tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19716036749864877262024-03-06T18:56:54.242+13:00megaSun New Zealandthis is the descriptionmegaSunNZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656148443441404865noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-30800855253327148852012-04-05T16:22:00.005+12:002012-04-05T16:34:53.783+12:00The good, The bad and........ well you be the judge!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJMnpccgONkitR7xmADaWocpn4f7MxC_2vhHOO5OiFS2FtgICHO21uMX45EF-0TiAgCqNxSm0fbPIePAmuRrCAJHH6otsknTlIGM5SU_1aoU-g7d9w3LCBTzaSGYq1olhYRxDXghbE6Q/s1600/megasunHS.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMJMnpccgONkitR7xmADaWocpn4f7MxC_2vhHOO5OiFS2FtgICHO21uMX45EF-0TiAgCqNxSm0fbPIePAmuRrCAJHH6otsknTlIGM5SU_1aoU-g7d9w3LCBTzaSGYq1olhYRxDXghbE6Q/s400/megasunHS.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727770439498481682" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Good, The Bad and possibly, the downright terrible!</span><br /><br />How do you tell a good tanning establishment from a bad one? Well, there are many things to consider and to determine all of them would make this the length of a small novel rather than a blog, so we will just take a few vital and important pointers.<br /> <br />The first thing is always <span style="font-style:italic;">instinct</span>. Gut feeling is not just an airy-fairy thing. <span style="font-style:italic;">It is not known as the intelligence of the unconscious for nothing!</span><br /><br />Does the place look spotlessly clean and hygienic or do you turn you nose up before you even walk in the door. If you are hesitant about taking that first step because it looks ‘iffy’ don't go in. your intuition will be right 99% of the time. Ask around and see whether other people do find it clean and hey, if you were wrong, who’s going to know what you were thinking, you can always go back and see for yourself.<br /><br />So, the place looks clean and tidy, it smells fresh an you can see that it is immaculate – that is a great start in itself and first impressions invariably couldn't for a lot, but make sure that you check the cabins and the beds are as clean as reception. I have been to places that have a clean front of house because there’s no trade – and when you get ‘behind the scenes it is a different story altogether. A great salon will always let you look around long before you decide to tan.<br /><br />You’ve made the decision to give it a go – but is there anything that you should know about what ‘they’ should be doing? Absolutely! Make sure the staff are properly trained and if they have been there for three months or longer that they have a proper, internationally recognised qualification pertaining to the industry. Most good staff are proud of their certification and are only too willing to point out which one is there's on the wall. Some staff may have more than one certificate showing how they have progressed through proper education. As well as the staff being trained – is the studio (sometimes called a salon or solarium) also registered with A) the local authority and have a current, up-to-date Health Licence and B) a proper tanning educational facility or, better still, more than one. Good examples are Smart Tan International, The Indoor Tanning Association, The Vitamin D Council, The European Sunlight Research Forum or The Sunlight Research Association.<br /><br />The next most vital thing is to make sure that the person who is going to help you with your tanning, as well as being trained, gives you a proper consultation. This is not meant to invade your privacy, it is meant to protect you and your skin and make sure that your tanning regime is personalised for you. You want the time to be accurate based on a host of factors that should be explained to you in a precise but professional manner. Do make sure that your chosen establishment does times that can be calculated down to the minute – It's no good having a place that can only offer say 6, 12 or 18 minutes if you happen to need say 3 minutes or 7 minutes! Burning should always be a 100% no-no and if timing can't be calculated down to one minute increments, then you could very easily, unwittingly be asking for sunburn! <span style="font-weight:bold;">The megaSun mantra is never ever sunburn, indoors or out!</span><br /><br />There are so many more things that we could add here – for instance making sure you don't get ripped off by a salesperson rather than a tanning consultant/technician trying to see you something totally inappropriate because they have a boss who pays them on a commission basis. There's nothing wrong with commission in the right place and done the right way, but we have found through experience that paying a wage that the team can rely on every week and not having to sell things that are wrong, just to make ends meet, always ends in disaster. However, using the correct product to increase your tan and look after your skin are another blog for another day.<br /><br />If you do have any questions about tanning or choosing a studio that is right for you, don't hesitate to call megaSun – that is what we are here for and of course we ARE trained! Call into our studios at 41 High Street, Auckland City or 100 College Hill, Ponsonby - and you will see that we are clean and we do know what we are talking about!Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-31856684395503188292011-05-10T16:18:00.005+12:002011-05-11T08:15:01.773+12:00Now you know how it works, you can enjoy your tanning experience!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAhSnMeuNWv0eqj4UUDROfJUFFYzeyVT8-ORyAmIj4fPuEDgQA2p07uyivDMsEk1juHIocsN_OK851wDP78FxPDvDiJMD_efCvEe6oevaHrwRNTwBFgrcpqDyMhMNuepYAnrKqPHvM-Q/s1600/money+or+science.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAhSnMeuNWv0eqj4UUDROfJUFFYzeyVT8-ORyAmIj4fPuEDgQA2p07uyivDMsEk1juHIocsN_OK851wDP78FxPDvDiJMD_efCvEe6oevaHrwRNTwBFgrcpqDyMhMNuepYAnrKqPHvM-Q/s400/money+or+science.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604938560181615474" /></a><br />It’s a great way to get people to listen – just use terminology they are not familiar with; carefully select words or phrases that you know to be incorrect, but sound as if they are correct and you are half way there. Work on the principle ‘who is going to check anyway’ and hey bingo, you have a whole new set of followers thinking you are very clever. This may well be the case for some people, but not one we care to follow thank you very much!<br /> <br />You see, for years there has been a bogus argument floating around – that sunbeds are more dangerous than natural sunshine. To give more ‘supposed sway’ to this argument, the word intensity has been added. It also gives a bit of extra weight behind the idea – and why? Because most people wouldn’t have a clue what ‘more intense than sunlight’ actually means! So the dermatologists, lobbyists and the anti-tanning brigade are banking on the fact that most of you won’t know the answer and just believe whatever you are told. The fact that we absolutely need to differentiate between dosage and intensity is not likely to enter the head of most people. However, there is a crucial difference and one that needs to be understood if you want to know the real truth.<br /><br />Generally speaking, the majority of modern, professional, indoor tanning equipment emits around the same UVA and UVB as the noontime sun. With this in mind, trained, certified operators can base their incremental exposure times of a patron on their skin type (which will have been established during the consultation and detailed form filling stage at the first visit) and the emissions of their equipment to build up non-burning dosages to slowly and gradually build a tan.<br /><br />To state that indoors tanning equipment is more intense than sunlight is both misleading and inaccurate since the total output is measured thus: Total UV Output = UV Intensity x Duration of Exposure. So, if tanning equipment were to be say, two or three times more intense than summer sunshine, the duration of exposure will be controlled – (in the case of megaSun beds this is from 1-18 mins lying down and 1-12 mins vertically). The total UV output is always controlled to minimise any risk of sunburn. The more intense the output, the shorter the session will always be.<br /><br />Research has not demonstrated that intensity of sunbeds is the issue; the number of photons delivered to the skin and how fast they are delivered is the key. To support their bogus claims, some anti-tanning lobby groups claim that it is possible that intensity could be an issue. <br /><br />So the big question is this: if intensity really is the issue, why oh why hasn't dermatology BANNED all of its dermatologists from using their ‘phototherapy’ devices? Bearing in mind, these machines are more intense than sunbeds – and they are used to treat ‘cosmetic skin conditions’ – yes psoriasis is classed as a cosmetic skin condition. So if intensity is such a danger, why is dermatologists equipment still being used to ‘treat’ these purely cosmetic skin conditions with what is effectively burning doses of UV light – and breaching the Hippocratic Oath of ne’er do harm?<br /><br />Would you like the answer? Here it is in a nutshell. The answer is MONEY!!!<br /> <br />In America alone, more than 1.5 million people use sunbeds (and they have not all been killed off), to informally treat ‘cosmetic skin conditions’ of their own volition at very little cost. Now, If the same people were to use the dermatologists office for the same condition, they would be paying the normal average cost of $100 per visit. <br />If intensity were such a big, genuine issue, then this kind of treatment would have been banned 16 years ago by dermatologists, when they first suggested that commercial sunbeds should be banned.<br /><br />So you see how clear this all is – it is about the money not about the science!Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-58975841732595013282011-03-28T13:10:00.005+13:002011-03-28T13:28:30.124+13:00Are you protecting your family or are you lining someone's pocket? Prepare to be horrified by what you read....