According to the Centers for Disease Control, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer (1.3 million Americans are diagnosed each year) and exposure to sun rays is the main reason for about 90 percent of the skin cancers.
As you know, there are clothes that offer sun protection. And of course, there are those greasy and sometimes slimy sun blocks in the bottle which deliver sun protection.
Now, there's sunscreen in a pill! Products such as the SunPill, Heliocare and Advanced Skin Brightening Formula with GliSODin® are dietary supplement capsules which claim to provide sun protection.
The SunPill is a pill that boosts UV protection by protecting the skin from the inside out. The SunPill was developed to protect people from the rays of the sun. New research from the University of Miami School of Medicine shows that the fern extract in the SunPill significantly reduced UVA-related DNA damage which leads to wrinkling and brown spots. For best results, pop one each day starting a week before you plan on fun in the sun. This allows the antioxidants to build up in your system for maximum protection.
Heliocare is an oral dietary supplement loaded with antioxidants which help protect the skin against sun damage. Heliocare sun protection pill becomes active within 30 minutes of taking the pill and destroys the free radicals released in the body due to UV radiation. There have been no side effects detected with the pill. Studies have shown that with the use of Heliocare pill, users have seen less reddening and skin damage after exposure to UV radiation. Heliocare is recommended for people who spend a lot of time in sunlight. Experts recommend that despite using Heliocare pill, it’s safe to stay out of the sun during peak hours of sunlight. The price of 60 pills of Heliocare costs around $75.
Heliocare’s main ingredient is polypodium leucotomos extract. Heliocare, made from the extract of a tropical fern, has been used for generations in folk medicine to treat skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
The Advanced Skin Brightening Formula with GliSODin® was developed to promote even skin tone while working to protect and reduce skin damage caused by UVR exposure. Human randomized clinical trials have shown that GliSODin supplementation significantly reduced skin-reddening when healthy fair-skinned volunteers were exposed to UV radiation. Key ingredients include: carotenoids (lycopene, phytoene,phytofluene) photoprotective & anti-inflammatory properties to help protect the skin and reduce inflammation caused by UVR exposure; citrus bioflavonoids to promote even skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase activity (the enzyme that promotes hyperpigmentation); borage seed oil to soothe irritated skin while supporting skin’s structural integrity.
None of these pills is likely to do you harm. Also, Sunpill and Heliocare both recommend wearing sunscreen.
Sunburn protection pills should not replace sunscreen. The American Cancer Society recommends sunscreen products with a sun protection factor of 15 or higher.
According to Dr. Andrew Pollack of the Philadelphia Institute of Dermatology, the pills can give people a false sense of security. The best way to protect your skin is to limit your exposure, use sunscreen often and wear long sleeves, pants and a hat as much as possible.
As with all supplements, talk to you doctor before you begin and keep in mind that it's not suitable for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
And finally, a natural way to protect skin again sunburn is to eat tomatoes. According to Mehmet Oz M.D., tomatoes are loaded with lycopene (cooked tomatoes in juice or sauce) and can protect skin against sunburn. Try to consume about one cup or 10 tablespoons a week, paired with a healthy fat (like olive oil or avocado) which will help your body absorb the lycopene.
Sources:
http://www.sunpill.com/
http://www.heliocarepills.com/
http://www.glisodinskin.com/
http://www.kgw.com
http://www.oprah.com/
Mc Ortega is the former publicist for the late Walter Payton, Coca-Cola and Dunkin’ Donuts. Ortega is a senior communications and messaging executive specializing in media relations, social media, program development and crisis communications. Also, Ortega is an avid traveler and international shopper. Ortega resides with her partner, Craig, dog, Fionne and extensive shoe collection. Ortega also enjoys jewelry design/production and flamenco dancing.