Sun Survival Tips

by Ann Landi — August 7, 2006

Monday August 7th
Sunscreen Survival

It is said that only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun, but no matter how many times we hear the sun is hideously hard on our skin, many of us can’t resist a day at the beach. So please use sunscreen, and know how to apply it.

•	Choose a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more.
•	Use about one ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass, and be sure to apply it to all exposed areas, and that includes your ears, lips, and feet
•	Apply it about 15 to 20 minutes before heading out because sunblock takes that long to bind with the skin.
•	Reapply every three hours (more often if you sweat profusely) and immediately after swimming, even if the sunscreen claims to be waterproof.
•	Whenever possible, limit your time in the sun during the peak sunburn hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Tuesday August 8th
Sunburn Survival

Okay, so you went and overdid it and now you’ve turned the same shade as your lobster dinner. 

•	For mild sunburn (defined as a deep pink color accompanied by a burning sensation), try cool compresses of equal parts milk and water. Take a cool bath with a couple of tablespoons of baking soda mixed into the water. Try over-the-counter sunburn remedies containing aloe vera.
•	For moderate sunburn (the kind where you have visible strap marks and feel itching and stinging), try the above remedies but also take aspirin or ibuprofen every four hours.
•	If you have severe sunburn—blisters, fever, chills, and nausea—call your doctor immediately. In the interim, take aspirin and keep cool.
•	Never apply butter or petroleum jelly to a sunburned area and avoid using harsh soaps, and note that certain antibiotics and antidepressants can increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun.

Wednesday August 9th
Bananahead

Sun exposure, salt water, chlorine, and other hazards of summer can cause brittle, damaged hair. Your hair stylist may have some expensive treatments to push, but we’ve found an excellent home remedy for stressed-out locks. Mash a ripe banana with a tablespoon of olive oil and blend well (or mix in a blender). Apply the concoction to dry hair, cover with a shower cap, and wait 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse out, and shampoo as usual. The tryptophan in bananas, an essential amino acid, strengthens hair, and bananas’ natural potassium helps maintain a healthy pH balance.


Thursday August 10th
Bug Off

And yet another hazard of the lazy days of summer: those nasty biting critters who attack your bod at the beach. The verdict is still somewhat mixed on the chemical known as DEET, the most common ingredient in many insect repellents (recent studies by Duke University researchers showed that prolonged exposure can cause brain-cell death in lab rats, but the Environmental Protection Agency claims that “DEET, if used as directed, will not pose significant health risks to consumers”). If you’re concerned, there are products that use natural repellents, such as neem oil and eucalyptus, to fend off mosquitoes and biting flies, and they won’t leave you smelling like a can of Raid. Consider these alternatives before your next summer outing:

•	Neem Tree Farms Botanical Outdoor Gel (contains aloe vera to soothe sunburn and any bites you already have, $7)
•	Nature’s Herbal Mosquito & Insect Shield (catnip oil in this one seems to do the trick, $15)
•	Burt’s Bees repellent ($8)
•	Bug Disenchanter (also made from neem, $8)
•	Repel (a spray containing oil of lemon eucalyptus, $6)

Friday August 11th
The Kiss of Life

An excellent reason to pucker up: MAC cosmetics donates 100 percent of the retail costs of Viva Glam lipsticks and “lipglass” to HIV/AIDS research. There are five shades available (pneumatic actress and MAC spokeswoman Pamela Anderson looks great in them), and the price is a reasonable $14. (Visit www.maccosmetics.com.)