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8JBpXUhykbrCMEE-Kc2vjPlmU0quCj8NwM1WlOde9KnOmNPhOZQ-b9dymmYuzdXRHEgzJbDeVmU6c-cIU2Qx8SD-HXjzWa-cJLyN5H1Vsbpls1KO3SxQ3UwSIaDqrJ-iQyDFfF9fkgU/s1600/Warning+Poison+hazard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8JBpXUhykbrCMEE-Kc2vjPlmU0quCj8NwM1WlOde9KnOmNPhOZQ-b9dymmYuzdXRHEgzJbDeVmU6c-cIU2Qx8SD-HXjzWa-cJLyN5H1Vsbpls1KO3SxQ3UwSIaDqrJ-iQyDFfF9fkgU/s400/Warning+Poison+hazard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588917716207224722" /></a><br />Get ready to to be shocked, then make it your goal to shock every person you know with the information you are about to read!<br /><br />for years everyone has run to their drug cupboard to grab their sunscreen. it doesn't actually have to be sunny with a risk of sunburn for this, just the mere mention of the word 'going outside' has generally been enough to trigger an urgent dash to the pharmacy, supermarket or storage place to bring out the beloved 'saviour of the skin', the infamous chemical sunscreen. You see, that is what most sunscreens are, a bottle full of chemicals and most people would;' have the foggiest idea what those chemicals do, or don't do. Well, let's be honest, you don't have to know do you? Those every friendly people on the adverts all tell you the same thing: you need large dollops of the stuff applied to your skin and that of every person you could possibly ever come in contact with. Come rain. hail or shine this bottle of chemical goo will protect you from that FREE thing, created by nature, called sunshine. Now let's be perfectly frank here, if sunshine could be bottled, the dermatologists, cosmetic companies and pharmaceutical giants would be fighting each other to see who could make the biggest profit from it; then no doubt the idea of sunscreen could go and whistle! <br /><br />Those of us 'in the know' i.e. the people who have known for a very long time that most of these chemicals are likely to do more harm than good ( in other words the opposite of the Hippocratic oath), have been ignored and fought a losing battle trying to get the message across to the unsuspecting public. However, there are at long last, working committees who are brave enough to stand up and be counted and provide statistics which prove conclusively that no one should be applying this stuff willy nilly, day in, day out to their skin. More importantly, the harm it can do to children and young people in particular, must told to every parent, nursery, kindergarten, pre-school,school, clinic and hospital and so that the word can be spread to protect ALL children! Humans need moderate exposure to sunshine to get vitamin D NATURALLY form UVB. Sun IS Life!!!<br /><br />So what you may ask can you do when there is risk of sunburn. The answer is: use a physical sunscreen - ie one with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, cover up skin with light weight clothing, wear a hat with a brim and always protect the eyes with sunglasses. Stay in the shade once a moderate amount of exposure has been achieved. The golden rule is never ever burn. Physical sunscreen has a white appearance and may not be so aesthetically pleasing to some, but it is surely better to have this than apply chemicals that can be absorbed and can cause severe toxicity and possibly skin cancer. Be aware that some companies are now trying to be crafty by adding other chemicals to physical sunscreens to try to make them appear colourless; as we are trying to avoid chemicals, check the label carefully.<br /><br />If you want to know what damage the chemicals in sunscreen can do to you and your loved ones, read the articles<br />"http://www.megasun.co.nz/News/SUNSCREENS-EXPOSED%3A-A-MUST-READ%21/<br /> or<br />http://www.megasun.co.nz/News/Your-Favourite-Sunblock-May-Be-Killing-YOU-and-YOUR-Family%21/Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-74428621333405275392011-02-04T15:46:00.003+13:002011-02-04T15:52:45.448+13:00Will Common Sense Prevail?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfyTd-0-XHFoihTKXV8cC03F8lKYI231g-M6wLUnr7MNhrOi9X4i5_RoZFhaHvJ3-QrfDVZQKu40M_Pz1KAq5b7riRutzqEsS0UHLy8M5jN1KKoJCtg1sx0w2SquYvQ2D7-cqUQDNKIk/s1600/dollars+and+syringe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfyTd-0-XHFoihTKXV8cC03F8lKYI231g-M6wLUnr7MNhrOi9X4i5_RoZFhaHvJ3-QrfDVZQKu40M_Pz1KAq5b7riRutzqEsS0UHLy8M5jN1KKoJCtg1sx0w2SquYvQ2D7-cqUQDNKIk/s320/dollars+and+syringe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569661586098338130" /></a><br />The slamming of sunbed users getting a 75% increase in cancer if using tanning beds under the age of 35 has been totally discredited by one of the world’s leading experts on sunlight, UV and vitamin D. Dr William Grant. The database used made the 'increase' possible due to the following statistics being erroneously and deliberately included; thus making a mockery of the study: <br />a) skin type 1 people. <br />b) unsupervised individuals (ie unknown factors which may include some or all of the following: where they tanned, whether they were suitable for tanning or had a skin type which would allow tanning, how long and how often they tanned).<br />c) dermatologists own ‘phototherapy’ tanning units; (there are no rules banning anyone from their equipment)<br />d) home tanning units.<br /> <br />In professional tanning salons skin type 1 individuals do not get past the skin analysis point and are not allowed to use sunbeds. Dr William Grant has proven that when the analysis and stats are torn apart, the results are totally erroneous. – in fact once the four factors which should NOT have been included in the first place are removed from the equation, the melanoma risk actually Decreases! Melanoma and mortality has been continually decreasing since 1985 especially in women aged 20-44. The only major increases have been in male, indoors workers. Interestingly, in Canada they don't have an increase in derms like most other countries and their level of skin cancers and melanoma are not increasing but in fact are decreasing as time goes on.<br /><br />It is a known fact that at least 1.5 mill people have attended a minimum of 39 sessions per year of ‘phototherapy’ at a dermatology clinic – ie sunbeds under another or ‘medical’ name in the last year. This netted the derms [dermatologists] a nice tidy profit of $5billion – so it is no wonder they want the sunbed competition removed as they could increase this by untold amounts if operators had to hand over all business to them! <br /><br />Dr Marc Sorensen states the only real reason that people are against sunbeds, are for nothing more than money – money for derms to have it ALL to themselves and money for derms and other societies who want to profit from ‘phototherapy’ sessions and sales of sunscreen. Some derms, have been sent to prison for cutting off skin or sending samples of unknown origin for ‘analysis’ and claiming they are melanomas or other skin cancers and consequently they are being used in data and statistics that blame sunbeds for increases that do not even exist! Dr Michel Rosin was sentenced to 22 years in prison for fraud – for removing ‘lesions’ he said were melanomas but were a variety of materials, not all of which were human tissue even!<br /><br />The number of derms in the USA alone has increased 320% DUE TO SUN SCARE MESSAGE! We could therefore state they are exposed and their motive is pure profit. Insurance companies worldwide are paying for lesion removal under the title of ‘melanoma removal’- even when they are not melanomas. The reason for making such claims is that the insurance companies would not pay the dermatologists for other types of lesion removal. Consequently, it appears on the surface that melanomas are on the increase, when in fact non-malignant and other lesions are being referred to as melanomas to ensure the dermatologist gets paid. This is a fact confirmed by the eminent professor Sam Shuster of Newcastle University in the UK. <br /><br />Another ridiculous statement made by a well known dermatologist in America:<br />“I see us moving to underground shelters and perhaps living underground” a claim made by – Dr Wilma Bergfeld former AAA president, She also predicts that by 2012 skin cancer will be biggest cancer killer; it is well documented breast cancer leads this table and cannot be overtaken in this timeframe making her predication impossible. This kind of scare tactic encourages depletion of vitamin D. It is fortunate that the public at large are starting to realise just how important controlled UV exposure is for health – just as nature intended! Vit D from controlled, non-burning exposure to UV light could prevent a minimum of 300,000 deaths a year!<br /><br />You be the judge – and the jury. Read the facts, ask the questions and draw your own conclusions; I hope using common sense!Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-57364468538324318972010-12-17T08:42:00.005+13:002010-12-17T09:54:06.807+13:00Same Old Same Old.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXdO0OIO1LtF5MMGBLVZAK9IUbvGjvE0pl-FqXce2BUdR9qUy1vJHmUd8M4Ze3MBqlQFDo_M0slvOTjap9mCFKrzJ3-UfzB71rXS1azVxH7k1F3VYoK69o5dnN3Yzy6mHSQtBwFX9w3I/s1600/merry_christmas.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXdO0OIO1LtF5MMGBLVZAK9IUbvGjvE0pl-FqXce2BUdR9qUy1vJHmUd8M4Ze3MBqlQFDo_M0slvOTjap9mCFKrzJ3-UfzB71rXS1azVxH7k1F3VYoK69o5dnN3Yzy6mHSQtBwFX9w3I/s320/merry_christmas.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551386280883377218" /></a><br />'Tis the season to be jolly…... and so like many others, I am reminiscing on things that have happened over the last year; and better still, about those old traditions that I grew up with in England and while they might be old, I still enjoy them! There’s no denying it, given half the chance, I would be back there like a shot to celebrate the Festive Season. So no matter that is 'same old', it is a same old that i, and millions of others enjoy.<br /><br />Now, to a 'same old, same old' that I am getting totally fed up of hearing, is the anti-tanning brigade’s sunbed bashing scheme. Sadly, we are lumped together with the dross of the industry, then to add insult to injury, we are publically trounced by so called dermatology ‘experts’ who have their facts inexplicably wrong, but because they hold a medical/scientific qualification, we are expected to hang on their every word and believe every verbal utterance that spouts forth from their mouths. Sadly, the public/media have become so engrossed in their rhetoric they assume (incorrectly), they must be right. Of course, the media don’t ask them to explain or prove their findings – ‘they are qualified they must be right’ they say!