Sunscreen awareness

Life*wellness THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Index People 4 TV listings 6 The Collector 7 Comics 8-9

>> It’s the music, not the gender Page 3

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008

Theater

Art

Media

Latino-themed ‘In the Heights’ tops Tony Award nominations > 3

Pop painter and sculptor Robert Rauschenberg dies at age 82 > 1 0

Walt Disney Co. will create a lab to test ads’ effectiveness > 1 0

Long-term care costs on the rise

HOW TO SELECT SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SUNSCREENS.

PROTECT YOURSELF How the sun damages your skin Harmful rays from the sun fall in the ultraviolet range, which are is divided into two categories, UVA and UVB. At sea level, 99 percent of ultraviolet radiation is in the UVA range, which causes tanning and also premature skin aging. One percent is UVB, which causes sunburn and skin damage.

Both types can contribute to skin cancer.

Your skin protects itself with melanin, a dark pigment that absorbs UV rays.

Sunlight spectrum Wavelengths Infrared

UVB:

UVA:

315-280 nm

400-315 nm

Visible

Skin layers Epidermis

Hair follicle muscle THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

S

lathering on the sunscreen before plopping down in the sand, swimming or surfing is pretty much a no-brainer in Southern California. Choosing a safe, effective sunscreen, on the other hand, is making some consumers red in the face.

Even people who use sunscreen habitually might not be getting adequate protection. Out of nearly 1,000 sunscreens scrutinized by the Environmental Working Group last year, researchers say that only 15 percent provide adequate sun protection and present minimal health risks.

The nonprofit organization, whose researchers have been examining the safety of cosmetics and personal-care prod-

Dermis

Sweat gland

Subcutaneous tissue

Fat

COURTESY OF LISA CURLEE

Skin surface Skin-generating layer Basal layer

Basal layer

Specialized cells in the basal layer called melanocytes produce melanin. Everybody has similar numbers of these cells as many as 1.2 billion per square inch. Skin tone is determined by amount, pattern of distribution and type of melanin they produce.

Keratinocytes produce new skin cells.

Melanocyte

B y C I N DY M U R P H Y

Keratinocyte

Sources: Scientific American; HowStuffWorks Media Network; UC Riverside; Janellen Smith, UCI

NEW SUNSCREEN LABELS

SPF 45

Sunscreen UVB

UVA

SPF 45 high

high

Broad Spectrum Protection

UV rays of the sun are made of UVB and UVA. It is important to protect against both UVB and UVA rays.

Current label

Proposed label

Bev Daley, mom with best advice THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

S E E S U N S C R E E N S ● PA G E 2

Sunscreen

S E E H A A S ● PA G E 2

Ultraviolet

Hair follicles

Te x t b y C H A N TA L L A M E R S | G r a p h i c b y P H I L I P L O U B E R E

This comes as no surprise: The cost of long-term care in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and in-home care has increased for the fifth consecutive year.

Also not surprising is the news that we face a shortage of direct-care workers, which will further increase the cost of long-term care.

In 2008, the average annual price of a private nursing facility reached $76,460 nationwide – $86,934 in Orange County – according to a surJANE vey by Genworth FiGLENN nancial.

Orange HAAS County’s assistedREGISTER living home cost is COLUMNIST $40,543 a year, compared with $36,090 nationally, the same survey revealed.

Meanwhile, in-home care costs stayed fairly flat at about $44,000 annually, compared with $43,884 nationally, says Beth Ludden, senior vice president for long-term care products for Genworth, a major long-term care insurance provider.

Q: Your study indicates the expense of just a few years of long-term care in a facility or at home can quickly wipe out a lifetime of savings.

A: Well, having an insurance policy that pays for this type of service is definitely a benefit. These policies should be part of retirement planning.

The Food and Drug Administration proposed new regulations for sunscreen labels last year that might require manufacturers to comply with an ultraviolet A (UVA) rating system.

Here’s how the system could work: In addition to an SPF rating that measures ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, each bottle would have one to four stars to signify the level of UVA protection.

