Super User RoLo Posted June 19, 2009 Super User Posted June 19, 2009 In spite of the importance of sunscreens, they are grossly misunderstood by consumers. Most people focus on the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), which is leading with the wrong foot. The SPF deals essentially with UVB rays (ultraviolet-, and only helps to reduce acute photodamage characterized by sunburning and tanning. The worrisome rays in sunlight are the UVA rays (ultraviolet-A), the fraction that causes "chronic" photodamage associated with permanent discoloration, wrinkles & skin cancer. Instead of concentrating on the SPF, you need to read the ingredients label and look for UVA suppressants such as Zinc Oxide, Avobenzone (aka Parsol 1789) and/or Titanium Dioxide. Living in Florida, I need to use the best sunscreen available. I've been using Neutrogena Age Shield for years, which contains 3.0% Avobenzene, but today I'm using a superior sunscreen (available over the net): Anthelios L (La Roche-Posay) Avobenzene 3.5% Titanium Dioxide 4.0% SPF-60 (least important of the three) (Be reminded, the SPF is not known to protect against skin cancer) Roger Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 19, 2009 Author Super User Posted June 19, 2009 RoLo, the pre and current baby boomer generation are now at the age where sun skin damage is way too common. We are living at a time that we have good sunscreen products available. Most of today's quality sunscreens will have UVA/UVB protection from micro zinc oxides,Octinoxate and Octisate; 4% to 9% depending on the brands. Eltamd.com & sunprecautions.com are a few more high quality products. To me this thread shows that younger generation fishermen and women are serious about protecting their skin from sun exposure. Thank you reminding us about SPF ratings and UVA/UVB. WRB Quote
Super User RoLo Posted June 20, 2009 Super User Posted June 20, 2009 Tom, I didn't mention "Octinoxate" because based on what I've read it filters UVB rays but offers only marginal UVA protection (the bad ray). As for octisalate, I've read that it's easily degraded by sunlight and furthermore appears to reduce the effectiveness of zinc oxide when the two agents are combined. I surely do agree with "Zinc Oxide", that stuff has long been recognized as an excellent UVA filter, and protective against permanent photodamage. In fact, those white blobs we used to see on lifeguard noses were zinc oxide. Once again, I would strongly recommend "Anthelios L", it's the real deal. Tom, thanks for bringiing up this vital subject...though it may not be pleasant, it's in every angler's interest. BTW: My wife hates that hat I wear, but I told her to get used to it. It has a wide brim, a chinstrap for windy conditions and it's waterproof (what more could I ask?) Roger Quote
Super User OkobojiEagle Posted June 20, 2009 Super User Posted June 20, 2009 RoLo... It appears that Anthelios L has been replaced by Anthelios XL, but... my question to you is why isn't it sold over the counter in this country? Is it under a different name or just not available anywhere other that through e-stores? Quote
OH-bass614 Posted June 20, 2009 Posted June 20, 2009 i usually keep coppertone sport 30 spf and 70spf around 70 for fishing and 30 if im just mowing the lawn or something but thanks rolo i had no idea about that Quote
Super User RoLo Posted June 21, 2009 Super User Posted June 21, 2009 RoLo... It appears that Anthelios L has been replaced by Anthelios XL, but... my question to you is why isn't it sold over the counter in this country? Is it under a different name or just not available anywhere other that through e-stores? Thanks for bringing that to my attention, I didn't know that Anthelios "L" had been replaced by Anthelios "XL". Whenever I find a product that I really like, I'll normally load up on that product for just such an occasion. The ingredients I quoted came directly from an "Anthelios L" sunscreen tube (I probably have enough for life). It wouldn't be so bad if they replicated or improved the old formula, but after reading the ingredients, I cannot recommend "Anthelios XL", it appears to me like a cost-cutting measure. Unless I'm missing something, they've omitted Avobenzone altogether, and reduced Titanium Dioxide from 4 to 3.6%. The best thing to do is to compare the ingredients of many sunscreens and choose the one with the highest content of Avobenzone (Parsol 1789), Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide. As for the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), that deals essentially with long sloppy UVB rays (320 to 400 nanometers) that elicit superficial, short-term damage (sunburn - tanning). Roger Quote
bass or bass ? Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 I wear long white painters pants made by Dickies, a turquoise colored long sleeve cotton fishing shirt from Cabela's that is 30 spf, a fairly wide brimmed Realtree camo hat with a mesh crown from Wal-Mart, and Cocoons Aviator fishing glasses that fit over my prescription glasses. The summer sun is brutal here in Phoenix Arizona and believe it or not , this outfit keeps me as cool as wearing shorts and a t shirt. Happy fishing. ~B.A.S.S.~N.A.F.C.~BoatU.S.~N.R.A.~ Quote
Big-O Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Have fought the Skin Cancer thing for many years and wasn't aware of the Anthelios that Rolo mentioned.........Thanks WRB and Rolo for the great info. It has been ordered and maybe I can fish a few more daytime trips in the future Big O www.ragetail.com Quote
michael Lynn Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 anyone have a good resource for the hats that cover the back of your neck? Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted June 22, 2009 Super User Posted June 22, 2009 I hope Team Pampers takes this thread seriously. For the younger guys, NOW is the time to protect your skin. "Later" might be too late. 8-) Quote
Super User WRB Posted June 22, 2009 Author Super User Posted June 22, 2009 anyone have a good resource for the hats that cover the back of your neck? Sun Protections, Inc http://www.sunprotections.com Sunday Afternoons http://www.sundayafternoons.com WRB Quote
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