Breast Cancer and Melanoma: The Connection

Hello, beautiful Suvara goddesses! We wanted to give you the details of news that just came out from the Skin Cancer Foundation. First of all, our hearts all go out to women who have gone through cancer. You are all survivors and we marvel at your courage! Suvara's mission is to provide a gorgeous glow without the bad effects that sun damage can cause, and we advocate for a healthy lifestyle while still looking gorgeous.
The Skin Cancer Foundation has stated:

  "The Skin Cancer Foundation aims to alert breast cancer patients and survivors that they have an increased risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Research has shown that genetics may play a role – for women carrying a specific breast cancer susceptibility gene, the presence of abnormalities in the gene doubles the risk of melanoma."

The skin cancer foundation has recommended a few ways to prevent your chances of getting melanoma.

First, they warn about Photo sensitivity, which is an "increased sensitivity or abnormal response of the skin to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light."
The Skin Cancer Foundation goes onto state.

"People with photo sensitivity are at increased risk of developing skin cancers. Photosensitivity can be caused by certain medical conditions and treatments, and breast cancer patients should find out if their treatments could make them photosensitive. If so advised by their physicians, breast cancer patients should be especially careful to seek shade and stay out of direct sunlight between 10 AM and 4 PM, the sun’s most intense hours; wear sun-protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses; and apply a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB protection) high Sun Protection Factor sunscreen. SPF 30 or higher is advisable for photosensitive individuals."
                                                         
Rule number 2-- and one that Suvara highly recommends:

"Get screened. The Foundation recommends that people at high risk of melanoma and other skin cancers undergo frequent full-body skin screenings by a physician— once a year or more often as your physician advises."



Rule 3: Perform self-exams. The Skin Cancer Foundation states: 

"Self-exams are also important. Performed regularly (monthly is ideal), self-examination can alert you to changes in the skin and aid in the early detection of skin cancer."

To learn more about self-screening, check out our blog here. 


They go on to explain more:
"Because skin cancers can vary in appearance, it is important to be on the lookout for early warning signs. Melanomas, for instance, often resemble moles. Look especially for skin changes of any kind, such as color changes or growth, and do not ignore a suspicious spot simply because it does not hurt. Skin cancers may be painless, but dangerous all the same. See a physician, preferably one who specializes in diseases of the skin, if you note any change in an existing mole, freckle, or spot or if you find a new mole with any of the warning signs of skin cancer."

The Skin T

Want to look like the goddess you are? Come get the perfect air-brush tan at Suvara. We'll give you a stunning tan that's both safe and good for your skin. Come check out our facebook page for exclusive offers! 

Sunscreen: Safe or Not? Part II

While we've discussed the "truth" and controversies about sunscreen, it's important to shop around for the healthiest options out there. Just because there are arguments about certain ingredients in sunscreen, it doesn't mean you should stop wearing it. Below are recommendations from two different sources: The Skin Cancer Foundation and the Environmental Working Group.

From the EWG site:
 "Our top-rated sunscreens all contain the minerals zinc or titanium. They are the right choice for people who are looking for the best UVA protection without any sunscreen chemical considered to be a potential hormone disruptor. None of the products contain oxybenzone and none are sprayed or powdered."

We chose 5 sunscreens out of the 158 they had listed as their top picks. Our choices were based on the higher end products, as we know our clientele is very discerning when it comes to their skin care and choice of products.

Aubrey Organics Natural Sun Sport Stick Unscented Sunscreen, SPF 30 Natural Sun Unscented Sensitive Skin/Children Sunscreen, SPF 30+ Natural Sun Green Tea Sunscreen, SPF 30+  Natural Sun Active Lifestyles Tropical Scent Sunscreen, SPF 30+ Natural Sun Saving Face Sunscreen, SPF 15 Natural Sun Active Lifestyles Tropical Scent Sunscreen, SPF 15+

LaVanila Laboratories Lavanila Laboratories Lavanila The Healthy SunScreen SPF 30 Body Cream Lavanila Laboratories Lavanila The Healthy SunScreen SPF 40 Face Cream Lavanila Laboratories Lavanila The Healthy Baby Block SPF 40

Maui Natural Organics Maui Naturals Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 Surfer Honey Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30 Surfer Honey Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 15 Maui Naturals Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 15

JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS john masters organics Natural Mineral, SPF 30

        Hara Body Care
                  Sport SPF 30 

The Skin Cancer Foundation explains their seal of recommendation, which is only given to select sunscreens that meet strict criteria. 