<br /><br />This leads me to answering something I have been asked recently: 'do sunbeds really give you vitamin D'. After such drivel that they don't has been blasted all over every newspaper and news programme in NZ of late – I will answer honestly and with pride; you see I <strong>do </strong>have to be accountable for what I say; and yes, I also <strong>have</strong> to provide backup for what I say – why? Because I own a sunbed studio of course, so I must be wrong – right? I will lay down the gauntlet of fact and let you judge for yourselves…..<br /><br />The latest statement emanating from our screens by a so called local ‘dermatology-UV light-sunshine-vitamin D-expert’ claims that vitamin D is diminished by sunbeds – and thus you can't get vit D from a sunbed. This is absolutely, utterly, totally <strong>WRONG</strong> – these are the facts of nature: <br />Studies <em>show/prove </em><strong>UVB light produces vitamin D </strong>and <em>UVA </em>light diminishes excess vitamin D in the skin. This is a natural process that helps the body regulate vitamin D production. Making the assumption that sunbeds do not emit UVB and only emit UVA (and subsequently diminishing vitamin D production) is factually wrong and is purely a scaremongering tactic!<br /><br />To show this is a false assumption: <br />More than 90% of sunbeds emit 95% UVA and 5% UVB <em>just like sunlight</em>. <strong>Scientific studies have shown that indoor tanners have 90% higher vitamin D blood levels than non-tanners.</strong> <br />Studies have also shown that a <em>single</em> sunbed session can help the body produce 10 - 20,000 IU of vitamin D. Many doctors are referring their patients to indoor tanning salons (including megaSun studios) to <strong>increase their vitamin D blood levels. </strong><br />As a point of interest, I have been personally involved in Vitamin D depletion and I have tested out the theory of supplementation vs controlled sunbed exposure – guess which one gave me the highest levels – yes the sunbeds. (I have skin type 2 and don’t tan outdoors as I burn but I never ever burn on a megaSun sunbed and I am no longer vit D deficient!!!! (note there is a difference between deficiciency an dinsufficiency but that is for another blog).<br /><br />Professor Johan Moan has just won the prestigious Norway Award for his study: <strong>Sunbeds as vitamin D sources:</strong> a short extract of the results follows:<br />The sun bed sessions raised the 25(OH)D levels from typical winter values to typical summer values. For the purpose of maintaining a summer level through the winter, when no vitamin D is produced by the sun in northern countries, one should consider a significant increase of the recommended intake of vitamin D intake, and to <strong>encourage the population to get moderate, non erythemal sunbed exposures.</strong><br />Congratulations to Johan for being an independent professor – <em><strong>not</strong> paid for</em> by sunbed owners for his invaluable lifetime studies into vitamin D.<br /><br />The 'same old, same old' anti-tanning, anti-sunbed message has gone too far and it is time for the general public to ask the so called ‘expert dermatologists’ to be accountable for what they say and face the embarrassment of 'proving' what they say is true when it goes in the face of ALL current scientific fact – especially when all they really want is to have sunbeds exclusively for their surgeries as ‘phototherapy beds’ and then they can have ALL the revenue that sunbed operators currently have as wages.<br /><br />There are other issues to address, but I will save them for 2011. Till then dear readers and to our faithful clients at megaSun, the megaTeam wish you all the very best for Christmas and the coming year – and please remember if you are in a sunny climate, smart tan; have moderate sun exposure and a non-burning fashion is paramount!<br />Enjoy your holidays!Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-83690981833502913002010-11-21T12:20:00.005+13:002010-11-21T12:40:21.451+13:00Just for a change<a href="http://www.brookegriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/vitamin-c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 450px; height: 299px;" src="http://www.brookegriffin.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/vitamin-c.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Instead of my usual mantra of vitamin D and all it's benefits, I thought I would talk about something different for a change. For although I have been studying Vitmain D and all that goes with it for more years than I care to declare, I have also held Vitamin C in absolute high regard. I was privy in the very early 1980's to be included in a very interesting study involving vitamin C and it's various formats and roles and in particular it's use intravenously. At the time, it was somewhat poo-pooed, but the so called 'those in the know' as just another study that bore no real evidence of just what this Vital Amine was capable of in the human body. How wrong they were; (and how nice it would be to say how 'the mighty have fallen', but I won't. How interesting then, it should come to light that the very same data is now being portrayed as not only useful, but in fact vital for most of us! One of the world's most well known advocates of natural health and healing, Dr Joe Mercola, is one such perosn who actually agrees with what I have been saying for all these yers and his friend Dr Ronald Hunninghake, confirms and elaborates on his experience and studies on vitamin C; confirming just how important this anti-oxidant really is. I strongly recommend you read the article and pass it on to appropriate people.<br />http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/11/20/ronald-hunninghake-on-vitamin-c.aspxSue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-57030011597887446672010-09-29T14:57:00.002+13:002010-09-29T15:00:57.997+13:00How Influential Are The Words I Have Just Chosen?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi6WVT_Tw2emR5OrZzgsm6ic73cz7flWYMMZoDlMikTRc2eILtbKL2b-njs5PFWMI84qSmROxu9XjlEahsqUpQ3W9zoHnRSunarB4pfYP-gK9WE0uwYgCPZ-1NyNYUt2PzT6VJbGbxmg/s1600/Truth_Or_Lies.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 96px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi6WVT_Tw2emR5OrZzgsm6ic73cz7flWYMMZoDlMikTRc2eILtbKL2b-njs5PFWMI84qSmROxu9XjlEahsqUpQ3W9zoHnRSunarB4pfYP-gK9WE0uwYgCPZ-1NyNYUt2PzT6VJbGbxmg/s320/Truth_Or_Lies.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522149486726576594" /></a><br /><strong>CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY!</strong><br /><br />If you think about it, it is human nature to be influenced by language and expression; far more than we consciously realise, especially when words appear to have a melodramatic or scandalous story or headline attached. This is even more so if the words are written down. For example, which article are you much more likely to be drawn towards if you saw these in a newspaper: male 63 accused of touching young girl as she falls off her bike – or – male 63 commended for saving young girl as she falls off her bike. The first one suggests there is much more likelihood to be drama or a sensationalised story involved. And so it has been with the sensationalising of sunbeds and their uses. Newspapers, magazines and TV programmes would be too dull an boring if the real facts were dished out; but if you can throw in words such as addiction, the audience is likely to be more riveted and will buy in or tune in. However use the correct term when talking bout UV light – attraction – it won't sell!<br /><br />You see that is what humans really do have – an attraction to sunlight – why? Because that is what nature intended us to do! We don’t have an addiction to the sun as those who have purported this to be the case have known for many years. So who are the so called experts who have continuously tried to scaremonger the public with their comments, tactics and false advertising? They are the dermatologists and cosmetic companies who make huge dollars out of selling chemical sunscreen. Yes, those applications used on the skin, often on a daily or even more frequent basis which are full of poisons! So wouldn’t these people have far more credibility if they had chosen their words more carefully, educated people on how to look after their skin and be smart in how they get their exposure to UVB? Yes of course it would, but how would they make excessive profits if they chose their words carefully!<br /><br />The level of vitamin D deficiency is becoming pandemic across most nations – and once again some, but not all dermatologists have chosen to brush this aside and avoid giving the general public the real message. That truthful message is, how to take small, doses of UVB in non-burning moderation on a regular basis to ensure that their levels of vitamin D can be increased to a normal level. You see, the skilled, qualified sunbed operators who are well trained and use only professional sunbeds have been choosing their words carefully and teaching moderation and sunburn prevention for a very long time! At megaSun we take great care and pride in our work and our educational message – ‘small doses of UVB regularly in moderation and always avoid burning’ - and all without misconstruing words!Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-83817888977483907732010-09-07T13:37:00.007+12:002010-09-08T10:28:18.980+12:00If Vitamin D Is So Important - What Do I need To Know And DO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi7zOLz_dq1Y1LJjxbEFCrqkGkzbrN53ed_D79P3MWj4cIug5EDuh0sbELRGb9pROH_UthmD0r7wQFwWj7tLw5KReUNa4aR-FAJOfMhOlKXEjl0i7fPXL6ZUZTEuMypz_hGlm9bwIw1Q/s1600/vitamin_d_poster.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi7zOLz_dq1Y1LJjxbEFCrqkGkzbrN53ed_D79P3MWj4cIug5EDuh0sbELRGb9pROH_UthmD0r7wQFwWj7tLw5KReUNa4aR-FAJOfMhOlKXEjl0i7fPXL6ZUZTEuMypz_hGlm9bwIw1Q/s320/vitamin_d_poster.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513982598119910242" /></a><br /><br /><strong>If vitamin D is so important am I likely to be deficient?</strong><br />The answer quite simply is yes. Vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic across the world and is contributing to many chronic debilitating diseases and conditions. The reasons behind this are many and continuing to increase at a rapid rate.<br />So called experts have mislead the public for a long time - telling us to avoid the sun at all costs and if we do go out, apply as much sunscreen as possible and keep reapplying it. This has had disastrous consequences for more people than we care to think about in numbers!