Stars would be earned based on two tests, including the formula’s ability to prevent tanning and reduce the amount of UVA radiation that passes through it. Sunscreens with no such shield will require labels stating “No UVA protection” next to the SPF rating.

Other changes: ● An amendment calls for companies to provide additional data to label sunscreens higher than SPF 50. ● Sunscreen makers would have to modify waterproof and water-resistant claims. The FDA says that formulas don’t dissolve in water but can be washed off.

Moms are pretty smart, in general, but it’s possible that few moms are smarter than Bev Daley.

She’s this year’s winner of the Register’s “My Mom’s Greatest Advice Ever” contest.

Daley, as Mom, offers this simple but effective advice: “Be true to yourself. Be kind to nature. Actions speak louder than words.”

Daley’s daughter, Lisa Curlee of Tustin, submitted a photo of her mother with one of her grandkids.

“She gives others joy by sharing her garden. She cares for animals deeply.

She is very creative and found ways to make fun from a paper bag or box!

She has passed this gift on to her grandchildren,” Curlee wrote.

In addition to winning over Curlee and siblings, the photo of Daley and grandchild worked a little online contest magic. Register readers rated the photo 9.67 out of 10 on average and voted for her 2,662 times. That’s a healthy win in a contest that drew 30 entrees and a shade over 12,000 hits.

The Mother’s Day contest is over, but you can still check out the photos and comments at ocregister.com/life.

And soon, look for our Father’s Day contest: “My Dad’s Funniest Idea.”

Thank you to everyone for participating and honoring these great mothers.

wellness

The Orange County Register Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Life, etc. 2

SUNSCREENS: Compare F R O M PA G E 1

ucts since 2004, added sunscreens to its Skin Deep database last year. The site, cosmeticdatabase.com, includes findings on more than 25,000 products and 7,000 ingredients.

The majority of sunscreens don’t protect against ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, says Jane Houlihan, vice president of research of EWG. Ultraviolet B (UVB) protection is measured in SPF, but manufacturers are not yet required by the Food and Drug Administration to divulge levels of UVA protection. Both types of rays lead to skin cancer and skin damage.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays is the main environmental factor linked to skin cancer. The Cancer Surveillance Program of Orange County reported 3,587 cases of melanoma from 2000 to 2004.

A recent report by the CDC also found that 95 percent of Americans have oxybenzone, an ingredient found in sunscreens, in their blood-

stream. The chemical is linked to cell damage, allergies and hormone disruption.

Users can search the Skin Deep sunscreen database for the highest- and lowest-rated sunscreens, or search by brand name. A scale rates each sunscreen a low, moderate or high health hazard as well as effective, moderately effective or not effective sun protection.

New guidelines are being proposed by the FDA, but it could be years before consumers see a difference on drugstore shelves.

“Companies can claim Broad Spectrum Protection, but what level it provides is the question,” says Rita Chappelle, an FDA spokeswoman. Once new guidelines are in place, “consumers will know at a glance whether it’s the highest or lowest UVA and UVB protection they can get.”

In the meantime, “Consumers should research sunscreen products when shopping and compare and look for what information is available to them to make that decision,” she says.

Check out our how-to guide for reading labels and applying sunscreen.

C O N TA C T T H E W R I T E R : 7 1 4-796-24 1 3 or

clamers@ocregister.com

HOW, WHEN TO APPLY IT Janellen Smith, a professor of dermatology at UCI, says to apply at least 1 ounce of sunscreen (enough to fill a shot glass) that has a minimum of SPF 30. People who don’t apply enough risk wearing the equivalent of an SPF 8, she says.

Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure so it has time to attach to skin.

Most formulas need to be reapplied every two hours.

More tips: ● So-called waterproof or water-resistant formulas can lose effectiveness after 40 minutes in the water or heavy perspiration. ● Up to 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can pass through clouds on overcast days.