"The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation is granted to sun protection products that have been reviewed by and meet the stringent criteria of a volunteer Photobiology Committee.  The Seal is a symbol of safe and effective sun protection that is recognized by consumers worldwide.

One of the first programs offered by the Foundation, it quickly gained acceptance from consumers for setting the standard for effective sun protection with sunscreen products, sunglasses, specially treated auto and residential window film, umbrellas, clothing and laundry products that wash UV protection into clothing."

Here's the top 5 Active Seal products:

Products with The Skin Cancer Foundation Active Seal

Avon

Anew Solar Advance Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 30

Anew Solar Advance Lip Sunscreen SPF 30

Anew Solar Advance Eye Sunscreen SPF 30

Colorescience

Sunforgettable SPF 30 Powder

MD SolarSciences

Mineral Screen Gel SPF 30+ Sensitive Skin

Mineral Screen Lotion SPF 40

PCA SKIN

Active very water/sweat resistant SPF 45

Shiseido

Shiseido Extra Smooth Sun Protection Cream N SPF 38

 Check out our facebook page for special offers and remember, Suvara air-brush tans are ALWAYS safe for your skin, and give you the same healthy glow of a tan! Come see us at one of our many locations. 

Sunscreen: Safe or Not? Part I

Photo courtesy of Ahmet Guler

While sunscreen is always a must, the type of sunscreen that is the safest is a constant debate. There are two sides to this argument: On one side, the Skin Cancer Foundation maintains that "there has never been any evidence that oxybenzone, which has been available for 20 years, has any adverse health effect in humans. The ingredient is FDA-approved for human use based on exhaustive review." See the full article here.
One the other side, there is the stance held by the Environmental Working Group, who maintains that there are harmful hormone disruptors such as oxybenzone in most sunscreens, which they label as "notorious" for their effect on the body. In the study done by John Knowland of the  Department of Biochemistry at Oxford University, it is found that "Oxybenzone is a derivative of benzophenone, which can attack DNA when illuminated. It generates strand breaks and various photoproducts"


Sounds like a lot of science, right? While the experts continue to argue, there are steps you can take to reducing your risk. In this post, we'll give you some easy steps for avoiding the sun. Regardless of what side you're on, there are always some alternatives to wearing generic sunscreen with potentially harmful ingredients.

1.) Stay in the shade. Beach tents are becoming more and more popular, especially for families with young children. Instead of baking in the sun, ensure a shady spot at the beach, the park or festivals with a nifty beach tent.


2.) Wear skin friendly clothing. Cute beach cover ups, wide brimmed hats and sarongs can help reduce your exposure to the sun. 


3.) Watch the clock. Whenever possible, plan to be outdoors when the sun is lower in the sky, like early morning or late afternoon. When the sun is directly over head at midday, UV radiation is at it's peak. 


4.)  You MUST wear sunglasses. We all know how fab the right pair of shades can make you look, but that's not their only purpose. Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation, a cause of cataracts. Make sure they say both UVA and UVB on the label, as protection from both is necessary.  


Stay tuned for Part II, where we'll explore sunscreen ratings and ingredients. Check out our facebook page for special offers and remember, Suvara air-brush tans are ALWAYS safe for your skin, and give you the same healthy glow of a tan! Come see us at one of our many locations. 


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UVA, UVB Rays and tanning beds

By now, everyone should be aware of the fact that the sun can do lots of damage; the deadliest being malignant melanoma. At Suvara, we have gone to great lengths to be able to provide our clients with the same sexy, healthy looking and natural glow that the sun provides. It has been our mission, our obsession and our pride to produce air-brush tanning serums that not only make your skin look luminous, but also protect it from the damage that may have already occurred. We do this with our outstanding ingredients, which are chock full of antioxidants that nourish your skin!

