Choosing suitable and safe Sunscreen / Sunblock Creams.

We need sun, but too much may cause sunburns,

accelerates aging, and causes skin cancer.

The best way to prevent from sun burn is cover-up and looking for shade!

Taking care of our skin from excessive sun exposure,

Follow the application instruction dose of the products precisely, don’t reduce it !

The best way to prevent from sun burn is cover up and looking for shade, especially during peak sunlight hours, between 10 a.m until 4 p.m. But as a matter of fact, there is no arguing about the fact that sunscreen creams / sunblock creams prevent painful sunburns, and they reduce the visible sign of aging, the best protection is achieved by application 15–30 minutes before exposure, followed by reapplication 15–30 minutes after the sun exposure begins.

Ultraviolet rays:

Infrared rays: wavelength: >780 nm.

Sunlight rays: wavelength: 400 – 780 nm.

Ultraviolet rays: wavelength: 100 – 400 nm.

X-rays: wavelength: <>

Ultraviolet rays (UV) exposure can be very harmful, or harmless, depending on

1. the type of UV,
2. the type of exposure,
3. the duration of exposure, and
4. the individual differences in response to UV.

The UV region of the electromagnetic spectrum encompasses a range from 400 nm (nanometers) through 100 nm, and is further sub-divided into four smaller regions:

1. UV-A (315 to 400 nm): Long wave UV, also known as "black light ", the major type of UV in sunlight, responsible for skin tanning, generally not harmful, used in medicine to treat certain skin disorders.
2. UV-B (280 to 315 nm): Medium-wave UV, a small, but dangerous part of sunlight. Most solar UV-B is absorbed by the diminishing atmospheric ozone layer. Prolonged exposure is responsible for some type of skin cancer, skin aging, and cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye).
3. UV-C (200 to 280 nm): Also known as "shortwave" UV, includes germicidal (253.7nm wavelength) UV used for air disinfection. Unintentional overexposure causes transient redness and eye irritation, but does NOT cause skin cancer or cataracts.
4. Vacuum UV (100 to 200 nm)

Ultraviolet-B rays (UVB rays) causes sunburn and skin cancer, ultraviolet-A rays are more plentiful than UVB rays, also less carcinogenic, nevertheless, good sunscreen cream products should protect skin against both types of ultraviolet rays (UVA-UVB rays), since both can contribute to skin cancer and photo-aging, usually sunscreen cream products that protect both ultraviolet rays are labeled broad-spectrum.

It should be noted that

relating to the application of sunscreen creams, we have to follow the application instructions precisely, don’t reduce its dose!

What is Sun protection factor (SPF)?

The SPF of a sunscreen is a laboratory measure of the effectiveness the protection of sunscreen against UV-B, the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn, the SPF indicates the time a person with sunscreen applied can be exposed to sunlight before getting sunburn compare to the time a person without sunscreen, someone who would burn after 12 minutes in the sun would expect to burn after 120 minutes when protected by / uses a sunscreen with SPF 10.

Type of Sunscreen / Sunblock Cream

[1]. Mineral Sunblock creams (Mineral blocks):

TiO₂ & ZnO

Unlike Chemical sunscreen creams which prevent sun burn by absorbing the sun’s rays, the mineral sunscreen cream will block the sun rays. Mineral based sunscreen creams form protective physical barrier on the skin that deflects both Ultraviolet-A (UVA) and Ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays.

The most commonly used minerals for sunscreen (Sunblock) cream are Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and Zinc oxide (ZnO). The different of the mineral based sunscreen and the chemical based sunscreen is the usage of the mineral based sunscreen will left a thin opaque white mark layer on the skin. In order to make Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide sunscreen transparent, the manufacturers using smaller particles of the mineral ingredients, by micronization process to reduce the particle size, which is called nanoparticles (nanometer particles), nanoparticles are mineral particles that have been fragmented to size below 100 nanometers, the micronization process itself is called nanotechnology, nanoparticle mineral sunscreen cream when applied to the skin are less visible. It should be noted that, the term micronized (makes micron particles) does not always contains nanoparticles, the size of 1 micron (μm) particles equal with one millionth of a meter, while 1000 nanometer (nm) particles equal with 1 micron particles, so 1 nanometer particle equal with one billionth of a meter (m).

