Link - Good Health Pharmacy

Suncreens and sunglasses

5 Rules for Buying a Sunscreen

Choose one:
1. With an SPF of 15 or above – this will give you over 90%
protection;
2. Labelled ‘broad spectrum’ – to protect against UV-A and UV-B;
radiation;
3. That is water resistant – it is less likely to wash or be sweated off;
4. With a valid ‘use by’ date – most sunscreens have a shelf life of two
to three years;
5. That you can afford – you don’t have to pay for expensive brands.
All makes and types are tested and the cheaper brands are just as
effective if used properly.

7 Tips for Using Sunscreen

1. Try to apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the
sun to allow the protective film to develop.
2. Apply to clean, dry skin and rub in only lightly. It needs to
go on before moisturisers or insect repellents so it is against
your skin.
3. Use generous amounts and make sure you apply to the neck,
the ears, the back of the knees and on the feet, and to the
scalp if your hair is thinning.
4. Re-apply once outside to ensure even coverage.
5. Then re-apply every two hours, or more frequently if washed
(swimming), rubbed or sweated off.
6. Never use it to spend longer in the sun – this will put you at
risk of sun damage that could lead to skin cancer.
7. Do not store sunscreens in very hot places as extreme heat
can ruin their protective chemicals.

BE SMART!
Sun Smart

S Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
M Make sure you never burn
A Aim to cover up with T-shirt, hat and sunglasses
R Remember to take extra care with children
T Then use SPF 15+ sunscreen (sun cream)

Sunglasses need to:

• Block out 99 to 100 % of UVA/UVB radiation (look for a label identifying UV protection).
• Screen out 75 to 90% of visible light (fashion tinted lenses usually don’t meet this level).
• Be free of distortion and imperfections. To test this look at a straight line through the glasses. The line should remain straight without any curve or distortion.
• Have lenses that are gray, green, or brown (gray is recommended). These cut the glare without reducing good vision.
• Sunglasses should also cover the eye area. Even better, they should wrap around the eye area and hug the face, preventing UV light from entering the eye area from above, beside, and below.

http://www.beauty-and-makeup-tips.com/sunglasses.html

Dehydration, Water Wize and Booze Blues

Chlorine Green: The Remedy

Green hair that develops from exposure to chlorine is related to the metals found in the water. It’s not really the chlorine that changes the colour of your hair, but the metals that are present in the pool. Unless you’re fond of your new hair colour you can try this home remedy.

• Try using lemon juice or vinegar to rinse the hair after swimming and leave for five minutes. Then wash as usual to get rid of the fish-and-chips smell!
• To prevent green hair in the future, wet your hair before going into a pool and put a conditioner in it and leave it like that. It will shield your hair from the metals in the water. Or you can put on a snug swimmers cap to keep the hair from getting wet.

3 Tips for Prolonging your Tan

1. Keep your skin moisturised from the inside and the outside. Drink plenty of water.
2. Apply a rich body moisturising cream after your bath or shower. It will keep you skin soft and supple and prevent peeling. Moisturising will also give you a healthy glow which will reflect your healthy tan.
3. You can also apply a moisturiser which contains a small amount of fake tan in it. This will keep the colour going and because of the small amounts of fake tan it won’t leave streaks. It can be reapplied regularly.

Keep ‘Babelas’ Away

Never starve yourself before drinking – a full stomach slows the absorption of alcohol;

• Include ice cream in your party night diet – high blood sugar levels, something cold, and foods rich in protein and fats can slow alcohol’s path to your brain;
• Avoid red wine and brandy – they contain methanol that is even tougher to break down and intensify headaches;
• Stay away from pickled herring and cheeses like Gorgonzola.

Link to Good Health advocates responsible consumption of alcohol.

REHYDRATION SOLUTION

If you do not have a rehydration solution such as Hydrol or Rehydrate close to hand, make you own sugar and salt solution. Mix eight level teaspoons of sugar and half a teaspoon of salt in one litre of water (this should be boiled and allowed to cool). You can add a little clear fruit juice to the mix to improve the taste. This solution should be given frequently. (Cut-out and put into your First Aid Kit)

Dehydration: The do’s and don’ts

The majority of the body is made up of water. Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. This can be as a result of diarrhoea, vomiting, sweat, elevated blood sugar levels, and burns.
DON’T: schedule activities in the heat of the day.
DO: drink adequate amounts of water when you are:
vomiting or have diarrhoea, in the sun, it is hot, or you are doing vigorous exercise.

How is dehydration treated?

Fluid replacement is the treatment for dehydration. Oral rehydration should be in frequent small amounts of clear fluids, such as: water, clear fruit juices such as grape and apple, clear broths, ice lollies, other replacement fluids that may contain electrolytes (Energade, Lucozade and Powerade, etc.)