However, even if you still use our services, you'll still be exposed to the sun. Anyone that leaves the house...ever....should know about the dangers of too much unprotected exposure to sunlight, especially in summer and especially during the hottest times of the day- 11am to 3pm if you're EST.


What many people don't know is the intricacies of sun damage. UVA and UVB rays are different in the way they interact with their skin. UVA rays, for example, account for 95% of the UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. They are less intense than UVB, but much more prevalent, and can penetrate through clouds and glass. UVA is the dominant ray, and the one primarily emitted by tanning booths. Tans cause cumulative damage over time, resulting from injury to the skin's DNA. The "tan"-the skin darkening- is attempt to prevent further DNA damage. This can cause mutations, which can lead to skin cancer.

The Skin Cancer foundation quotes:
"The high-pressure sunlamps used in tanning salons emit doses of UVA as much as 12 times that of the sun. Not surprisingly, people who use tanning salons are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma, and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. According to recent research, first exposure to tanning beds in youth increases melanoma risk by 75 percent."


And The LiveStrong Website states that:

"When evaluating a UVA versus UVB tanning bed in terms of damaging effects, there are trade-offs associated with each type. UVB rays are associated with more serious health effects, such as skin cancers while UVA rays are associated with skin damage--including wrinkling, age spots and fine lines."

So, as always, the conclusion we find yet again is that tanning in the sun or tanning beds is hazardous. Knowing all of this, remember to ALWAYS use UVA/UVB sunscreen. You need to be protected against both!

Want to look like you spent a month in the Maldives...or a weekend in the Hamptons?
Either way, we'll give you the perfect tone, glow and color to make you look fabulous.
Come find us at  http://www.suvaraworld.com/ and on facebook!

Tips for Skin Check-Ups

Summer's right around the corner, everyone, and that means that skin cancer is on the radar. Yes, it can be a big pain to keep slathering on the sunscreen, making sure the kids always wear and hat, and being on the ball about reapplication.

 One thing we all know however, is how big the pay off is. Besides the obvious risk (deadly melnoma and other skin cancers), there's the unsightly damage that long term sun damage causes...wrinkles, fine lines, discoloration, thickening of the skin (like those older, rubbery ladies you sometimes see at the beach...hey more power to you if you're that confident, but the hard fact is that you could actually be killing yourself!) Going out in the sun is like driving without a seatbelt, expect the odds are even more predicatable with the sun: we know it's bad for us, period.


So, besides getting a luxurious, sexy, glamorous glow at Suvara air-brush tanning salons and making sure you keep your body covered with suncreen, what's the best way to be extra safe about sun damage? Just like many women do a self-exam for abnormalities in their breasts every month, so should everyone be checking out their skin. But how, you ask? We found this wonderful and helpful guide to checking out your skin, courtesy of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Here's a little taste of the guide. For the full version, go here. And make sure that if you want to glow like a sun goddess all summer, you get in on our membership special! Check it out over here....

How to perform a self-exam

	Examine your body front and back in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.
	Bend elbows and look carefully at forearms, upper underarms and palms.
	Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet.

Photos above provided courtesy of  ambro at freedigitalphotos.net

Increased risk for Melanoma...

freedigitalphotos.com

At Suvara, we're all about safe tanning...which is why we've become artisans of the safe, air-brush alternative to the sun and tanning beds. It's extremely important for everyone to know the hazards and dangers of sun damage, especially if you have fair skin and are exposed to the skin regularly. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatologists, melanoma runs in the family. That's right... just like breast cancer, if a relative has had it, the odds are higher for you. The stats indicate that between 5% and 10% of melanoma cases that develop are from people who have a family history of the deadly cancer. The cause in some families is a gene mutation, which is passed along from one generation to the next, increasing the risk. Not everyone inherits the gene automatically, but it is imperative to research your family history to find out if you're at greater risk. 

Make sure you address the risks before you enjoy the outdoors...