<br />The other main reason is that people spend far more time indoors than they have ever done before.<br /><br /><strong>So how do you know if you are deficient? </strong><br />Simple ask your GP for a blood test called at 25(OH)D - it is the most efficient test and cheap to perform. The worry aspect is that many doctors are of the ‘old school’ thinking anywhere around 15-18ng/ml is sufficient - it quite simply is no where near what you need to function well and help to prevent diseases such as breast, ovarian and prostate cancers - not to mention a whole host of other diseases and disorders! This level is SERIOUSLY deficient! The real experts believe that even 60ng/ml is on the low side and are even recommending that some people should be in the region of 100+ depending on their circumstances, skintype, ethnic background and genetic history of diseases. <br /><br /><strong>Who is likely to be in the vitamin D deficient sector of the world?</strong><br />If you fall into any, some or all of the following categories - get checked out ASAP then, make sure you have regular UVB exposure in moderated, non-burning amounts. Your trained megaSun team can take you through a recognised consultation process to ensure that you do not get over exposed to the UV light and get the correct amount of UVB exposure suitable for your needs!<br />* At least 60 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes have vitamin D deficiency.<br />* Studies show very low levels of vitamin D among children, the elderly, and women.<br />* People who always wear sunblock, and/or who limit their outdoor activities and avoid sunshine are almost always deficient.<br />* Dark-skinned people make significantly less vitamin D than other skintype groups.<br />* Vitamin D deficiency is at epidemic proportions in adults of all ages who have increased skin pigmentation, such as those whose ancestors are from Africa, the Middle East, Asia or India<br />*Increasing amounts of babies are born Vitamin D deficient and continue to be so with mother applying endless amounts of chemical sunscreen to their delicate skins<br />This list is not by any means exhaustive and is only a few examples of who is most likley to be seriously lacking in vitamin D<br /><br /><br /><strong>Should I just buy tablets or should I have sunlight(UVB) exposure to get the best levels?</strong><br />Without shadow of a doubt, all of the well known experts - including Profs Sam Shuster, Brian Diffy and Oliver Gillie as well as Frank and Cedric Garland, Michael Holick and many other leading lights on vitamin D, agree that moderate, daily exposure in a non-burning fashion, to UVB - whether by sunshine or on a quality sunbed, is the way nature intended us to produce vitamin D i.e. NATURALLY! Supplements may not always be absorbed in amount that are suitable and not every supplement is guaranteed to deliver what you think it will and some are not vitamin D3 at all (which is what our bodies need. You should NEVER try to guess your own dose of vitamin D as a supplement as it can be toxic if you take too much! Another good reason to have your dose by controlled exposure. There is really only one best way to get your vitamin D and that is the way mother nature created us to get it through exposure to Ultraviolet light!<br /><br /><strong> Just some of the chronic diseases that are caused by, and/or exacerbated by lack of vitamin D3</strong><br />Cancers Hypertension Heart disease Autism Obesity Rheumatoid arthritis <br />Diabetes 1 and 2 Multiple Sclerosis Crohn’s disease Cold & Flu Tuberculosis Septicemia Signs of aging Dementia Inflammatory Bowel Disease Eczema & Psoriasis Insomnia Hearing loss Muscle pain Cavities Periodontal disease <br />Osteoporosis Macular degeneration Reduced C-section risk Pre eclampsia Seizures Infertility Asthma Cystic fibrosis Migraines Depression Alzheimer’s disease Schizophrenia Fibromyalgia Parkinson'sSue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-62740948487920561822010-08-21T14:45:00.003+12:002010-08-21T16:22:09.313+12:00So if vitamin D is so important what is the history behind it?<a href="http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/431/20070508021145/www.fosamaxplus.com.tw/images/about/vitamin_d_calcium_absorption/vitamin_d_production/vitamin_d_production_img_1.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 585px; height: 454px;" src="http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/431/20070508021145/www.fosamaxplus.com.tw/images/about/vitamin_d_calcium_absorption/vitamin_d_production/vitamin_d_production_img_1.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />As this is a long and intricate subject, I will split the blog into two parts, trying to include enough information to make the reading interesting, but leaving out most of the highly technical information. In part two, I will also include more of the questions vs answers debate in vitamin D.<br /><br />In a nutshell, Vitamin D is actually a “pre-steroid hormone” not a vitamin. It was discovered around the same time as other “vital Amines and was allocated the letter D – and so it came to be known by this accepted title. Unfortunately, this historical accident left everyone believing it was nothing more than a fat soluble vitamin.<br /><br />The first scientific description of a vitamin D-deficiency, namely rickets, was provided in the 17th century by both Dr. Daniel Whistler (1645) and Professor Francis Glisson (1650). The major breakthrough in understanding the causative factors of rickets was the development in the period 1910 - 1930 of nutrition as an experimental science and the appreciation of the existence of vitamins. It was not until the 1930’s that vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 structures were chemically characterised. The elusive antirachitic (anti-rickets) component of cod liver oil was shown to be identical to the newly characterised vitamin D3. These results clearly established that the antirachitic substance vitamin D was chemically a steroid, or more specifically, a secosteroid. (A `secosteroid` is a molecule similar to a steroid but with a `broken` ring. Secosteroids are very similar in structure to steroids except that two of the B-ring carbon atoms (C9 and 10) of the typical four steroid rings are not joined, whereas in steroids they are. In humans, the most important secosteroid is Vitamin D).<br /><br />Vitamin D is a fascinating molecule with a fascinating story. Historically, “vitamins” were defined as chemicals that humans required from their environment that were “vital” to human health. These chemicals were needed only in very small amounts to prevent disease; an absence of a particular vitamin in the diet led to a specific deficiency disease: vitamin C, scurvy; thiamine, beri beri. Other vitamin deficiencies were found to be a bit more complicated: vitamin B12 deficiency was found to cause a type of anemia, dementia, and spinal cord problems. Of course more modern research proves conclusively that vitamin D3 is also plays a major role in these diseases as well. Because vitamins are required in such small amounts, and are often present in small amounts in foods, their discovery was an opportunity to prevent and cure several diseases. <br /><br />Heart disease is one of our three biggest killers (along with cancer and stroke). One of the better prospective studies done on vitamin D and heart disease followed subjects over time, measuring vitamin D levels and following them to see who developed a first incidence of heart attack. They found that those with low vitamin D levels who also had high blood pressure (a well-recognized risk factor for heart disease) were more likely to develop a first heart attack than hypertensive patients with higher vitamin D levels.<br /><br />It is nearly impossible to ingest sufficient vitamin D in a typical diet, and it is nearly absent from breast milk. In areas where sunlight is scarce or where culture prevents sun exposure, rickets was more common. Rickets became rare in the U.S. once children’s parents began shoving them full of cod-liver oil, and once vitamin D was added to milk.<br /><br /><strong>So make sure you get your dose of vitamin D - on your local, professional megaSun sunbed!!!</strong>Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-47940843214924443272010-07-29T11:07:00.003+12:002010-07-29T11:13:56.364+12:00Professor states: why we can't give up our tan, and more importantly why we shouldn't try<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7myKk71fPPr4nHl41uyOeBqIfFxDvbmPEWr7ZKXOGQeXu9iG5uVt3aoV84b_tHn3D9zXuBu_i2rNz6dVee9RYW9-BOyNC7dpisUFAlIYlkUw5glEH4NE8Q1oB-wlfthj8TQD0JlyFMXs/s1600/Sunshine+for+Health.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7myKk71fPPr4nHl41uyOeBqIfFxDvbmPEWr7ZKXOGQeXu9iG5uVt3aoV84b_tHn3D9zXuBu_i2rNz6dVee9RYW9-BOyNC7dpisUFAlIYlkUw5glEH4NE8Q1oB-wlfthj8TQD0JlyFMXs/s320/Sunshine+for+Health.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499099290828899394" /></a><br /><br /><br />For those of you who know us personally – or those who feel they are getting to know us from our blogs, Facebook or Twitter, you will no doubt by now, know how passionate we are about getting things right – and how long we have spent researching sunlight, vitamin D, Sunbeds and Tanning. We are well aware of the folk out there who like to jump on their bandwagon and have their say – even if it hasn’t a fragment of truth in it and they no nothing about the subject matter. On the other side of the coin, there are some very dedicated professionals out there who DO know what they are talking about and it’s about time we all listened to them very carefully if we want to stay healthy and prevent numerous diseases and disorders and of course keep the public cost of health to a minimum too.<br /><br />One such person we need to take note of is the eminent Professor Emeritus Sam Shuster from Newcastle in England. We worked next door to Sam when he was at the RVI hospital and both of us have spent many an hour making special concoctions for Sam’s patients over the years we were there. He was instrumental in us taking an interest in all things related to vitamin D, disease prevention, tanning and all things related to UV exposure – and one of the reasons we take such painstaking care with what we do.<br /><br />Sam has recently sent out a letter to newspapers in the UK as well as numerous other people and places, to explain why we must NOT give up tanning or controlled UV exposure on a good quality sunbeds. {we assume from what we know of Prof Shuster he would only approve of operators who know what they are doing, why and how!