Archive for the ‘Skin Care’ Category

Be Careful under the Sun (And Tanning Bed)

Posted by on April 5th, 2012

A study published from the Mayo Clinic reports a dramatic rise of skin cancer for people under 40. It reports that between the years 1970 and 2009, the incidence of melanoma increased over 8 times among young women and four times among young men ages 18 to 39.

The researchers speculate that the use of indoor tanning beds is a key culprit in the rising cancer rate in this younger demographic. Previous studies have linked tanning beds to skin cancer, including one that found that people who use them are 74% more likely to develop melanoma. In 2009, tanning beds were declared a human carcinogen by the International Agency of Research on Cancer. This puts them in the same cancer risk category as cigarettes.

CanadaDrugs.com, Canadian pharmacy can’t protect you from the harmful rays of a tanning bed, but our full line of discount sunscreen products are a cost effective way to protect yourself and your family from outside rays.

Doctors recommend that you learn the ABCDE of skincare to educate yourself about the signs of skin cancer.

  • Asymmetry – one half unlike the other half
  • Borders – irregular or scalloped edges
  • Colour – different colours or shades of colours – can be white, red, black, or brown
  • Diameter – larger than 6 mm
  • Evidence – evidence of any change

If you see any changes in moles or marks on your skin that follow one of the ABCDE principles you should check with your doctor because early detection is key.

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UV Safety Month

Posted by on July 12th, 2011

July marked UV Safety Month, an annual awareness month where the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Eye Doctor’s around the country encourage everyone to protect their eyes from UV-related damage.

We all know the importance of using sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but what about protection for our eyes? During UV Safety Month people are reminded that the summer sun can not only lead to harmful burns and increased risk of skin cancer, but that prolonged exposure to the sun’s invisible, high energy ultraviolet rays without protection may cause eye conditions that can lead to vision loss, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

To protect your eyes it is recommended that you wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat when the UV index is high. It is also worth remembering that reflected sunlight off water, snow or pavement can be the most dangerous because it is intensified.

When picking sunglasses you want ones the block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of the lens. UV protection can come from adding chemicals to the lens material during manufacturing or from a chemical coating applied to the lens surface, so don’t just assume that the darker your shades are that the better they protect. Also, the more expensive sunglasses are not necessarily better than cheaper ones when it comes to offering you eye protection. Many inexpensive sunglasses offer just as much sun protection as $500 designer eye wear.

So when you’re out playing in the summer sun, make sure you apply sunscreen bought from Canada Drugs online pharmacy and that you don’t forget your hat and sunglasses too to ensure that you are fully protected from the sun.

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Know Your Sunscreen Facts

Posted by on July 6th, 2011

The federal government last week for the first time in more than 3 decades issued new sunscreen labeling regulations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new regulations attempt to ban sunscreen manufacturers from labeling their products with misleading information. The new rules which will go into effect in a years time should help sun worshipers better protect themselves by clarifying the confusing and misleading labeling on sunscreens and suntan lotions that often leave people confused about exact product is best to protect themselves and their family from harmful radiation.

The full guideline of new regulations can be read at the FDA website. Among the highlights of the new rules that you might notice when shopping for a sunscreen.

  • Products will no longer be able to be labeled “waterproof” or “sweatproof.” Instead, they will have to list how many minutes they can last in the face of moisture. Also gone? The word “sunblock.” Too misleading.
  • Only sunscreens found, in the lab, to protect equally against UVA and UVB rays will carry a “broad spectrum” designation. (The current SPF ratings that most consumers rely on refer to how well sunscreen stands up to UVB rays only.) In addition, only sunscreens that are SPF 15 and higher will be able to claim they reduce the risks of skin cancer and aging.

SPF, or the Sun Protection Factor, measures a sunscreen’s ability to protect against UVB rays, which are the rays that cause skin to redden. So does sunscreen with SPF 30 provide double the protection of SPF 15? According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the reality looks like this: SPF 15 blocks 93 per cent of UVB rays; SPF 30 blocks 97 per cent; and SPF 50 blocks 98 per cent. Sunscreen isn’t additive, either, so putting on sunscreen with SPF 15 over a lotion with SPF 30 doesn’t equal SPF 45. and while SPF is an important factor when buying sunscreen, it doesn’t protect against UVA rays. Even though these rays don’t cause sunburn like UVB rays, they’re still dangerous. For starters, UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing premature aging, including wrinkles, sagging and discolouration. Worse, they exacerbate UVB’s damaging effects and cause skin cancer. To shield skin from both UVB and UVA rays, find a sunscreen with “broad-spectrum protection.” Some ingredients to look for include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, physical ingredients that offer UVA and UVB protection and are gentler on the skin than chemical formulas.