Taken from the SkincarePhysicians.com website which is hosted by the American Academy of Dermatology, here are clues that you might be carrying the gene mutation:

"Clues that a Melanoma Gene Runs in the Family
Often gathering a family history provides enough information to find out if a gene mutation for melanoma runs in the family. When a gene mutation for melanoma is passed down, the family tree often reveals the following:

• 2 or more first-degree relatives (parent, sibling, or child) or 3 or more blood relatives developed melanoma
• Multiple generations developed melanoma
• Family members developed melanoma in their 40s, 30s, or at an even younger age
• Family members with melanoma usually developed more than 1 primary (original) melanoma
• Family history of cancer of the pancreas

The more traits seen in the family tree, the more likely it is that a gene mutation for melanoma runs in the family.

Talking with relatives about skin cancer can have another benefit as one study found. When researchers set out to confirm a family history of melanoma by speaking with the affected family member or looking at the family member’s medical records, they learned that 82% of the relatives believed to have melanoma did not have melanoma. They had another type of skin cancer. This news relieved many who believed that they would eventually develop melanoma."

American Academy of Pediatrics Pushes Ban on Tanning Beds

Legislation is currently pending in both the state Assembly and Senate that would completely ban teens under 18 from using tanning beds. Just last week a statement was released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which states that the UV radiation from the beds is so strong that 18 year olds shouldn’t be allowed to use indoor tanning facilities. The law at this moment only allows teenagers under 18 to use tanning beds with the expressed consent of an adult. Collette Coyne, who founded the Collette Coyne Melanoma Awareness Campaign after her daughter died of skin cancer at the young age of 29, says that studies prove that no one should be getting into a tanning bed, especially not teens. Watch the News 12 video here.

Photo by Louisa Stokes

 “Their skin is so sensitive that they are at great risk. Anyone under the age of 30 who uses a tanning bed increases their risk by 75%.” Clearly, the American Academy of Pediatrics are not alone: In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer division of the World Health Organization, classified tanning beds as "carcinogenic to humans,” which is in the agency's highest cancer-risk category. This puts tanning beds in the same category as radon gas and plutonium!  The American Academy of Dermatology and the American Medical Association also warn against using the beds. 

If that’s not enough information for you to consider an alternative to tanning beds and sun tanning, consider this: There is no cure for melanoma, and once it spreads, it almost always leads to death.

Why not give yourself a natural, gorgeous, HEALTHY glow with a Suvara tan? Our organic, luscious formulas will give you an incredible color without any damage to your skin. In fact, we’ve formulated our “tanning” solution to be a skin treatment, with strong anti-aging ingredients and protection against environmental stresses! And check our amazing new membership program! 


Check us out here and friend us on facebook for our incredible promotions!

Spring and Summer Are Around the Corner...

Let's talk about the sun. It's almost summer, and while the weather will be super lovely, the UV rays are not.
We thought we'd give you a little reminder as to why air-brush tanning is the healthier, more nourishing alternative to traditional tanning and tanning beds.  
Even though UV is necessary for our bodies to produce Vitamin D, which helps strengthen our bones and safeguard against certain disease, no matter what you may hear at tanning salons, the cumulative damage caused by UV radiation can lead to premature skin aging (wrinkles, loose or sagging skin, brown spots, and more). As well as skin cancer.

In fact, in July 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group of the World Health Organization, added ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting tanning devices — tanning beds and lamps — to the list of the most dangerous forms of cancer-causing radiation. A list that includes hazardous substances such as plutonium and radium as well as radiation from the sun.

The IARC report cited research showing that tanning is especially hazardous to young people; those who use sun beds before age 30 increase their lifetime risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75 percent. The authors also pointed to studies showing a link between UV radiation from indoor tanning devices and melanomas of the skin and eyes. Melanoma will kill an estimated 8,650 people in the US this year alone. And melanoma isn’t the only problem: people who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma kills an estimated 2,500 Americans a year.

So should you wrap yourself in a blanket and never leave the house? Of course not! But if you can limit your exposure to having fun in the sun with sunscreen on, why wouldn’t you? This is why we founded Suvara, so that we could provide a safe and healthy alternative to people who like to be tan.

For more facts about the dangers of tanning and how to get a bronzed glow without risking your health, please visit The Skin Cancer Foundation’s web site www.skincancer.org.
To find out more about Suvara, visit our website.