} <br /><br />His excellent work is outlined on our website and the crux of the article is: <br />Skin cancer statistics are used to scare, not educate. Almost all of the 84,000 skin "cancers" that appear each year are in fact benign: they don't spread or kill; their cancerous name is a historical misnomer. Of course, sun exposure increases facial wrinkling, as does smoking, but the black ace in the fear game is melanoma, because the real thing is vicious.<br /><br />The poor relationship of melanoma to cumulative UV dose had solarphobics running for cover in the idea the article quotes, that a one-off sunburn "could develop into a melanoma". But that doesn't happen: unlike the benign tumours that really are caused by UV, melanomas do not predominate in sun-exposed skin. There are commonsense reasons to avoid sunburn, and for use of sunscreens - but not, to prevent melanoma, for which they have been shown to be totally ineffective.<br /><br />Self-image is measurably increased by a tan, and we will learn much from understanding the mechanism of this wellbeing. UV initiates the synthesis of vitamin D, essential for our bones, and sunscreen promotion has led to problems. It also has a profound effect on our immune function. Strangely, the bastard science of descriptive epidemiology that masterminded the melanoma myth now claims that UV lowers the incidence of many internal cancers and melanoma, thereby outweighing any harmful effects.<br /><br />Plants and animals owe their existence to the sun, and it is hardly surprising that we've learned to adapt and use it. That's why we can't give up our tan, and more importantly why we shouldn't try.Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-87931569440034154752010-07-21T10:24:00.002+12:002010-07-21T10:28:48.828+12:00My mum got cancer – so I opened a tanning studio<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCC8Z1IGjh3tq7uU-FAJzsL9LQsXaafu8EdWTcFDVmb7DIpyRzk32EKivOwuJtxA5OBxgDmvnQiV012spFUrDiDcQTE8_vMAzR68S36cpXSRrfkp3atqak0sppOpQkAg_CYGtU9cB0Wc/s1600/ovarian-cancer.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCC8Z1IGjh3tq7uU-FAJzsL9LQsXaafu8EdWTcFDVmb7DIpyRzk32EKivOwuJtxA5OBxgDmvnQiV012spFUrDiDcQTE8_vMAzR68S36cpXSRrfkp3atqak0sppOpQkAg_CYGtU9cB0Wc/s200/ovarian-cancer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496118970088618546" /></a><br />My mum got cancer – so I opened a tanning studio – yes you DID hear that correctly! <br /><br />She had extremely low vitamin D as well as heart disease and diabetes. No one took any notice and suddenly, she developed ovarian cancer – she died a couple of weeks after being diagnosed. It was too late to help her. However, I have made it a personal crusade to let every woman I know understand just how important it is to have regular, controlled exposure to UV to prevent such atrocities. It is all very well the specialist being sad and saying ‘Oh if only we had known about Vitamin D preventing ovarian cancer, Marie could possibly have been saved’. <br /><br />All the talk in the world won’t bring back my precious mum; but if everyone who reads this spreads the word to every woman they know, then maybe, just maybe we could see a massive reduction in some horrid horrid cancers that abound form the lack of this vital element in our bodies. Interestingly, my mother’s diabetes and heart disease could have been much better controlled too if she had only known that her rigid, daily regime of applying endless amounts of chemical sunscreen was actually killing her!!!<br /><br />You owe it yourself and your loved ones to spread the word to all in sundry that we all need regular, non-burning exposure to UV light if we want to be fit and healthy. <br />I opened two upmarket tanning stuios to help combat the problems associated with sunbeds and operators who should not be in this industry. I guarantee that megaSun is truly different - and yes, we are all trained to deal with our clients sensitively, courteously and with passion!Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-48552686431866610112010-07-13T12:51:00.005+12:002010-07-13T14:06:33.073+12:00Tell The Truth and Shame The Devil!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVbj_Ky9A1y-vRzUxUkTWtrS-WrSuYP6o4QX06af61e6QIHw9SsUoyH2sAwhGW-m6_SclqcFM-NVSFA87HmLfPVeXeb70aIWjpMKWtaSIeavN-DF4j3lh6x3QefK-vC7VM9uUJMhT4pw/s1600/soapbox_take+a+stand.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVbj_Ky9A1y-vRzUxUkTWtrS-WrSuYP6o4QX06af61e6QIHw9SsUoyH2sAwhGW-m6_SclqcFM-NVSFA87HmLfPVeXeb70aIWjpMKWtaSIeavN-DF4j3lh6x3QefK-vC7VM9uUJMhT4pw/s400/soapbox_take+a+stand.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493206413284861970" /></a><br />I have spent many an hour debating with myself as to how to reach out and “spread the word” so to speak. Of course being a little “one man band” has never helped. How do you get to tell the world and his wife about issues that may have a huge impact on life and health – some of it positive; some of it negative? Of course we can tell those closest to us and try to get them to tell their friends and family, but what next? Social media and the networking it is providing is certainly a good platform to replace my “old soapbox” – I think there’s a strong possibility I have missed my vocation standing at Hyde Park on a Sunday afternoon; box and speech in hand, ready to inform all who are willing to listen!<br /><br />Those of you who know me, understand only too well that I am a person who listens to reason and balances things carefully before making informed decisions. The fact I am writing blogs and they could be read by anyone, anywhere, anytime, means I need to make sure that anything I do say is credible rather than just ‘newsworthy’. So, how come when the subject of sunlight, UV exposure and sunbeds is mentioned, the so called ‘intellects’ of this world can paint such unbalanced pictures to inform the general public and get away with it? The answer is quite simply down to money. <br /><br />Think about it; - sunshine is free, a controlled UV light exposure session on a sunbed costs very little and the vitamin D that is absorbed by the body from that exposure costs nothing. That means, there isn’t really a great fortune to be made from these. However a great fortune can be had and shared amongst a select few if you go completely against Mother Nature and how she intends us to live (exposed to UV light in moderate doses). It’s very simple really: get cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies to manufacture chemical sunscreens that block out UV light (and stop Vitamin D from being produced) and then scare people out of the sun, preferably by making the ‘sun scare’ announcements sound like public service messages via societies that appear totally credible in their actions (cancer societies and women’s ‘high society’ magazines for example). The manufacturers pay a nice tidy sum of money to their ‘chosen’ societies to spread the gospel according to St. Sunscreen and bingo – the public think the message of avoiding UV light like it is a plague, can’t possibly be wrong! $US35 billion shared around dermatologists, cancer societies and magazine advertorials/editorials is not to be sniffed at and let’s face it, who in their right mind would give up a share of that level of money? <br /><br />It is interesting and heart warming to see that there are indeed some very honest and trustworthy professionals out there who are now brave enough to speak out against these shoddy practises and tell the world that sun scare is all wrong and that there has never ever been a proven case of a sunbed causing cancer anywhere in the world to date. <br /><br />If you really care about your family and friends; and I’m sure you do, tell them to have a sunbed session at a studio with trained, knowledgeable personnel that have beds which are modern, well serviced and have a consistent dose of UVB or regular, moderate sun exposure. Make sure to let them know they must never ever burn and if they want to be educated about UV light exposure and vitamin D – make sure they ask someone who knows their subject matter and is an expert in their field! Our website has links to some of the most eminent professionals in this field and surely, they can’t all be wrong when they say a little and often is best and in the interests of health, you DO need sunshine.Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-53192049664074630302010-07-08T11:32:00.002+12:002010-07-08T11:34:21.324+12:00Does sunlight cause skin cancer or does sunlight prevent skin cancer?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is an excellent video that poses some intersting questions relating to skin care and sunlight. Does sunlight cause skin cancer or does sunlight prevent skin cancer? *How does sunbathing give you the so-called red neck? * Is tanning booth bad for you or does it help your body to generate Vitamin D under certain circumstances? (And what are the circumstances?) *What is the relationship between nutrition, Vitamin D and cancer? This is a video that reveals the truth about Vitamin D, sunlight and cancer. Find out more with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, in this 23-minute video at Naturalnews.tv</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><script src="http://naturalnews.tv/swfobject.js" type="text/javascript">
</script></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div id="player234">This text will be replaced by the player</div><script type="text/javascript">
var so=new SWFObject('http://naturalnews.tv/player-licensed.swf','mpl','450','350','9');so.addParam('allowscriptaccess','always');so.addParam('allowfullscreen','true');so.addParam('flashvars','config=http://naturalnews.tv/v-flashvars.asp?v=234');so.write('player234');
</script></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><script type="text/javascript">
var so=new SWFObject('http://naturalnews.tv/player-licensed.swf','mpl','450','350','9');so.addParam('allowscriptaccess','always');so.addParam('allowfullscreen','true');so.addParam('flashvars','config=http://naturalnews.tv/v-flashvars.asp?v=234');so.write('player234');