Besides knowing what’s in the sunscreen products it’s also smart to use them correctly. It’s always best to apply your sunscreen BEFORE you go outside! If you read the instructions on the back of product you will see that the manufactures recommend applying the sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you’re exposed to the sun’s powerful rays. That time let’s your skin absorb some of the product and makes it more effective.

Many people also don’t use enough sunscreen. It’s recommended that an adult needs about 1 ounce of sunscreen for adequate coverage and remember to apply the lotion or spray to all exposed skin. Many people forget about their ears, neck and feet, only to end up with a nasty and uncomfortable burn later in the day! Besides making sure you use enough, it will work better if applied to clean, dry skin and should always be reapplied after perspiring, exercise or swimming. The waterproof, and water resistant products still need to be reapplied after a certain amount of time to make sure they will continue to work.

And one more quick tip to make sure that you get the most out of your sunscreen…make sure you put it on! It seems simple, but even on overcast days, the sun is still in the sky and you are still getting UV radiation, so apply sunscreen no matter what the cloud cover is. Most weather reports will now include a UV warning, so let that guide your decision to wear sunscreen or not.

Everyone at CanadaDrugs.com wants our customers to enjoy the summer sun, but do it safely, that’s why we carry a full line of popular brand and comparable generics sunscreen products. Canada Drugs offers the widest assortment of OTC sunscreen products of any online pharmacy. We carry a variety of lotions, creams and spray sun protection products at all SPF levels. We sell all the major brand names available in the United States, as well as a selection of products available from other countries.

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UV Safety Month

Posted by on July 28th, 2010

July marked UV Safety Month, an annual awareness month where the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Eye Doctor’s around the country encourage everyone to protect their eyes from UV-related damage.

We all know the importance of using sunscreen to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, but what about protection for our eyes? During UV Safety Month people are reminded that the summer sun can not only lead to harmful burns and increased risk of skin cancer, but that prolonged exposure to the sun’s invisible, high energy ultraviolet rays without protection may cause eye conditions that can lead to vision loss, such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

To protect your eyes it is recommended that you wear sunglasses and a wide brimmed hat when the UV index is high. It is also worth remembering that reflected sunlight off water, snow or pavement can be the most dangerous because it is intensified.

When picking sunglasses you want ones the block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the darkness of the lens. UV protection can come from adding chemicals to the lens material during manufacturing or from a chemical coating applied to the lens surface, so don’t just assume that the darker your shades are that the better they protect. Also, the more expensive sunglasses are not necessarily better than cheaper ones when it comes to offering you eye protection. Many inexpensive sunglasses offer just as much sun protection as $500 designer eye wear.

So when you’re out playing in the summer sun, make sure you apply sunscreen bought from Canada Drugs online pharmacy and that you don’t forget your hat and sunglasses too to ensure that you are fully protected from the sun.

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National Sun Safety Week

Posted by on June 14th, 2010

The second week of June marks the annual National Sun Safety Week sponsored by the Sun Safety Alliance, an organization dedicated to reducing the incidence of skin cancer in America and creating better awareness about the importance of sun safety as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The Sun Safety Alliance emphasizes these facts:

More than one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year.

  • One in five Americans are estimated to develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
  • One American dies of melanoma almost every hour.
  • Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common forms of skin cancer, but are easily treated if detected early.
  • UV rays can cause premature aging of the skin and skin cancer.

As summer moves into full swing and everyone is outside in the sun more often and for longer periods of time it’s best to remember these tips from the Sun Safety Alliance:

  • Generously apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 which provides broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Re-apply at least every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
  • Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, a wide- brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection.
  • Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Avoid tanning beds. UV light from tanning beds can lead to skin cancer and wrinkling. Consider using a sunless self-tanning product instead.
  • Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging UV rays, increasing your chance of sunburn.
  • Check UV, heat, and air quality indexes
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Remember to practice sun safety every day, all year long!

Canada Drugs, Canadian Pharmacy carries a full assortment of various sunscreen products, both OTC and prescription versions of the most popular brand and generic products.  Click here to search the products we currently carry and give yourself some protection outside this summer while you are soaking up some sun.

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