Timeless Beauty

English: Two photographs of a man wearing sunscreen (spf 50) on one half of his face, in visible light (left) and ultraviolet light (UV-A, 340-355nm) (right). The sunscreen on the left side of his face absorbs ultraviolet, making that side appear darker in the UV picture. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The new FDA-approved regulations on product labeling for sunscreen lotions and other skin care products will take effect without delay on the 18th of June this year. As mandated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S., all these skincare products that claim to provide protection from the harsh effects of long-term exposure to the sun must print additional info about the product's coverage and features. For one, it must be "water resistant" to ensure the layer of cream or lotion remains on the person's skin and continues to shield it against ultra-violet rays coming from direct sunlight. Another thing, it must have "broad spectrum coverage," w...

Image via Wikipedia Summer is here once again and it's been very hot here in the tropics. Sales of hammocks, whicker seats, garden benches, and other outdoor furniture is in full swing. And, if you plan on sunbathing, you can choose a sturdy lounge chair that you can lie on while tanning. Be careful, though, not to expose your skin too long to the sun's harmful UV rays. Apply sunblock lotion liberally on the exposed parts of your skin. Sunblock can prevent too much absorption of harmful UV rays while still allowing your skin to produce melanin, the hormone that results to darkening of the skin as a response to solar exposure. Even if your sunblock lotion has an SPF of 75, it won't stop your skin from tanning. It will only prevent sunburn, and regulate the amount of UV rays being absorbed by the skin.