</script></span>Craig Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16122431394097427063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-59369505380691299632010-06-27T14:15:00.002+12:002010-06-27T14:33:46.149+12:00Give me one good reason why......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPTfNWjkxrzo7hkg-pS026cjnXLk13GsX1KdYKbkQ94EvGKzYbDfE4IWThrPlz1rxuSFa3bYQwm6Z0MEAGA0En-S3hZWvntjjyIF-qaKxjbcwA6hM2JJxKnzozOgdWmYLKyNBBZBmUHk/s1600/soalnagrp.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPTfNWjkxrzo7hkg-pS026cjnXLk13GsX1KdYKbkQ94EvGKzYbDfE4IWThrPlz1rxuSFa3bYQwm6Z0MEAGA0En-S3hZWvntjjyIF-qaKxjbcwA6hM2JJxKnzozOgdWmYLKyNBBZBmUHk/s400/soalnagrp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487275848485686786" /></a><br />I am frequently asked questions about tan accelerator lotions. Everyone can remember the days when these were gimmicks with little or no substance to them – and while there are lotions around that still leave a lot to be desired, there are some fantastic creations that really do ensure you get the results you are seeking. We are very strict on what we sell at megaSun. I have studied cosmetic science and perfumery and really do have a much better understanding of what the lotions do and how they work, than I could ever possibly hve<br /><br />The most frequently asked question seems to be “why would I bother with a lotion when your megaSun beds tan me so well anyway”. I have to agree, having owned other big name brands of sunbeds, megaSun is by far our favourite brands for many reasons. However, there are several reasons why you do need to use a tan accelerator.<br /><br />You get:<br /><br />1. A longer lasting, deeper tan <br />2. Deeper penetration of the ingredients gives a more solid block of tan with less chance of patchiness <br />3. A much faster tan – skin moisturised with the correct ingredients tans far more quickly <br />4. UV rays are absorbed into the skin more easily and ensure a superior tan <br />Smoother, softer, healthier skin <br />5. A youthful, healthy glow <br />6. Anti-free radicals are reduced thus making the process more anti-ageing<br /><br />At megaSun, we are very very particular about the brands we stock. We aim to always give excellent value for money, but of prime importance is getting the right ingredients for the best possible results for all skin types and all stages of tanning. We do get the 'world and his wife' offering to sell us their products, but as we are so discerning, we turn the bulk of them down flat. <br /><br />Of course it would be easy to pick up the various 'super-cheap' offers that are around - or (even more common), to buy in stock that is 'slightly' out-of-date or past it's useful life. Studios make huge profits pretending this junk is wonderful, but once clients see they don't get any results, the cat is out of the bag and they would never buy lotion again, and quite rightly so! We guarantee we NEVER do this. It is not only deceitful, but also unfair and the salons who do this invariably get caught out. We hate this sort of thing done to us, so why on earth would we even consider doing it to someone else! As far as the megaTeam are concerned, this practice stinks and should be outlawed!!!<br /><br />If you need advice on what to choose and what is right for YOU - ask as many questions as you like; that is what we are here for, to make sure you get what your skin needs and what is right for you - not what is right for the neighbour three blocks away. Clients who come in to see us, know that we are very approachable as well as knowledgeable and experienced. We can tell you what is achievable and what isn't.<br /><br />Come on down to High Street in the City or to College Hill inPonsonby and let us tell you how you can get the tan you really want.Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-49039732915001894122010-05-28T11:15:00.008+12:002010-05-28T15:00:50.587+12:00Do You Have The Real Facts Behind Chemical Sunscreens?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHlEI1dYcLnP9aTAik1oapbfCrZr35lGWstOFRyqfgSYporXTTNYAmY7bnu1hTrEnHNGDZhVnuMn1kCQArjWcUvEJai5JiTJLpjUAh7AQt1YUK1ZJH0husNLRppKO0Vg_hG9G2z-f8z0/s1600/sunblock.bmp"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476095455035218002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHlEI1dYcLnP9aTAik1oapbfCrZr35lGWstOFRyqfgSYporXTTNYAmY7bnu1hTrEnHNGDZhVnuMn1kCQArjWcUvEJai5JiTJLpjUAh7AQt1YUK1ZJH0husNLRppKO0Vg_hG9G2z-f8z0/s320/sunblock.bmp" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 208px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sunscreens - What are they doing to you and your body?</span></span></b><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">For many years, long before we opened megaSun Tanning Studios, I had a fascination with ingredients. In fact, I can quite clearly state, I was mesmerised by them from childhood; be it ingredients for cooking or food related or, when I was older, those contained in medicines and cosmetics. This possibly influenced my life choices of what I wanted to and where I wanted to work – but that as they say is another story. I have had an interest in sunscreen for many years, wondering what it does when the liver tries to metabolise it, what are the pharmacokinetics of them (key factors affecting their absorption and distribution in the body).</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Those of you who know me well, know that once I get my teeth into something I just have to keep researching and reading until I find answers – answers that are plausible and from studies that are done with integrity and honesty. For some time now, it has been a concern as to what sunscreens really do – or don’t do. I have always had my own thoughts and feelings from what I have read over the years – and looking at the facts presented by clever scientists who understand the whole concept of neutral studies (i.e. without lies, pretention or hiding an ulterior motive). This article tells how it is - what has been known for a long long time. </span></span><a href="http://www.megasun.co.nz/Health-and-Info/HEALTH-INFORMATION-PAGES/1199/1356/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Read the full article here</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and be prepared to have a new perspective on sunscreens! </span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://www.megasun.co.nz/Health-and-Info/HEALTH-INFORMATION-PAGES/1199/1356/"></a>Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-80012217829698692572010-05-24T15:31:00.000+12:002010-05-24T15:31:05.201+12:00Sun, wind and dioxines<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It has been very clearly shown that people living in northern areas often suffer from vitamin D deficiency and lack of sunlight. Most indicators suggest that toxins in our environment are the root cause of the cancer epidemics, including skin cancer. The sun theory is now proven false, we all need the sun.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><object height="280" width="460"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/MOAEX86E6Ck&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/MOAEX86E6Ck&hl=en_GB&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="460" height="280"></embed></object></span></span>Craig Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16122431394097427063noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-9215009804897565572010-05-17T21:42:00.002+12:002010-05-17T21:50:34.131+12:00Should hospitals use sunbeds to prevent infections?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLF5jpLBVtDDL9BfEbR-z4X2F3J0-PvaQb5TmsdakUN3J1bo6uYyEBRI0z0BKjho3k5HdmdwIWuVqQGtth2sX8bicVuGa7Py8uQwxsLPHj0W_xRRwGsoJofp4UYayTWwcu_fZwhThL_4/s1600/5600+blue.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLF5jpLBVtDDL9BfEbR-z4X2F3J0-PvaQb5TmsdakUN3J1bo6uYyEBRI0z0BKjho3k5HdmdwIWuVqQGtth2sX8bicVuGa7Py8uQwxsLPHj0W_xRRwGsoJofp4UYayTWwcu_fZwhThL_4/s320/5600+blue.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472174100192055602" /></a><br /><em>According to a “Naked Scientist" study, the answer is yes!</em><br /><br />We get most of our vitamin D by the action of UVB radiation from sunshine on our skin, however, in the UK between October and March the radiation is too weak for vitamin D to be made. Consequently, our vitamin D levels are at their lowest in March. Is the winter peak in infections due to low vitamin D levels?<br /><br />It is well established that vitamin D is important to the body's immune system - in the innate immune system it regulates the production of the antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin and beta-defensin 2 (http://"http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15322146"); in the adaptive immune system it controls the activation of T-cells (http://"http://www.citeulike.org/user/KGelling/article/6775173").<br /><br />And there appears to be a correlation between vitamin D and infections:From PubMed(http://"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20056018")<br />Quote<br />'Healthcare costs of Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile infections in Veterans: role of vitamin D deficiency'.<br /><br />SUMMARY<br />Clostridium difficile and staphylococcal infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs. Vitamin D deficiency may also contribute to increased healthcare costs. There is increasing evidence that vitamin D may have an antimicrobial role. We examined the relationship of serum 25(OH)D levels to staphylococcal and C. difficile infections to determine if vitamin D deficiency was associated with adverse outcomes.<br /><br />Vitamin D deficiency is intimately linked to adverse health outcomes and costs in Veterans with staphylococcal and C. difficile infections in North East Tennessee. We recommend that vitamin D status be checked in patients with these infections and appropriate therapy be instituted to restore vitamin D level to normal in an expeditious manner.<br /><br />From Digestive Disease Week 2010 conference (http://"http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-05/ddw-teo042910.php"):<br />Quote<br />Higher Resolution Rate of Clostridia Difficile Enteritis in Hospitalized Patients with Normal Vitamin D Levels (Abstract #T1793)<br /><br />Researchers tracked 83 patients who had been admitted to the hospital who were then diagnosed with C. diff. They measured vitamin D levels in all of the patients, then followed their hospital course. Researchers noted how many patients were still alive after 30 days, and compared the outcome of patients with normal vitamin D levels to those with low levels. They found that up to 40 percent of people, especially in an older age group with multiple illnesses, died from some cause if they developed C. diff during that hospitalization.