The so-called nanoparticles are of most concern, it is unclear whether or not they are being absorbed through the skin, nano-particles have a greater potential to penetrate the skin dermis into the bloodstream, the consequences of which are unknown.

If we do not convince, the safety way we can take is avoiding mineral sunscreen products containing nanoparticles, caution also should be made to avoid applying nanoparticles sunscreen cream to cuts, wounds and abrasions (damage areas of the skin)!!!

Maximum concentration used:

1. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂): 25 % and no limit in Japan,
   
2. Zinc oxide (ZnO): 25 % in USA, 20 % in Australia, 25 % in EU particle size >100 nm, no limit in Japan.

[2]. Chemical Sunscreen creams (Chemical blocks):

The Chemical Sunscreen creams allow the sun’s rays to penetrate the skin, and the active ingredients the synthetic chemical compounds absorb the radiation of ultraviolet rays (UVA & UVB), prevent it from burning or damaging the skin.

Avobenzone / Butyl-Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Avobenzone is oil soluble, is one of the most common UVA-protective active ingredients used in Sunscreen cream, it absorbs the full spectrum of UVA rays, absorbs ultraviolet light over a wider range of wavelengths than many other organic chemical sunscreen agents used in many commercial preparations marketed as broad spectrum sunscreens creams, it has an absorption maximum of 357 nm, frankly speaking, the protection activity of Avobenzone is unclear, if it is not stabilized with photostabilizer, Avobenzone has a tendency to break down under sunlight, causes not effective anymore, Maximum concentration used: 3 % in USA, 5 % in European Union Countries (EC), 10 % in Japan.

Benzophenon (Diphenylmethanon)

Benzophenon may cause irritation and rashes in many users, and moreover, Benzophenon appears to mimic the hormone estrogen in the body, that means Benzophenon behaves like estrogen hormone, this chemical sunscreen may disrupt user’s endocrine system, as Benzophenon more readily to be absorbed by the skin compares to other sunscreen ingredients, the use of Benzophenon in sunscreen cream products is particularly concerning.

Maximum concentration used:

Ecamsule / Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid.

Similar to Avobenzone Ecamsule is a UVA-protective sunscreen active ingredient, filter out UVA rays to prevent UV-related signs of aging, it is known for its excellent photostability, Ecamsule was approved by the FDA in 2006, Maximum contration used: 10 %

Padimate-O / Octyldimethyl-PABA

Padimate-O is derivative of PABA / para-aminobenzoic-acid ( PABA is also a standard ingredient in sunscreen product for years, but recently most of the manufacturers remove it from sunscreen cream formula, because PABA stains clothing and causes allergies in many users).

Padimate-O used in sunscreen cream formulations because it can effectively protect the skin from untraviolet-B rays (UVB_rays), which are known to cause sunburn and skin cancer, Padimate-O preventing direct DNA damage by UVB rays.

Maximum concentration used: 8 % in USA, Australia, and EC (maybe delisted), 10 % in Japan.

Other FDA approved UV-filter chemical sunscreen ingredients:

• p-Aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
• Cinoxate (2-Ethoxyethyl p-methoxycinnamate).
• Dioxybenzone (Benzophenone-8).
• Homosalate (Homomethyl salicylate), The salicylic acid portion of the molecule absorbs ultraviolet rays, protecting the skin from sunburn, sun damage. Maximum concentration used: 15 % in USA and Australia, 10 % in EC and Japan, 15 % in USA and Australia.
• Methyl anthranilate (Methyl-aminobenzoate).
• Octocrylene (3-diphenyl acrylic acid).
• Octyl-methoxycinnamate / 2-ethylhexyl-paramethoxycinnamate, Its primary use is in sunscreens and other cosmetics to absorb UV-B rays from the sun, protecting the skin from damage, Maximum concentration used: 7.5 % in USA, 10 % in EU and Australia, 20 % in Japan.
• Octyl salicylate (2-Ethylhexyl salicylate).
• Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3).
• Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid.
• Sulisobenzone (2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid).
• Trolamine salicylate (Triethanolamine salicylate).

