LOVE . SUN . BEAUTY

We’ve compiled a list of things we thought you should know about skin, pigmentation and photosensitivity in order for you to better understand how to protect yourself! Don’t be freaked out by the medical terms, we’ve explained everything for you! And if you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact us and ask.

What exactly is your skin?

This is your body's outer covering, which protects against heat and light, injury, and infection. Skin regulates body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. The skin, which weighs about 6 pounds, is the body's largest organ. It is made up of two main layers: the epidermis and the dermis. The outer layer of the skin (epidermis) is mostly made up of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells. Under the squamous cells are round cells called basal cells. The deepest part of the epidermis also contains melanocytes, cells that produce melanin, which gives the skin its color. The inner layer of skin (dermis) contains blood and lymph vessels, hair follicles, and glands that produce sweat, which helps regulate body temperature, and sebum, an oily substance that helps keep the skin moisturized.[1] However, sometimes the skin needs a little extra help staying moisturized, especially if you have dry skin, so make sure to drink lots of water and to use a moisturizer daily that fits your skin type!

Hyper-pigmentation? Hypo-pigmentation? What's that?

Hyper- and hypo-pigmentation are forms of skin discoloration. The skin does an amazing job protecting us from the ravages of daily life, such as, sun, pollution and other environmental factors. However, when the skin becomes injured or even during the normal aging process, it may darken and start to show uneven brown spots. This is known as hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin. Hyperpigmentation can affect the skin color of people of any race.

On the opposite side of the coin, Hypo-pigmentation is the loss of skin color; it can appear pinkish and lighter in tone than the rest of your skin color. This is caused by the depletion of melanin, related to sun damage and sometimes can occur due skin inflammation or vitiligo.[2]

Seeing Spots?

Freckles, sun spots, brown spots, age spots or "liver" spots; none of these sound very attractive, but they are all terms that are used to identify a form of hyper-pigmentation. They occur due to sun damage, and are referred to by doctors as solar lentigines.^[3] These small, darkened patches are usually found on the hands and face or other areas frequently exposed to the sun.

Usually treatment is required to eliminate them and, even then, results are temporary. Take proper precautions in the sun and you’ll keep sun spots from appearing. The best way to prevent spots is to wear sunscreen with the proper SPF and to protect your skin from sun exposure. Luckily, we have a huge variety of apparel to help you with that! Find your gem here.

Know your Mole ABC’s

Moles, brown spots and growths on the skin are usually harmless — but not always. Anyone who has more than 100 moles is at greater risk for melanoma. The first signs can appear in one or more atypical moles. That's why it's so important to get to know your skin very well and to recognize any changes in the moles on your body. Look for the ABCDEs of melanoma, and if you see one or more, make an appointment with a physician immediately.

• Asymmetric- A brown spot will generally remain the same shape and size, whereas a cancerous spot transforms and changes shape and size. Cancerous spots’ shapes tend to be distorted and become irregular in color and size. If you draw an imaginary line through the mole and the two halves do not match, see your physician. The moment your spot starts changing in any of these regards, it’s time to visit the doctor.
• Border- The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.
• Color-Brown spots will be just that—a brownish color, like a freckle or mole. Melanoma can also be brown, but can also have pigments of white, red, and pink.
• Diameter- Melanomas are usually larger in diameter than the size of a pencil eraser (1/4 or 6mm), but may sometimes be smaller when first detected.
• Evolving- Any change in size, shape, color, elevation, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting points to danger.[4]

Always keep an eye on any brown spots to make sure they aren’t cancerous. Even though a brown spot and melanoma can look similar, these are just some of the visual differences to look out for. Just remember, if you’re at all uncertain, visit your dermatologist. It’s better to be safe!

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What is Photosensitivity?

Some medical conditions, skin treatments, and medications cause skin to become abnormally sensitive to the sun; this increased sensitivity is known as photosensitivity. Those with photosensitive usually experience a skin rash caused by UVA and UVB rays, on their face, arms, hands, and chest.

There are numerous conditions, medications, and even sunscreens that can cause photosensitivity.

Skin conditions that can cause photosensitivity:

• Hives
• Eczema
• Dermatitis
• Rosacea
• Psoriasis

Medical conditions that can cause photosensitivity:

• Lupus (http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html)
• Albinism (http://www.albinism.org/)
• Crohn’s disease (http://www.ccfa.org/)
• Porphyria (http://www.porphyriafoundation.com/)
• Multiple Sclerosis (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/)
• Lyme disease (http://www.aldf.com/)
• Bloom Syndrome (http://www.bloomssyndrome.org/)
• Vitiligo (http://nvfi.org/)
• Xeroderma pigmentosum (http://www.xps.org/)
• Sjogren’s Syndrome (http://www.sjogrens.org/)
• Dravet Syndrome (http://www.dravetfoundation.org/)
• Photodynamic therapy for skin cancerMedications and drugs that can cause photosensitivity:

• John’s Wort
• Peridex
• Antibiotics (Tetracycline, Cipro, Levaquin, Oracea, Atridox, Bactrim, Septra, Phisohex)
• Antihistamines (Benadryl)
• Acne medications (Accutane, Soriatane)
• Psychiatric drugs (Thorazine, Norpramin, Tofranil)
• Retinoids (Retin-A, Isotretinoin, Acitretin)
• Pain killers and anti-inflammatories (Celebrex, Ibuprofen, Naprelan, Aleve, Anaprox, Feldene)
• Coal tar
• Oral contraceptives
• Lasix
• Diabetic drugs (Diabinese, Micronase, DiaBeta, Glynase)

Ingredients in sunscreens that can cause photosensitivity:

• Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
• Oxybenzone
• Cyclohexanol
• Benzophenones
• Salicylates
• Cinnamate

Cancer chemotherapy drugs that can cause photosensitivity:

• 5-fluorouracil (Efudex, Carac, Fluoroplex)
• Vinblastine (Velban, Velsar)
• Dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome)

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As a general rule, to protect yourself, avoid unprotected sun exposure! Wear safe sunscreen with the right SPF, a glamourous sun hat and, of course, your favorite item of Sundriven® protective apparel!

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Authors: Mitzi Runyan & May Jabado

Sources: [1] http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7901
[2] http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003242.htm
[3] http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/hyperpigmentation.html
[4] http://americancancerfund.org/basic-cancer-info/basic-info/skin

Of course our mission here at Sundriven is to protect women around the world from the harmful effects of the sun. This week, I was excited to come across a new invention, and happy to see others with the same mission...

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A pair of new studies show that a new smartphone app, Solar Cell, encourages people to spend more time in the shade and less time in the sun, while also pushing them towards wearing protective, and hats.

Klein Buendel, a health communication research organization based in Golden, Colorado is producing Solar Cell in partnership with the National Cancer Institute. Most health-related apps undergo little to no formal testing, but Buller and his colleagues conducted two clinical trials on Solar Cell, randomly assigning participants to either use the app or not while testing their sun-protection behaviors.

The app offers personalized sun-protection advice based on real-time ultraviolet (UV) light forecasts and the user's own risk factors for sun damage, such as skin tone. Solar Cell's full version will roll out in spring 2015, David Buller, a research director at Klein Buendel, said. For now, users can get a free, basic version called sunZapp for Android or iOS.

Klein Buendel found that people who used the app reported spending more time engaging in sun-protection behaviors, such as wearing protective clothing, and less time in the sun than those who were supposed to use the app but didn't. Interestingly, the app users also reported less sunscreen — but that might be a good thing, Buller said. Many people use sunscreen incorrectly, and shade and indoor time are often better protection, he said.

Unfortunately, the app hasn't been getting many downloads. "If you look at the general data on how apps are used, very large numbers of apps are either never downloaded or if they are downloaded, people don't use them more than once or twice," Buller told Live Science.

But why?

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The studies highlight the challenge of changing people's behavior, dermatologists Dr. A. Shadi Kourosh and Dr. Joseph Kvedar of Harvard Medical School wrote in an editorial accompanying the studies in the JAMA Dermatology journal.

"As we use more consumer-focused interventions in an environment as personal as mobile devices, we are learning that there is a gulf between educating patients and achieving behavioral change," the dermatologists, who were not involved in the studies, wrote.

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As Solar Cell becomes widely available this spring, Klein Buendel plans to target advertising to people who spend lots of time outdoors and to dermatologists who treat skin cancer patients who may be more motivated to protect themselves against the sun, Buller said. The hope is that these vulnerable and motivated populations will get the most out of the mobile app.

We HIGHLY recommend that all of our customers and readers download the app, and stay protected always using Sundriven, while outdoors. We have so much resources now to help protect us, so why not use them all the while enjoying the outdoors?

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Authors: Nazanin Yashar

Sources: http://www.livescience.com/49612-sun-protection-app-solar-cell.html

Many think that the secret behind healthy hair and glowing skin is expensive, brand name make up and products. But what if we told you that the REAL secret is actually right in your kitchen?

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 Blueberries

This low-profile berry was ranked number one in antioxidant activity by the U.S. Department of Agriculture compared to 40 common fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in blueberries protect you from premature aging, so add half a cup to your yogurt or cereal every day.

Spinach

This leafy green vegetable is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Spinach is loaded with lutein, which keeps your eyes healthy and sparkling. Spinach is also a good source of vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Trade your lettuce for spinach, or saute spinach for a quick, healthy side.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the best source of the anti-aging antioxidant lycopene. Surprisingly, lycopene in tomatoes is more easily absorbed by your body when it is cooked or processed, so make sure to stock up on canned tomato sauce, tomato juice, and ketchup.

Kiwis