May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month: The Power of Jennifer Baron, M.D. Skin Care Products and Sun Protection

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month!  It is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of healthy skin care habits, the dangers of skin cancer, and the benefits of using high-quality skin care products. This month, we want to highlight the remarkable benefits of Jennifer Baron, M.D. skin care products and the crucial role of sunscreen in maintaining healthy skin.

Jennifer Baron, M.D. skin care products are renowned for their skin cancer reducing ingredients, such as antioxidants, niacinamide, and retinol. Antioxidants help to neutralize harmful free radicals that can damage skin cells and lead to skin cancer. Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, improves skin elasticity, enhances its barrier function, helps erase discolorations, and revives skin's healthy tone and texture. Retinol, a form of vitamin A, promotes skin renewal, brightens skin tone, reduces acne, and boosts collagen production.

Unfortunately, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been somewhat short-sighted in determining that Sun Protection Factor (SPF) ratings for sunscreens be based on Ultraviolet B (UVB) protection only, not Ultraviolet A (UVA) protection. This is a significant oversight as UVA radiation penetrates deeper into the skin and causes oxidative damage that leads to sunburn, wrinkles, brown spots, and even skin cancer.

When choosing a sunscreen, it's critical to consider two factors:

• Active Ingredient: Ensure the active ingredient includes zinc oxide. Zinc oxide is a physical blocker that sits on the skin's surface and deflects both UVA and UVB rays.
• SPF Rating: Choose a sunscreen with an SPF rating between 30 and 50. These ratings offer adequate protection against UVB rays, which are primarily responsible for sunburn and contribute to skin cancer.

Contrary to some misconceptions, even with the most effective sunscreens on the market, you will still get enough Vitamin D activation through regular outdoor sun exposure to maintain healthy levels in your body and prevent fractures, according to a review article from Harvard University and an extensive study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Effective sunscreen does not contribute to thin bones, but it absolutely prevents skin cancer, sunburns, discoloration, melasma, wrinkles, collagen damage, and premature aging of the skin.

As we warm up, get outside and start to enjoy the pre-summer fun this May, let's commit to skin cancer awareness by protecting our skin with high-quality products like those from Jennifer Baron, M.D., and never underestimate the importance of a good sunscreen. Your skin is your body's largest organ - it's time to give it the care it deserves.

Good Reads:

1. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/cder-conversations/update-sunscreen-requirements-deemed-final-order-and-proposed-order

"Broad spectrum requirements:  Consistent with the requirements in the labeling and effectiveness rule for sunscreens issued in 2011, the deemed final order does not require broad spectrum testing, but it creates an optional broad spectrum labeling claim and broad spectrum testing that is required to include this claim on labeling."

2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/protecting-the-skin-from-the-sun-doesnt-increase-fracture-risk#:~:text=Those%20who%20practiced%20sun%2Dsafe,and%20slather%20on%20the%20sunscreen.

3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/4-ways-to-protect-against-skin-cancer-other-than-sunscreen-2018042713722