The fisherman look is so out this season

The experts at The Skin Cancer Foundation urge people who are concerned about their health to stop tanning, indoors and out, in the new year for the sake of their health and beauty. “Giving up tanning is as important as eating better, getting more exercise and quitting smoking, which we know are the most popular resolutions,” said Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “UV radiation is a known carcinogen, just like cigarettes.” Ultraviolet radiation causes skin cancer, premature aging and weakens the immune system.

Not only is tanning bad for your health, but it is no longer even in style. “Radiant isn’t about being bronzed, it’s about being luminous,” said Sarah Brown, Beauty Director, “Vogue”. The industry is moving so far from tanning that beauty insiders are claiming that “pale is the new tan for spring.”

Skin cancer is a global epidemic with 90 percent of all cases caused by sun exposure. When sunlight strikes skin, a sequence of protective reactions is initiated, triggered by exposure to UVA and UVB radiation. Tanning is the body’s natural, biologic response to the harmful rays of the sun. When a tan begins, some damage has already been done. In fact, after decades of worldwide research, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization (WHO), has unequivocally linked sunbed tanning among young people to melanoma.

The advice of dermatologists and specialists around the world is to use effective sun protection every day. “We are not telling people to stay out of the sun,” said Robins. “We just want people to be safe about sun exposure. If you follow our simple guidelines, you can enjoy the outdoors and still keep your skin healthy.”

The Skin Cancer Foundation’s prevention tips:

- Seek the shade, especially between 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

- Do not burn

- Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths

- Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day

- Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to all exposed areas, 30 minutes before going outside. Re-apply every two hours, after swimming or excessive sweating.

- Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses

- Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreen should be used on babies over the age of six months.

- Examine your skin from head-to-toe every month

- See your doctor every year for a professional skin exam

The Skin Cancer Foundation is the only global organization solely devoted to the prevention, detection and treatment of skin cancer. The mission of the Foundation is to decrease the incidence of skin cancer through public and professional education and research. For more information about melanoma and to learn more about how to protect your skin, visit www.skincancer.org or call (800) SKIN-490.

DP



A guide to all things Santa Monica

The 2007 Santa Monica Official Visitors Guide, a publication of Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, designed and published by Striker Media Group got a slick new design.

The cover commands attention, capturing a spectacular ocean view of Santa Monica mixed with effects of glassy water and sandy beach imagery. Gradient shades of yellows, greens, reds, purples and blues introduce each new section as you tour the pages of Santa Monica. New and easy-to-read sidebars with bulleted information highlight important features of the city such as beach information, spas & salons, view spots, city parks, theaters & acting companies, coffeehouses and farmers’ markets.

“This is the first Visitor’s Guide for Santa Monica that we have published since the inception of the city’s new branding program,” said Lyndell Gooch, Publisher of Stryker Media Group. “The guide is fresh and crisp and consistent with what the destination promises and is a great companion piece to the new corporate travel and meeting planner guide.”

The 2007 Santa Monica Visitors Guide not only boasts the city’s finest in dining, accommodations and shopping, it also explains technical information such as parking, how to dress, electric and clean air vehicles, traffic rules, computer standards and electrical currents, tipping, smoking, telephone service, and a mileage chart from Santa Monica to other Southern California destinations. Easy to follow maps are located in the middle of the guide from the greater Los Angeles area to navigating the streets of Santa Monica.

For your free copy, visit www.santamonica.com or call (800) 544-5319.

DP