Posted on 19 May, 2011 -
9 Tips for Summer Survival
Why nearly 19% of people were found to develop an adverse reaction to the suncream they applied
An alternative suncream that’s 100% natural while being just as effective
PLUS: 7 more tips for sun and heatwave survival
Dear Reader,
We all know that we should be putting on suncream throughout the summer months. It can protect us against the sunburn that’s responsible for the continually-increasing cases of skin cancer - and it’s also said to help decrease the appearance of wrinkles.
Schools and nurseries have now become so militant about kids needing to wear hats and sunscreen all the time that I wouldn’t even dare admit to forgetting it one day in case I got a call from the headmistress or social services.
There is one thing, however, that truly worries me about this national slathering-on of suncream: it is full of artificial ingredients and chemicals.
What are all those chemicals doing to you when they’re baked into your skin?
Several children I know are unable to wear normal suncream without coming up in a rash. In fact, you only have to look at the ingredient list on the back of a bottle to feel your own skin under attack from chemicals…
And I have just read about a study carried our at the University of Melbourne that found that 18.9% of subjects developed an adverse reaction to the suncream they were applying. In fact, contact dermatitis as a result of a reaction to chemicals found in health and beauty creams is another thing that’s on the increase in general…
But is there an alternative?
An effective suncream that’s 100% natural
Yes, there is. There are some sun protection ranges out there that claim to be kinder to the skin or more natural than others but there is only one range I have managed to find that contains 100% natural ingredients.
Biosolis is a range that is manufactured in Belgium so is quite hard to find in the UK. I have now, however, manage to source a supply which I have uploaded onto my publisher’s shop pages so that you can get hold of some too. Check them out here
There are three different products available and they are all:
Derived from plants and minerals only.
Sun protection is carried out by mineral filters and are guaranteed free from nanoparticles.
A high level of protection is achieved in accordance with all European standards for sun protection.
No white residue is left on the skin.
Organic aloe vera soothes, rejuvenates and hydrates the skin.
Click here to find out how you can get hold of these suncreams
Another thing to watch with suncreams
One further danger of suncreams to remember, of course, is that they do not guarantee to protect you from sunburn or skin cancer - and can give you a false sense of security.
Skin cancer is mainly caused by too much exposure to bright sunlight and specifically sunburn it is now believed. The lighter your skin, the more at risk you are.
Another interesting insight I gained on the Cancer UK website was about the distribution of skin cancer cases on different parts of the body, by sex. While the figure for the trunk of the body was 41% for men, it was 19% for women. Meanwhile, women suffered 40% of cases on their legs, men just 13%.
Men - watch out when you feel the urge to strip down to the waste in the midday sun. And women you need to take better care of your legs…
7 more tips for sun and heatwave survival
The rampant heatwave appears to have abated for the moment but I am told it will be back. Here, therefore, are 7 more tips to help you stay comfortable, protect yourself from dangers and survive in the heat and the sun:
Think of others during a heatwave. When temperatures move above 30 you’ll be looking for ways to keep yourself and your home as cool as possible. An important reminder I liked from the Department of Health was to make sure you also think of (particularly elderly) friends, relatives and neighbours who might be at risk during a heatwave.
In the garden, clay and wood pots allow the soil to dry out more quickly than plastic ones. If you don’t want to switch to plastic pots for aesthetic reasons then plastic liners with drainage holes can be placed inside your wood or clay ones to give you the same moisture retention benefits.
Don’t water your lawn! Not only is it extremely wasteful of water (using a hosepipe or sprinkler for just one hour will use as much water as the average person normally uses in a week) but it won’t do your lawn any favours either. Turning brown is the natural survival mechanism of grass and it will return to health when the rain comes back. Watering grass encourages shallow rooting which means your lawn becomes more at risk during dry conditions leading to a catch 22 situation if you do start watering. Watering also increases the chance of disease on your lawn. Also remember that longer grass holds water better…
Dogs are more likely to bite in the summer. Like us, dogs can get irritable when they’re overheating - especially if children playing outside prevent them from relaxing in the garden! Small children are especially at risk because they are not so quick to recognise the danger.
Make sure your pets don’t overheat or get dehydrated. According to Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, “symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.”
If you have trouble sleeping during hot nights, try using a fan and ice to create your own air conditioning unit! Buy a big bag of ice cubes from the supermarket and put them onto a large shallow tray such as a roasting tin. Next, set up a fan so that it blows onto the ice and the cooled air reaches you in your bed!
If the house is getting too hot during the day, make sure you close all the curtains or the windows will act like a greenhouse.
Best wishes for a perfect summer ahead!
