Target Heart Rate? 4 Reasons Not to Sweat It
SEP 21, 2023If you’ve ever wondered what number is ideal for your fitness, or even tried to hit a “target” heart rate, our provider has some tips for you.
Read MoreIf you’re headed to a distant beach this summer, you might want to check your bag. Many Mexican vacation spots already ask tourists to use natural rather than the chemical sunscreens. Four more popular vacation destinations are the process of banning chemical sunscreens:
Hawaii (2021)
Key West, Florida (2021)
Bonaire (2021)
Palau (2020)
Other locales are likely to follow this trend. It’s not because sunscreens are dangerous to humans. Instead they’re damaging coral reefs which are already struggling to survive. Researchers have found that chemical, non-biodegradable sunscreens cause bleaching, which is a whitening of coral tissues and eventual death. It also affects anemones and other creatures living on coral reefs. The sunscreen substance being banned is oxybenzone. It’s what you find in chemical sunscreens which absorb light and prevent harmful rays from sinking into the skin.
Instead, vacationers – and anyone concerned about oxybenzone’s impact on the environment – should choose sunscreens which are considered natural and physically block harmful rays. These sunscreens contain titanium oxide or zinc oxide. Also called sun blocks, both substances reflect the sun’s rays so they are not absorbed in the skin. These are widely available commercially under several brand names.
The only drawback to natural sunscreen is it can leave a white film on your skin, depending on the brand. As a dermatologist who treats skin cancers, I say: Who cares! When you’re out in the sun, it’s better to look protected. Remember, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.
To those considering indoor tanning be prepare for a tropical vacation, please reconsider. More people develop skin cancer because of indoor tanning than develop lung cancer because of smoking. Those who have ever tanned indoors have a 67% increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. If you’re looking for sunscreen alternatives, you may have run across sunscreen pills. While supplements containing Polypodium leucotomos can help prevent sun damage from UV rays, they are in no way a substitute for sunscreen.
Good sun habits are still the best approach for preventing skin cancers:
If you have kids, consider Australia’s SunSmart approach. It’s been successful in reducing skin cancers because it teaches healthy habits starting at a young age:
If you’ve ever wondered what number is ideal for your fitness, or even tried to hit a “target” heart rate, our provider has some tips for you.
Read MoreKidney stones have a reputation for causing a tremendous amount of pain. While they can be excruciating, the good news is pain can be controlled and permanent damage can be avoided if treated promptly.
Read MoreIf you have questions about cholesterol, you’re not alone. High cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidemia...
Read MoreWhen you need local health information from a trusted source, turn to the CHI Health Better You eNewsletter.