I admit I haven’t always been as diligent with sunblock [...]]]> As a surfer here on Maui, I’m often in the water or at the beach for extended periods of time.  A 2 to 3 hour surf session is the norm and the time spent admiring the view certainly adds up.  This means hours of exposure every day!

I admit I haven’t always been as diligent with sunblock (or deodorant for that matter) as I should be.  There’s nothing worse than having a sunblock run into and sting your eyes or leave you with a greasy grip on your board!  But with the advent of products like Watermans that work beyond well, I’m beginning a new era in my sun protection routine.  Hopefully my olive skin has saved me to some degree!

Watermans Applied Science – http://www.watermansappliedscience.com – is honestly the first “sun block system” I’ve consistently used.  The “delivery” system is what I think makes it so easy and common sensical (not sure if that’s a word, but you get the jist)

What I like about Watermans sun block system:  1. Ease of use; Watermans provides a face and lip stick and a non-greasy lotion.  The various appliques cover you perfectly.  Lip balm keeps your lips from blistering, an M&M size squirt of the lotion covers your face and the face stick is a great add-on for the cheekbones and nose I found.  2. No eye irritation.  Nothing runs into your eyes or leaves you with a slippery grip!  3. It lasts at least a few hours… Watermans suggests re-application after a co uple hours.  My experience has been that it lasts throughout some LONG sessions.  I’ll apply in the morning and then again in the latter afternoon … I haven’t burned once since using Watermans.

The website also provides information that’s actually interesting to read too … the more you understand it all … the more inclined you are to take action and use their protective system. 

Intersting product factoids:

Watermans: Applied Science follows the recommendation of the CDC, FDA, and Skin Cancer Foundation and uses a mix of organic and inorganic sunscreens. The organic sunscreens are commonly known as “chemical.” These agents protect against UV by absorbing the energy from UV rays. Inorganic sunscreens, such as metal oxides or particulate UV filters, are often termed “physical” or “mineral.” The metal oxides, namely titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, are insoluble particles, which absorb and reflect UV. The differences between these active ingredients are primarily based on their solubility, with organic UV filters existing in solution and physical ones being suspended or insoluble. The effectiveness of physical/mineral sunscreen agents depends on their presence on the outer layer of the skin and the effectiveness of the organic sunscreens is dependent on the skins ability to absorb the sunscreen agent. For this reason it is important to find a good mix of both physical and organic sunscreen agents in order to ensure consistent broad-spectrum protection.

UVA – UVA was once thought to have a minor effect on skin damage, but now studies are showing that UVA is a major contributor to skin damage. UVA is a high-energy wave that penetrates deeper into the skin to do its damage. The intensity of UVA radiation is more constant than UVB without the variations during the day and throughout the year. UVA is not filtered by glass. UV-A can be further subdivided into UV-A I, or far UV-A (340-400 nm), and UV-A II, or near UV-A (320-340 nm).

UVB – UVB affects the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, and is the primary agent responsible for sunburns. It is the most intense between the hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm when the sunlight is brightest. It is more intense in the summer months accounting for 70% of a person’s yearly UVB dose. UVB does not penetrate glass.

Watermans Applied Science has definitely made it easier for me to deal with the important issue of sun protection.  Their innovative and comprehensive approach insures that even previously sun baked souls like me stand a chance of an integumentary comeback.   And at the rate of protection I’m getting now I may even regenerate some other cells that I’ve surely cooked over the years!

Aloha Tommy Callan

Beach Boy Events
e:

c:808-250-3748

www.beachboyevents.com