Aging…Intelligently
The first Baby Boomer turned 65 recently. With so many advances in medical science, life expectancy is getting longer by the day. At the same time, cancer seems to impact everyone in one way or another. So, it’s no wonder, then, that there is an entire industry devoted to anti-aging and healthy living. Vitamins now take up multiple aisles in grocery stores, organic foods are becoming more accessible, sunscreen and rash guards are in every toddler’s vocabulary, and where Oil of Olay used to be the lone product line devoted to younger looking skin, now there are dozens alongside. Let’s face it, we all would love to find that elusive fountain of youth and be one of those who extends the limits of life expectancy, still living a healthy, active life.
As we grow older, we also grow wiser, however. So we realize that things that seem too good to be true, usually are. Unfortunately, anti-aging creams now seem to fall into this infamous category. This week, in an article published by MedPage Today, we learned that the most popular anti-aging creams do not contain much, if any, protection from UV-A1 rays–rays that, in addition to UV-B, have been directly linked to photoaging and skin cancer.
The article points out that unlike UV-B rays, UV-A can penetrate windows. So, protection from UV-A becomes even more important for those who are indoors or driving a lot. Just looking at SPF isn’t enough because there currently are no label laws specific to how much UV-A protection is in the product. In other words, an SPF of 50 may simply apply to UV-B rays and provide no coverage from UV-A, leaving your skin susceptible to damage whether you are indoors or out!
So, ladies…before spending upwards of $50 on your favorite anti-aging cream, it may pay to do a little research first. If you do, you just might be one step closer to that fountain we’re all searching for. Happy hunting!
