Clean Run Magazine -May 2010 - 12

Here Comes the Sun:

Sun Protection & Safety Tips
By Sally Silverman

It’s 6 a.m. and you are loading the dogs into the car, anticipating a full day of agility at an outdoor trial. It’s dark and chilly, and sun is the last thing on your mind. But being prepared for the sun is as crucial as packing your water, loading up on treats, and making sure you have your height cards. Maxine Tabas, MD, a dermatologist based in Orlando, Florida, says dog people who spend hours at agility competitions, often sitting in the sun watching others when they are not running themselves, are particularly susceptible to the sun’s effects on their skin. Those who also train outdoors are even more vulnerable. In the excitement of the event, we take time to worry about how our dogs are feeling, but we often don’t think about what the sun is doing to us. The results of such negligence can be ugly, dangerous, or even downright deadly. What can you do to save your skin from the sun? Dr. Tabas offers advice. Protection Means Prevention “I like to talk about the two Ps,” says Tabas. “The first P is for prevention, the next is proactive care.” The best way to avoid sun damage is to prevent it. That means stopping the sun’s rays from reaching your skin in the first place. The best way to do that, according to Tabas, is by covering your skin. She recommends long sleeves and high necks, as well as long pants. “I like protective clothing that is made especially for sun protection. It is lightweight, has venting built in, and UV-blockers in the fabric.” A hat is also crucial. A baseball cap might shade the top of your face, but it leaves the lower portion of your face, along with your ears and neck, wide open. A wide-brimmed hat is a better choice. While it may not be ideal for running the course, make popping it on after the run part of your competition ritual. Choose one that is tightly woven. If you can look through it and see the sun, it won’t offer the protection you need. And park yourself under your canopy or in the shade whenever you can. And while you are covering up, don’t forget your eyes. Tabas says she treats cancers on the eyelids all the time. Sunglasses that wrap around, so they are blocking rays from the side as well, are your best defense.
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Sunscreen 101 Your next line of prevention is sunscreen. “All sunscreens are not created equal,” cautions Tabas. Most chemical sunscreens, the types that you find in pharmacies and supermarkets, block UVB rays. But recent studies have shown that UVA rays are also guilty of causing skin cancers. While the industry likes to promote new, high-tech formulas, she says, the best screens are those made with zinc or titanium. They block both UVA and UVB rays equally and tend to be nonirritating to people with allergies. You should have no trouble getting these blocks at your doctor’s office or on-line. For any formula, Tabas
Clean Run | May 10

Clean Run Magazine -May 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run Magazine -May 2010