Can We Talk 2

The Ozone Layer Isn't What It Used To Be

         It's not the same world we grew up in. The sun is burning through the protective ozone layer. We've reduced our use of aerosol. Industry is under regulations to control their emissions. But the damage has been done.

         As a result we are seeing more skin cancer than our grandparents, maybe our parents. Glaucoma and cataracts are developing in our eyes about ten years sooner than they did in our elders. So what are we doing about it?

         We can't be sun worshipers the way people used to be. No sitting outdoors all day with only baby oil or water. No aluminum foil under our chins. We have to use our SPF daily, even in winter.Our sunglasses need UV protection. This makes it tough on parents. You can find sunglasses for toddlers with a strap to keep them attached while playing in the water or in the yard.The UV protection wraps around the corners, too. An SPF of 50 or more is recommended for children, 25 for adults.

         Most ladies use a moisturizer with an SPF included. However, studies have shown that most are stingy or careless with it, so it is not applied evenly over the whole face. For this reason, an SPF of 30 is recommended in an effort to compensate. If your foundation also has an SPF, you're more likely to get coverage all over. Some moisturizers only have a rating of 15, so get the right kind. Hats with a UV rating are recommended for sports watchers or gardeners. So put a hat and glasses on to mow your lawn.

         Don't forget your tennis players, swimmers, and baseball players in the family. They should use a sports strength sunscreen, designed to withstand sweating. Why let your kids be set up for problems 2 or 3 decades from now? I have actually heard people say they don't need sunscreen because they are dark-skinned or already tanned. Wrong. Black people get skin cancer just as often, but it doesn't show up as quickly, so it's usually at a more advanced stage when it's discovered. And tanned people need protection from the harsh rays, too. We're not trying to prevent a healthy glow or tans, only damage.