What should the good Aromatherapy be ?

" The greatest joy for Aromatherapy lover is developing our own unique blends "
" A good blend of Aromatherapy essential oil is a well-balanced combination of Top, Middle, and Bottom notes "

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of Essential Oils to heal and revitalize the body and mind, a complete psychosomatic system of healing, a holistic approached to health and well-being by means of AROMA.

Who is the pioneer of Aromatherapy?
A French Chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, in 1930. He burned his hand and put in a jar of pure Lavender Essential Oil, and…… the pain was gone almost instantly, his burn healed with no blisters, scars or infections.

What are today’s Aromatherapy concepts ?

Aromatherapy is the science and art of using the pure volatile, non-oily essences of plants in healing, the precious Essential Oils heal and enliven body, mind and spirit by enchanting our senses, medicinal use of Essential Oils brings healing on 3 planes:

1. Physical: Essential Oils to be some of the strongest antimicrobial agents, ridding the body of toxins and fighting infection.
2. Mental: Essential Oils effect mood and have a historical reputation for increasing libido.
3. Spiritual: Essential Oils are used in ritual and ceremony to open and heighten spiritual awareness.

The use of Aromatherapy in business:

In Japan engineers are incorporating aroma systems into new buildings:

• The scent of Lavender & Rosemary is pumped into the customer waiting room to calm down the waiting customers.
• The Lemon & Eucalyptus fragrances are use by the bank teller counter to keep the staff always alert.

How do Aromatherapy Oils work?

• On the Physical body, locally & systematically, via absorbed through the skin into the lymphatic and blood circulation.
• On the Mind & Emotions, via the sense of smell and the Limbic System.
• On the Etheric Energy System of the body, via the energy vibration of the individual oils themselves.

The power of fragrance is used to influence and alter our emotional moods. Their aroma assists in balancing, stimulating, relaxing, invigorating and rejuvenating the body.

Human Brain-Limbic system-Olfactory

Limbic System in human brain consist of:

1. Hypothalamus regulating: hunger, thirst, response to pain, level of pleasure, and sexual satisfaction
2. Hippocampus regulating: short term memory, long term memory.
3. Amygdala regulating: anger, aggressive behavior.

In the Limbic system there is an organ called Olfactory which receives fragrance stimulation / odorant particles, and send the impulse through the olfactory nerves directly to the brain, through the olfactory organ in the nose human beings have the ability to distinguish many thousands of different odors, and the memories of these odors are stored deep in human’s sub-conscious minds. When men / women inhale air molecules which are carrying the odorants particles or odoriferous molecules of an Essential Oil, these molecules adhere to the Olfactory nerve endings in the back of the nose oil, producing stimulation in the nose direct to the brain, this is very rapid and direct pathway to the part of the brain which direct, controls, interprets and responds to sensory input.

Olfactory epithelium area, covered by mucus: 5 cm² in human (5% of the Nasal Cavity), but 25 Cm² in cat / dog, it contains odorant receptor cells 10 million in human, which are regularly replaced in about 4 – 8 weeks, each receptor cell possess a terminal enlargement that projects above the epithelial surface, from which extend about 8 – 20 Olfactory Cilia. We can smell between 4,000 to10,000 different odors.

Brain waves

Smelling Lavender fragrance Oil will increases α-waves in the back of the head, which are associated with relaxation.

Smelling Jasmine fragrance Oil increases β-waves in the front of the head, which are associated with a more alert state.