<br /><br />Researchers found that those with normal levels of vitamin D had a higher resolution rate, and a lower recurrence rate than those with low vitamin D levels. These findings are consistent with what is currently understood about vitamin D — it plays a role in immune function, may be an important factor in fighting infection, low levels seem to be a marker for not resolving diseases in general and it is associated with higher mortality rates.<br /><br />So improving vitamin D levels should at least improve infection outcomes, if not reduce infection rates But does anything prevent MRSA or C.Difficile infections? Beta-defensin 3 appears to be effective against MRSA (http://"http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/dkn106v1"). Beta-defensin 3 is created by UVB light.<br /><br />From PubMed (http://"http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19342087")<br />Quote<br />UV-B radiation induces the expression of antimicrobial peptides in human keratinocytes in vitro and in vivo<br /><br />RESULTS:<br />Real-time PCR of normal human keratinocytes revealed a dose-dependent increase of human beta-defensin-2, -3, ribonuclease 7, and psoriasin (S100A7) after UV radiation. This was confirmed at the protein level by intracellular fluorescence-activated cell sorting and in vitro immunofluorescence analysis. Immunohistochemistry of biopsies taken from healthy volunteers exposed to different UV radiation doses revealed enhanced epidermal expression of antimicrobial peptides after UV exposure. This was also confirmed by exposing human skin explants to UV radiation. <br /><br /><strong>So a NB-UVB sunbed would increase a patient's vitamin D levels and produce skin-level antimicrobial peptides including beta-defensin 3.</strong><br />The Naked Scientists Forum<br />Life Sciences Physiology & Medicine<br />Topic started by: Kevan Gelling on 06/05/2010 13:39:57Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-73130199182098731902010-05-12T09:40:00.005+12:002010-05-12T09:49:25.486+12:00Teaching The Correct Use of Sunscreen; Controlled Tanning; Sunburn Prevention and Optimizing Vitamin D Intake.<strong>The Indoor Tanning Community’s BALANCED perspective on teaching the correct use of sunscreen; controlled tanning; sunburn prevention and optimizing vitamin D intake.</strong><br /><br />How Do Indoor Tanning Salons Teach Sunburn Prevention?<br /><br /><em>The indoor tanning industry is at the forefront in educating people how to successfully avoid sunburn over the course of one’s life.</em><br />Studies of indoor tanners have shown consistently that indoor tanning customers once they begin tanning in a professional salon, are less likely to sunburn than they were before they started tanning.<br />Studies have also shown that indoor tanners are less likely to sunburn outdoors than are non-tanners.<br /><br />Consider: <br />In recent years sunburn incidence in the general population has been steadily increasing while sunscreen usage has been declining. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, <em>the sub-group most likely to sunburn is older men.</em> <br />Appropriate use of sunscreen outdoors is taught by Indoor Tanning Studios, thus optimizing vitamin D – the “Sunshine Vitamin” intake.<br /><br />We believe that teaching people strictly to avoid the sun may be making them more likely to sunburn when they do go outside for summer activities – and everyone does go outdoors at some point. <br /><br />Consider:<br />1. Tanning is your body’s natural defense mechanism against sunburn, and indoor tanners have activated this defense against burning; non-tanners are more vulnerable when they inevitably do go outdoors.<br />2. Indoor tanners are educated at professional tanning facilities how to avoid sunburn outdoors, how to use sunscreens appropriately and how to properly moisturise and care for their skin, both in th estudio and at home.<br /><br /><em>When you also consider that the majority of people who sunburn are male, according to the AAD, and that 65-70 percent of indoor tanning customers are female, clearly, it is non-tanners who are doing most of the burning outdoors.</em>In the war against sunburn, tanning salons are part of the solution. Those who abstain from sun exposure completely are more likely to sunburn when they inevitably do go outdoors, even if they attempt to wear sunscreen.<br /><br />The professional indoor tanning community’s SCIENTIFICALLY SUPPORTED POSITION is summed up in this declaration: <br />Moderate tanning, for individuals who can develop a tan, is the smartest way to maximize the potential benefits of sun exposure while minimizing the potential risks associated with either too much or too little sunlight.<br /><br />This position is founded on the following tenets:<br />1. Ultraviolet light exposure from the sun or from a quality indoor tanning unit, with properly rained staff, is essential for human health, and getting it in a non-burning fashion is the smartest way.<br />2. The professional indoor tanning industry promotes and teaches what we refer to as The Golden Rule of Smart Tanning: <strong>Don’t ever sunburn</strong>.<br />3. For the past decade, the indoor tanning industry has been more effective at teaching sunburn prevention than those who promote complete sun avoidance. Since the mid-1990s, tanning industry research suggests that non-tanners sunburn outdoors more often than people who tan indoors. <strong>The professional indoor tanning salon industry is part of the solution in the ongoing battle against sunburn and in teaching people how to identify a proper and practical life-long skin care regimen.</strong><br />4. A tan is the body’s natural protection against sunburn. Your skin is designed to tan as a natural body function, and the body is designed to repair sun damage as a natural process.<br />5. Every year, millions indoor tanners successfully develop “base tans” before embarking on sunny vacations – tans that, combined with the proper use of sunscreen outdoors, help them prevent sunburn. (Proper use being defined as used to prevent sunburn).<br />6. There are known physiological and psychological benefits associated with sunlight exposure and there are many other potential benefits that appear linked to sun exposure, but need further research. The potential upside of these benefits is<br />considerable and deserves further consideration.<br />7. The body produces Vitamin D naturally when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency has become a recognized epidemic and overzealous sun protection practices have most likely contributed to this.<br />8. The risks associated with UV overexposure are manageable for anyone who has the ability to develop a tan.Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-67098704683039199462010-04-29T09:15:00.002+12:002010-04-29T09:20:27.383+12:00Tanning Linked to Easing Chronic Pain<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHeA34VTTQQ-XH6RKetmlwT9b8l97CeKSnDaggeXlcz8Ss73E6udWI0W3YqvGuodU2J-G4USx0ifhbQT-REbuzMEv8x70OrmqOb6QnUiika1koX6pHq-xjP0SPFavDr59ofXxPhx-ScU/s1600/Dr+S+Feldman.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHeA34VTTQQ-XH6RKetmlwT9b8l97CeKSnDaggeXlcz8Ss73E6udWI0W3YqvGuodU2J-G4USx0ifhbQT-REbuzMEv8x70OrmqOb6QnUiika1koX6pHq-xjP0SPFavDr59ofXxPhx-ScU/s320/Dr+S+Feldman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465301140940283234" /></a><br /><strong>Tanning Linked to Easing Chronic Pain</strong><br /><br />A North Carolina dermatologist, Wake Forest University's Dr. Steven Feldman, <br /><strong>is recommending indoor tanning for some patients suffering with chronic pain. </strong><br />Feldman conducted a research trial of fibromyalgia patients which revealed <br />that those who used a tanning bed actually had their pain decline as compared <br />to those who weren't exposed to UV light. He attributes the relief to the <br />release of endorphins that results from exposure to ultraviolet rays. <br />The study lasted a month and a half.<br /><br />One of his patients, Laura Hemrick, first tried exercise and drug therapy to <br />treat her chronic fibromyalgia - an illness that reveals itself with symptoms <br />such as loss of energy and mental clarity, as well as lots of pain. However, <br />she reveals that <em>the only action that's brought relief for her is indoor tanning. </em><br />Her therapy has consisted of using a tanning booth three times a week for 12 to <br />15 minutes per visit. She much preferred that to the increased sickness she felt <br />when trying to take prescription medicine for her symptoms.<br /><br />Beyond fibromyalgia, Feldman also acknowledges that indoor tanning equipment has <br />been used to treat the skin condition psoriasis.<br /><br />The use of indoor tanning as a form of therapy was also a topic of discussion <br />among doctors when a study of people "addicted" to tanning revealed that <br />participants were tanning indoors to aid with back pain. <strong>In another study, <br />UV light recipients noted their arthritic conditions were improved.</strong>Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-69131613247683779362010-04-21T10:26:00.004+12:002010-04-21T10:36:48.899+12:00Get Real! Myths About UV.<strong>Get Real! Myths About UV.</strong><br /><br />Myths and Misconceptions About UV and Tanning......<br />The purveyors of sun-scare, in inexplicable blind zeal for their cause, <br />have made some outlandish and unsupportable statements about sunshine, <br />UV, Vitamin D and tanning. <br />Think about this: Because sunshine is free, there is no powerful pro-sun PR lobby aggressively countering these misstatements. <br />Think about it some more: Just imagine if a large pharmaceutical company did own the sun and was able to send you a bill or your monthly sunshine. The mass-media marketing message you got about sunshine – based on the same science that exists today – would be completely positive. <br />The statements that follow show you that, when it comes to “sun scare” marketing is more important than science.<br /><br />She Said It:<br />“Many sunscreen companies have just teeter-tottered staying in business. <br />It’s not easy getting rich in the sunscreen business.” <br />– Boston University Dermatology Chair Barbara Gilchrest, in a guest <br />lecture at the 13th Workshop on Vitamin D, April 8, 2006 in Victoria, <br />Canada. Gilchrest was refuting the suggestion that sunscreen companies <br />profit from preaching all-out fear of the sun.