A ranking of more than 500 sunscreen products found that 92 percent did not provide satisfactory sun protection in

terms of safety and efficacy. The study, conducted by Environmental working Group (EWG), a Washington-based

nonprofit organisation, points the finger at a surge in exaggerated SPF claims above 50 and new disclosures

about potentially hazardous ingredients.

Products with high SPF rating give a false sense of security resulting in users staying out in the sun longer with a single application and get burned when the products'

chemicals break down, wash off or rub off on clothes and towels. The result is that they absorb more UVA radiation

and they get the same number of sunburns as unprotected sunbathers.

As early as 2007, the FDA published draft regulations that would disallow companies from labeling sunscreens with a rating over SPF 50+. The agency feels that anything higher

than SPF 50+ would be "inherently misleading" given that "there is no assurance

that the specific values themselves are in fact truthful..."

The second key issue with sunscreens these days is two products found in many sunscreens.

The FDA has been investigating a form of vitamin A called retinyl palmitate, found in 41 percent of sunscreens as it is

suspected to accelerate skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk when applied to skin exposed to sunlight.

The other is oxybenzone, a hormone-disrupting compound found in about 60 percent of the 500 sunscreens analysed.

The product enters the bloodstream through the skin barrier. Biomonitoring surveys have detected oxybenzone

in the bodies of 97 percent of Americans tested.

So what is recommended in order to stay safe in the sun? Some of these recommendations include selecting and using sunscreen well, as well as other options for sun

protection available.

1. Look for minerals zinc or titanium dioxide in the sunscreen

2. Avoid high SPF.Stay with SPF 15-50+ as suitable for your own skin type. Use SPF 30+ for beach and pool and reapply

often

3. Water-resistant for beach, pool and exercise

4. Apply early. Martin A. Weinstock, professor of dermatology at Brown University recommends the

application of sunscreen half an hour before heading outdoors and reapplying every few hours.

5. Apply in sufficient amounts. Studies show that people apply on average just a quarter of the required amount.

Sunscreen efficacy drops rapidly on under-application so it is recommended to observe the instructions on the

packaging.

6. Reapply often. Sunscreen chemicals break apart in the sun, wash off and rub off on towels and clothing.

7. Use clothing and hats. One study found that melanoma risk was cut by 52 percent for parts of the body usually

covered by clothing during summer outdoor work (Holman et al 1986). EWG believe shirts and hats are the best

sunscreen for all. Use UPF50+ rated swimwear and shirts and hats effectively

Xcel is stepping up. A part of revenues for each Xcel Rash Guard, Xcel Ventx, or UV Performance Gear bought in the

U.S. helps the Xcel Skin Cancer Prevention Fund, supporting skin cancer youth understanding programs,

awareness, and investigation.

Most people who have never enjoyed rash guards would choose to think that they are purely created for water

related kayaking as it has traditionally been classified as an advanced athletic swimming wear. The primary function

upon donning it revolves solely on the protection of one's skin against the sunlight. It is especially important to outfit our children (they are so precious) in kids rashguards, and

babies rash guards also!

The slickest thing I have witnessed as new technologies is the Bali Hooded Rash Guard.

As the name connotes, rash guards are called that way merely because they are to be utilized to avoid the

manifestations of skin rashes. The rashes that rash guards counter are the varieties that are oftentimes caused by the

contact of the surfer's skin on the surfboard wax which often is associated with with a extensive amount of

abradant sand from the beachfront. There usually are situations in which a skin rash can occur from the bare

crash of saltwater waves against the skin with a considerable amount of abrasive force.

8. Make shade by putting up an umbrella, locate a picnic spot under the tree, take a canopy to the beach. Infants are best kept in the shade as they lack tanning pigments

(melanin) to protect their skin

9. Plan around the shade. Unless you really need to, schedule your outdoor visits to avoid the mid-day sun. UV

radiation peaks at midday, when the sun is directly overhead.

10. Sunglasses are essential. These are not just a fashion accessory but are necessary to keep your eyes from the UV

radiation, a cause of cataracts.

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