Types of Brain Waves

1. Alpha waves – regular and rhythmic, low-amplitude, slow, synchronous waves indicating an “idling” brain, Mid wave frequency: 8 - 13 Hz, subjective feeling states: awake but not actively processing information; relaxed; not agitated; not drowsy; tranquil & calm, associated tasks & behaviors: relaxing, watching television, light reading, eyes closed.
2. Beta waves – rhythmic, more irregular waves occurring during the awake and mentally alert state, High wave frequency: 12 - 35 Hz, the normal dominant rhythm, subjective feeling states: alert, concentrating, attentive, focused, anxious, associated tasks & behaviors: listening and thinking during analytical problem solving, judgment, decision making, processing information, REM sleep!
3. Delta waves – high-amplitude waves seen in deep sleep and when reticular activating system is damped, Slowest frequency waves: 1 – 3 Hz, subjective feeling states: deep, dreamless sleep, non-REM sleep, unconscious, associated tasks & behaviors: not moving, not attentive, sleeping.
4. Theta waves – more irregular than alpha waves; common in children but abnormal in adults, Slow wave frequency: 4 – 8 Hz, subjective feeling states: dreamlike, drowsy, distracted, unfocused, associated tasks & behaviors, state between wakefulness and sleep; during sleep, meditation, internal focus, and prayer; sub-consciousness.

The Benefits of Aromatherapy:

• Medicinal benefits: bruises, sprains, burns, wounds, scars, nervousness, stress, motion sickness, fatigue, respiratory illnesses, muscular aches, fungus, inflammation, digestive disorders
• Skincare benefits: dermatitis, stretch marks, eczema, acne, psoriasis, mature skin, varicose veins, dry skins, cellulite, wrinkles, fungus, bacteria.
• Emotional benefits: depression, frustration, grief, hysteria, anxiety, insomnia, lack of concentration, irritability, fear, poor memory, hopelessness, moodiness, panic attacks, nervous tension, sadness, worry.

Aromatherapy treatment techniques:

Skin absorption: massage blends: essential oil blended with carrier oil

Bath therapy: essential oil added directly to water (body, foot, and hand)

Inhalation: steam, handkerchief

Diffuser :

Clay candle or electric pottery

Cold / hot compresses.

Others: salves, mouthwashes, creams, gels

Aromatherapy Composition:

• Essential oil: liquid that is distilled from leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, and other plant elements
• Carrier oil : base or vegetable oils (e.g. sweet almond oil) used to dilute essential oils prior to applying to skin

To get the maximum benefit from Essential Oils, it should be made from natural, pure raw materials, synthetically made Essential Oils do not work !

Essential Oils that could be used in Aromatherapy:

Oil of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Oil of Cajuput (Melaleuca leucadendron), Oil of Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita), Oil of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules), Oil of Geranium (Pelargonium odoratissimum), Oil of Jasmine (Jasminum officinale), Oil of Lavender (Lavadula officinalis), Oil of Lemon (Citrus limonum), Oil of Marjoram (Origanum marjorana), Oil of Orange (Citrus aurantium var sinensis), Oil of Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli), Oil of Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Oil of Rose (Rosa gallica), Oil of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Oil of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), Oil of Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)

Essential Oils that should not be used at all in Aromatherapy:

Oil of Anise (Pimpinella anisum), Yellow Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), Oil of Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia), Oil of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Oil of Pine (Pinus pumilio), Oil of Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), Wintergreen Oil (Gaultheria procumbens), Mustard Oil (Brassica nigra).

Contra-indications

• Pregnant women, avoid: Basil, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Coriander, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Marjoram, Oregano, Myrrh, Sage, Peppermint, Rosemary, Thyme.
• Hypoglycemia, avoid: Geranium
• High Blood Pressure, avoid: Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme
• Photosensitivity, avoid: Bergamot, Lime, Mandarin, Lemon, Tangerine, Orange, Caraway, Cassia, Grapefruit, Patchouli, Petitgrain.
• Carcinogenic: Sassafras, Calamus, Yellow Camphor,

Essential Oil Grade:

1. Pure, Natural, Organic Essential Oils, can be used as Aromatherapy Oils
2. Natural Identical Essential Oils, Non-aromatherapy Oils. (due to highly complex components ± 300 chemicals, Essential Oil cannot be replicated in the Laboratory.
3. Synthetic Essential Oils, Non-aromatherapy Oils.

