"A tan is a visual mark of good health." How many of us believe or have believed this?
While sporting a rich, bronze tan makes us look and feel more attractive and healthy, nothing could be further than the truth. We've all heard about the damaging effects of over exposure to the sun from the medical community for years. Over exposure to the sun is harmful to our skin. When ultra violet (UV) rays from the sun penetrate our skin, even into the dermis, the second deepest layer of skin, structural damage occurs. It is the dermis layer that gives our skin shape and flexiblity. When the dermis stretches and sags, it has lost its elasticity and firmness. Brown spots appear and wrinkles appear. This is called Photo Aging; aging due to light exposure.
With this information, I find it shocking to see so many adults and teenagers ignore these warnings. Even more shocking, is to hear that people are still venturing into tanning booths and tanning beds, which are even more damaging than the sun, according to my dermatologist.

Note to Teens
Sure, you're young and beautiful now, but please understand that the sun you worship today will be the one you curse between the ages of 38 and 45, as its damaging effects reappear with a vengeance. Taje care of your skin from the beginning, and you'll have healthy and young looking skin when you are older. It is that simple.

Does this mean no more tanning?
Well, yes and no. While you want to stay out of direct sunlight and discontinue sun worship and certainly avoid tanning beds and booths, you can get a fabulous, natural looking tan safely and quickly in an hour. We offer a wonderful service, the Buff - n - Bronze, which tans you from head to toe. Continue your natural looking tan with the St. Tropez Tanning System.

Sunscreen is your best defense against aging skin. Can it be this simple? Yes. Protect your face and hands with a moisturizer containing a minimum of 30 SPF. We carry a variety of high performance moisturizing sunscreens, including Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion. It is oil and fragrance free, contains ceramides, gingko biloba, micellized vitamins A and E, and also Parsol 1789, the agent that protects you from UVB rays.
Apply your sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and remember to reapply every two hours. Avoid extended exposure to the sun during the peak day light hours, between 10 AM and 3 PM. Keep in mind there is no such thing as a sun block, except opaque walls. Even water resistant and water proof sun screens need to reapplied often while swimming or sweating.
For more information on these or any topics, contact Susan at 603-651-8976 or email: Susan@ZenGlow.com