With all the heat that NY has been getting, more and more people are seeking relief by either cooping up indoors with the A/C on full blast, or lounging pool/beach side. With outdoor recreation, especially with the sun at it's highest all year, care should be taken to avoid burning.
I am NOT an advocate of excessive suntan lotion/sunscreen use. Your skin NEEDS the sun in order to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is now being attributed to a myriad of health problems, so either get it from the sun or in a supplement as D3.Â
Now, I know many of you are concerned about skin cancer. Of course we all should be. But properly training your skin to the effects of the sun is essential to AVOID getting burned. If you cannot acclimate to the sun earlier in the season, then you MUST choose a sunscreen without the harmful chemicals that will probably give you cancer of another sort down the road.
The brand I use for my family is Carribean Solutions Sol Kare. It's natural, waterproof, and even coral reef friendly for those who snorkel or swim where there are reefs. We have limited supplies in the office, so call if you need some.
Remember, do not stay out in the sun until you burn. It's already too late. Where natural, shaded clothing and drink lots of water. Keep something nearby to provide shade so that you can go in/out of the sun easily.
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Have a healthy summer!
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Yours in health, naturally,
Dr. Brunengraber
www.SmithtownWellness.net (our old site, but not offline yet!)