Aromatherapy Essential Oils scents:

Floral, woody, fruity, greeny, herbaceous, earthy, citrusy, sweety, grassy, oriental, spicy, fishy, powdery, minty, musky, fresh

Aromatherapy Essential Oil Notes

• Top note (15 – 25 %), the initial impression of a scent, most volatile, fastest acting oils, stimulating & uplifting (
• Middle note (30 – 40 %), heart or main body of an aromatherapy Essential Oils, balancing & most therapeutic, generally forms the greatest proportion of the blind.
• Bottom note (40 – 55 %), hold & boost the strength of Top & Middle notes, bring depth & solidness, fixative, least volatile, slowest to evaporate, longest acting, relaxing & sedating.

Top – Middle – Bottom notes Aromatherapy Essential Oil

Top note Middle note Bottom note

Grapefruit Chamomile Cedarwood

Lemon Cassia Patchouli

Lime Cinnamon Rose

Orange Clove Sandalwood

Peppermint Fennel (sweet) Vanilla

Spearmint Geranium Spikenard

Tangerine Lavender Jasmine

Mandarin Tea Tree Vetiver

Eucalyptus Rosemary

Marjoram Neroli

Pine Ylang Ylang

Bergamot Nutmeg

Choosing the good Aromatherapy Oils:

Good Aromatherapy Essential Oils

SHOULD BE :

1. Organic, pure Natural Essential Oils
2. Natural identical Essential Oils.
3. No synthetic chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers.
4. No GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
5. Food Grade (Perfumery grade has nothing to do with aromatherapy !).
6. Non oily, non greasy, do not leave a permanent mark on paper.
7. Therapeutic Grade (processed by distillation under low temperature and under low pressure).
8. No rancidity, not contaminated.

Go Green ! Stop smoking using Natural Herbs.

There are many Natural Herbs for Stop Smoking purposes

Smoking habit is strongly influenced by emotion, so it is very hard to stop smoking, every smoker has considered quitting at one time or another, whether it's for health reasons or because of the heavy price associated with smoking, dedicated smoker has considered quitting because of the nicotine addict.

However, from medical view of point, smoking itself is chemical processes that occur in the brain, when Nicotine enters the body, it is distributed quickly through the bloodstream and crosses the blood-brain barrier, Nicotine binds to nicotinic-acetylcholine-receptors increases the levels of dopamine neurotransmitter, causes pleasant feeling, alertness, relaxation, stop smoking means less dopamine supplied, causes feelings of difficult concentration, easily angry, insomnia, become restless, feeling depressive, these negative effects cause difficult to make smokers stop their habit, consuming herbs to stop smoking is a way to clean the body against nicotine withdrawal (cravings), different people take different herbs to help stop smoking, there many herbs to be chosen for stop smoking (smoking cessation).

Mentha piperita

Peppermint leaves

Mentha piperita, well-known called as Peppermint belongs to familia Labiatae, grows to 1 m tall and spikes of lilac-pink flowers are produced in mid-summer. stems are usually slightly hairy with purple color and leaves can also be purple-tinged, the flowers are purple, 6–8 mm long, with a four-lobed corolla about 5 mm diameter; they are produced in one turn of a spiral around the stem, forming thick, blunt spikes.

Peppermint is an inexpensive herb that can help people to quit smoking who light up in order to settle an upset stomach brought on by physical nicotine cravings. Dried peppermint leaf is used in herb teas, either on its own or in mixtures. Peppermint tea is regarded as a stimulant, a cure for flatulence and has antiseptic properties. It is used in treating indigestion (digestive symptoms), including bloating, gas, and nausea, sore throats, colds and toothache, in a modern aromatherapy, peppermint oil is used for energy & brighter mood, reducing pains, to help breathing, improve mental clarity & memory. A steaming glass of Peppermint tea can also reduce tension and stress. Many people take a piece of peppermint chewing gum to prevent smoking, after taking the peppermint chewing gum, the mouth becomes full with strong peppermint aroma (peppermint odorant particles) causes smoking does not give a pleasant feeling anymore, peppermint aroma can abate and refresh mouth malodor.