Sand reflects 25 percent of the sun’s rays and snow 80 percent. ● Ultraviolet A rays pass through windows and penetrate deep into skin. Since rays intensify with altitude, airplane passengers with window seats should apply sunscreen. ● The FDA requires that sunscreen remain stable for two years. Check the expiration date.

CHECK THE LABELS Protect yourself by learning to read sunscreen labels: SPF is a rating system that indicates the ability to block UVB rays but not UVA rays. Protection from UVB rays doesn’t increase proportionately with the number. After SPF 30, the protection increases by only about 1 percent-3 percent.

Mexoryl or ecamsule are efficient UVA blockers. The lightweight chemicals in formulas by La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX and Lancome UV Expert stick to skin longer and only need be reapplied every four hours. Avobenzone, Helioplex or Parsol 1 789 also provide broad-spectrum protection.

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide also block both types of rays but need to be applied every two hours.

Check the ingredient list to see if these physical blocks are included.

These formulas are typically heavier and don’t absorb easily.

H E A LT H Y A LT E R N AT I V E S

Take a vacation from weight gain Go on a cruise without bringing back extra baggage.

By CARINE NADEL SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER

I just came home from a weeklong Caribbean cruise.

Total weight gained: -1 pound.

This isn’t the norm, however. According to a “greeter” sign in the Aqua Spa/Gym written by lead personal trainer Chris Paterson on the Celebrity Millennium, “The average passenger gains between 5-10 pounds” during the typical seven days at sea.

How did I beat the odds? It wasn’t hard. Really. And no, I didn’t deprive myself. I had a dessert every night. Paterson and regular cruisers all insist that all you need is a bit of planning, common sense and yes, some will power, and you can actually arrive home in better condition than when you left.

Today’s cruise ships help out quite a bit. All of the major lines have their own version of spa cuisine available at all times. Celebrity boasts a restaurant right outside the gym that’s open for breakfast and lunches. The buffet bars have

CARINE NADEL, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SHIPSHAPE: Classes like this one on the Celebrity Millennium

can help passengers work off all those midnight buffet calories.

fresh salad makings and unadorned fruits, low and nonfat yogurts and healthy cereals and breads available at all times as well. The main dining room has plenty to choose from on all its menus.

Due to various health issues, all choices (from appetizers to desserts) have low-fat, nondairy, low-cholesterol and nonsalt versions available. I always confer with both my waiter and the maitre d’ on my dairy allergy and the need to take care of my low-fat options starting with my first foray into the din-

WELLNESSBITES DISCOUNT PRESCRIPTIONS A free discount prescription drug card is available at www.californiarxcard.com. It offers discounts at a variety of pharmacies and is part of the California Drug Card Program.

ing room.

Royal Caribbean has stated that if what you want isn’t on the menu, just let them know what you need and they’ll make sure you get it.

Aside from the food aspect, today’s cruise lines have stateof-the-art machines in their gyms, personal trainers (for a fee), classes (both free and for a fee, depending on which ship), and seminars on various aspects of keeping healthy while on board and when you go back to the “real world.”

Paterson was kind enough to

show and explain some of what the Celebrity Millennium offered during our excursion: ● The gym was open 24/7 – no excuses not to keep up with your personal at-home routine! Celebrity uses Life Fitness equipment. ● Aerobics and stretch/relax classes were offered free every morning. ● Yoga, indoor cycling (spinning) and Pilates were offered every day, but these were for a fee and were limited in enrollment due to space. ● Paterson gave seminars through the week: “Secrets to a Flatter Stomach,” “Burn Fat Fast,” “Detox for Life,” “Detoxing for Health” and “Weight Loss and Zone Nutrition Program.”

There was also a “soft” specially designed jogging/walking path onboard. Princess also has the same type of track on its ships, as do Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

Not into the gym scene? No worries! I did use the gym and walking path most days, but my husband and I also signed up for shore excursions that were, on their own, exercise.

For each of our ventures we chose packages that included “moderate” walking and snor-

keling/swimming.

