I know my skin will get all-day protection because of the convenience of its size and effectiveness of its contents. Hooray! Read More