Peppermint has a high Menthol content, and is often used as a flavouring in tea, ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, and toothpaste, the other active constituents of Peppermint are menthone, iso-menthone, menthofuran, ά,ß-pinene, limonene, phelladrene, camphene, ß-caryophyllene, 1,8-cineole, methyl-acetate.

Menthol

Lobelia inflata Herb

Lobelia leaves

Lobelia inflata, familia Campanulaceae, popularly known in North America as Indian Tobacco, also called as Asthma weed is a species of Lobelia, It is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant growing to 15–100 cm tall, with stems covered in tiny hairs. Its leaves are usually about 8 cm long, and are ovate and toothed. It has violet flowers that are tinted yellow on the inside, and usually appear in mid summer and continue to bloom into fall.

Lobelia inflata is used for treatment of asthma, the plant material is burned as a natural bug repellent to keep away insects such as mosquitoes.

Smoking cessation with Lobelia tea:

Lobelia Tea, a non-addictive herb, its benefits have been known for centuries among various native American communities as being effective for respiratory and viral disorders. Lobelia is a potent emetic (able to induce vomiting) and possesses relaxant, expectorant, anti-spasmodic, diuretic and sedative properties.

Lobelia is used alone or in combination with other products for smoking cessation, muscle relaxation, nausea, vomiting, and various respiratory illnesses.

Lobelia inflata herbal tea drive away the work of nicotine addicted, with a mechanism similar to that of Varenicline or Buspropion, which inhibit binding of nicotine with nicotinic-acetylcholine-receptors, increase the level of neurotransmitter dopamine hormone, causes the body does not feel pleasant again, finally the body will stop charging nicotine, in other words not addicted nicotine anymore. the empirical use of this herbal has no side effects such as feeling of suicide desire, the desire to harm his or herself, like the side effects caused by the anti-smoking drugs. Lobelia tea can be sipped daily during detoxification period to keep tissues flooded with elements that discourage nicotine cravings. The main constituent of lobelia is lobeline which is a chemical compound said to help relax the muscles and reduce a person's craving for nicotine, lobelia is widely used in many smoking cessation programs.

Lobeline toxicity:

It should be noted, that Lobelia inflata is considered a potentially toxic herb, an active ingredient in the lobelia plant, alkaloid lobeline, is similar to nicotine in its effect on the body. Like nicotine, it stimulates nerves in the central nervous system. For this reason, lobeline was used as a nicotine substitute in many anti-smoking products and preparations designed to break the smoking habit, lobeline bind to nicotine receptors in the nervous system and can cause serious symptoms, such as large quantity of sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, rapid heartbeat, mental confusion, convulsions, hypothermia, coma, and even death, the maximum amount should not exceed a total daily dosage of 20 mg lobelia, doses higher than 500 mg are highly toxic and could be fatal, people with high blood pressure, heart disease, tobacco sensitivity, paralysis, seizure disorder, and shortness of breath, and those recovering from shock should not take lobelia. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should also avoid this herb. Other alkaloid compounds in Lobelia inflata are alpha-Lobeline, beta-Lobeline, gamma-Lobeline, Lobelamine and Lobelamidine.

Lobeline

In 1993, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited the sale of lobeline-containing smoking products. The FDA reported that such products lacked effectiveness in helping people quit or reduce smoking.

There are many other herbs used as smoking cessation, such as

1. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, familia Asteraceae),
2. Kava (Piper methysticum, familia Piperaceae),
3. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum, familia Clusiaceae),
4. Melein (Verbascum sinuatum, familia Scrophulariaceae),
5. Indian Pennywort (Centella asiatica, familia Mackinlayaceae),
6. Mimosa (Mimosa pudica, familia Fabaceae)

Related Article: 5-ways to quit smoking !
See also: Stop smoking with laser therapy

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