Many passengers love to look for a package where they get to go swimming with the dolphins or horseback riding.

One brave couple chose to go parasailing. Another great tip: Don’t use the elevators; take the stairs. Even without counting in my daily power walk, I still did 10,000 steps just by using the various staircases on board the ship.

So don’t be afraid to go on a cruise for fear of not fitting into your plane seat home.

For more information on what equipment each cruise line has installed in their gyms, call the cruise line directly, call a travel agent specializing in cruise vacations, or log onto the lines’ Web sites: ● www.celebritycruises.com ● www.princess.com ● www.royalcaribbean.com ● www.carnival.com

C O N TA C T T H E W R I T E R : Carine

Nadel is a freelance writer who lives in Laguna Hills. Send any questions or comments on Healthy Alternatives to health@ocregister.com. Write “HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES” in the subject line.

HOW’D THEY REACH 90?

TEENS AND MARIJUANA

A free lecture tonight deals with health findings from studying people in their 90s. UC Irvine’s Dr. Claudia Kawas will speak at 7:30 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive. Information: 949-824-4275.

A new report on teen drug use finds that some are using drugs to self-medicate for feelings of depression. But teens who smoke marijuana at least once a month are three times more likely to have suicidal thoughts than nonusers. The report is from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

HAAS F R O M PA G E 1

Q: The nursing home cost varies widely by region – for instance, Alaska averages $ 1 87,902 a year and Louisiana $45,539. Can you explain the variation?

A: In certain urban or remote areas, costs can jump 40 percent above other regions. One interesting thing is demand.

The cost for assisted living in Orange County, for example, went up quite a bit, about 16 percent, suggesting that assisted living is relatively popular.

Q: What about adult day-care services – where the elder is cared for during the work day and then returns home at night?

A: Costs are relatively modest, and this is a viable alternative for people who may be living with a family member who works outside the home.

Q: The study mentions a lack of sufficient home-care workers in the future. Does this have anything to do with immigration, as many of these workers currently are from Hispanic countries?

A: Immigration trends definitely are playing a role in the workforce issue. But we need, as a country, to take a step back to promote caregiving and those types of services as a more attractive career option. We need to advocate for better wages, education and training.

Q: What’s new in home care that could reduce costs?

A: Technology is playing a larger role and reducing, to some extent, the need for human intervention. Remote monitoring comes into play.

People are able to transmit blood pressure and blood sugar readings. Medication can be dispensed and there is a way to make sure it is actually being taken. Some of the new technology in the pipeline will mitigate the demand for homecare workers.

Q: Long-term care insurance is still a new product that not too many people buy. Why not, and what’s the future?

A: At this point, among people in the 50-plus age group, longterm care insurance has about a 7 percent penetration, and about a third of these people are using their policy. Many people don’t understand the need for this insurance.

Q: When does it make sense to buy this insurance and what if I don’t use it?

A: We recommend looking at buying the insurance around age 50, because it is cheaper then. There are several products that return the premium in the event no long-term care is given, and if you can go through life without needing long-term care, that’s a good thing.

Q: California has a partnership program for long-term care purchasing. I understand policies are available to people as old as 70.

A: Yes, but they are more expensive, of course.

Q: Given the current economy, are more family members providing caregiving?

A: We see the workforce component as being a key driver, and our policies will pay for a family member to provide care as long as the caregiver was not residing in the home prior to caring for the insured person. We do advocate for some of the proposals giving family caregivers tax incentives to relieve some of their burden.

Long-term care insurance doesn’t take the place of the family providing care, but it does offer caregiving in a different way. It frees the family member to spend quality time with the elder when the person is disabled.

Q: And we need to think about this sooner rather than later?

A: Yes, because we’re all getting older and we require different strategies.

Follow Jane Glenn Haas on her Losers Club fitness quest at ocregister.com/health. For an exercise tip of the week or to sign up for The Losers Club, go to www.womansage.org.

C O N TA C T T H E W R I T E R :

jghaas@cox.net