<br /><br />Get Real!<br />Sunscreen companies are enjoying record profits right now. Gilchrest <br />apparently doesn’t read sunscreen companies’ financial statements <br />very closely. Current up-to-For instance:<br /><br />•» Mult-billion dollar pharmaceutical giant Schering-Plough (Coppertone) <br />reported sun-care sunscreens as making the division one of it's best <br />performers by percentage growth since 2003.This continues to grow annually.<br /><br />•» Even bigger multi-billion dollar giant Johnson and Johnson’s consumer products unit – which markets sun care products like Neutrogena and Aveeno, continues to grow it's profits from sunscreen at an escalating rate every year without fail. <br />Neutrogena’s marketing uses some of the most aggressive sun-scare tactics of any sunscreen company.<br /><br />Last year alone, the suncreen industry amounted to $US35 BILLION!!<br /><br />Gilchrest and her peers apparently have an antiquated definition of <br />what a sunscreen company is. It isn’t just a beach product anymore. <br />Most women’s cosmetics today include sunscreen in their products <br />– marketing usage and need of the product based on over-hyping fear <br />of the sun. Because of this, most women wear sunscreen 365 days a year <br />in any climate – even when sunburn isn’t a possibility – because the <br />American Academy of Dermatology and sunscreen manufacturers have scared <br />them into over-use of sunscreen. <strong>“Sun scare” – is teaching total fear of <br />the sun instead of sunburn prevention – is a huge multibillion-dollar <br />business run by even larger multibillion-dollar cosmeceutical corporations.</strong>Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-17829324892869948692010-04-12T21:26:00.007+12:002010-04-19T14:25:39.434+12:00The megaSun position on Tanning, UV light exposure & Vitamin D<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKZLvXDmAqx87Isru7Vcag-2kybq3K1OUw_p9qxeCbCcbaWRAM9ICt73RxJtQ0WhPqlA-M5-azL0HRxOG0QU6nHbsb__HLkUb6LD7hoPfpoKeewPnWWPscRW1o37vJ1QrsMSCQoceGq8/s1600/sunnyflower.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKZLvXDmAqx87Isru7Vcag-2kybq3K1OUw_p9qxeCbCcbaWRAM9ICt73RxJtQ0WhPqlA-M5-azL0HRxOG0QU6nHbsb__HLkUb6LD7hoPfpoKeewPnWWPscRW1o37vJ1QrsMSCQoceGq8/s320/sunnyflower.gif" width="249" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We acknowledge that any exposure to sunlight can carry a risk; however at megaSun we have invested heavily in the use of the best possible equipment and staff training. We take health and all the implications that come with it, very seriously and our primary goal is to educate the public about tanning, UV light exposure and Vitamin D. Sunlight is vital for our survival, but sadly it is indiscriminate in its intensity; overexposure and burning pose huge risks to health – and in particular that of the skin.<br />
<br />
The body’s own natural protection again sunburn is the brown colour that we call a tan. We must remember of course that not everyone can get a tan and all skin type 1 people must avoid sunshine and sunbeds and be educated on how to protect their skin and still have enough Vitamin D. For those of us who can achieve a tan, how we do it to avoid burning and damage is paramount! At megaSun our lamps are patented to give the same dose of UV light every visit, thus avoiding the aforementioned burning or fluctuations in dosage.<br />
<br />
Sadly around the globe there are too many places offering the use of sunbeds where tanning is indiscriminate and clients can just do ‘whatever they choose’ in a less that favourable environment – invariably with untrained personnel. We are vehemently against this sort of practise at megaSun and spend time with every client going through a complete consultation – skin typing; sub typing; a medical questionnaire and previous tanning history. Prospective clients not only need to complete this extensive form, but they also need to read our mandatory document about UV light, exposure and control.<br />
<br />
This form was designed – intentionally - in conjunction with the famous radiation scientific specialist Donald L Smith of the Non-Ionising Radiation Research Institute. We are grateful to Don for all the input he has given us. The information we post on our website, whether for news or health, is only ever taken from credible sources. In fact we endeavour to source the bulk of our information from consultants, professors and specialists who are noted for their work in fields connected to UV light, sun exposure and Vitamin D.<br />
<br />
It is in the public interest for anyone who is involved in this industry to continually research and update their knowledge on Vitamin D – which after all, is not a vitamin at all (it just happened to be discovered at the same time as the other vital amines)l! In fact it is a potent steroid hormone and it its synthesis through UVB is a vital component for life itself. The form that we know made naturally from UBV is Vitamin D3 – cholecalciferol and should not be confused with vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) which is added to foods and confusingly, not really vitamin D at all. Vitamin D3 – that which you will achieve from controlled exposure to UVB in your megaSun sunbed, will give you approximately the same dosage as drinking 100 glasses of milk in one go!<br />
<br />
The most important things we must remember are these – non-burning exposure of the body to UVB will ensure significant anti-cancer activity and properties that will boost the immune system. The health A-Z on our website will no doubt astound some people when they become aware of just how important sunshine is to the human body!</span> </span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span>Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-18130895633486601292010-04-09T14:05:00.008+12:002010-04-09T18:13:57.336+12:00RISK OF SKIN CANCER AND USE OF SOLARIUMS DO NOT HAVE A CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Scientist criticises unfair investigation methods of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – IARC report flawed as different skin types were not considered<br />
<br />
Brussels, 1st April 2010 (ESA) – William B. Grant, one of the most renowned vitamin D re-searchers worldwide, has criticised the methods used by the International Agency for Re-search on Cancer (IARC) during their investigations concerning a relationship between the use of solariums and the risk of skin cancer. “The IARC drew on a total of 19 studies as a basis for a so-called meta analysis and after evaluating the data came to the conclusion that for the under-35 age group there is a connection between the use of solariums and the risk of skin cancer. Among these 19 studies, five were based on people with skin type one. As this skin type is genetically associated with a high risk of contracting skin cancer, this section of the population is always strongly recommended to avoid sunbathing – whether this may be in the solarium or outdoors. In order to carry out an accurate investigation, this group must be considered separately. The IARC clearly failed to do this“, explained William B. Grant. Should a separate evaluation be conducted, continued Grant, </span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">no causal relationship between the use of solariums and the risk of skin cancer would be shown</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.<br />
<br />
In a study recently described in the specialist journal “Dermato-Endocrinology“, Grant pre-sents the inaccurate investigation methods of the IARC in detail.<br />
<br />
The </span> <a href="http://www.sunlightassociation.eu/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">European Sunlight Association</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> (ESA) is the European governing body of the tanning industry. ESA, based in Belgium, currently represents 30 national associations and companies from 17 EU member states, Norway, Switzerland, Russia and the USA. </span> </span>Sue Birminghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13883872852675874867noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1971603674986487726.post-83997702606417551642010-04-04T16:45:00.001+12:002010-04-04T18:11:38.811+12:00INTRODUCTION TO MEGASUN<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe3TD6nfvkLDpKsdUOuWvqH2l_O2LOiqs9Ie3mruyINo6Unao2ieagqJAlGGmFq56kiz1tzsE1ynXkoY2dqNTME79W3NGlutcOF1bD1lcuOCPftv37MUQuR3amWre05ieLN1i16cftoj4/s1600/sunbed.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe3TD6nfvkLDpKsdUOuWvqH2l_O2LOiqs9Ie3mruyINo6Unao2ieagqJAlGGmFq56kiz1tzsE1ynXkoY2dqNTME79W3NGlutcOF1bD1lcuOCPftv37MUQuR3amWre05ieLN1i16cftoj4/s200/sunbed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456160922359339282" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The team at megaSun takes tanning very seriously, and so should you. In fact megaSun is so focused on healthy tanning it is all they do. No hair salon or day spa distractions just the highest quality tanning equipment, well maintained and appointed private booths and the full attention of trained tanning professionals to ensure your personalised tanning session is a safe and enjoyable experience. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The physical and mental benefits of having a healthy tan are obvious to most of us but unfortunately misinformation and scaremongering can leave us wondering if tanning is a sensible option. Inevitably we have to face the sun on a daily basis; it is indiscriminant in its intensity and with changing seasons, very unreliable. Overexposure to the sun can be harmful so getting your tanning managed in the right environment with good advice and well maintained and regulated equipment is a must </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Our skin types are unique and to ensure adequate Vitamin D intake - and that feel good, look good colouring - the rate of exposure needs to be maintained and regulated. This is just part of the megaSun service and benefit to its clientele.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">To guarantee your tanning experience is of the highest quality MegaSun use only the best equipment from their modern megaSun brand sunbeds to the patented CPI® lamp technology ensuring you receive the correct exposure to UV that is appropriate to you – every time you visit. Our Managers all have been trained and awarded the prestigious Masters in Tanning from Smart Tan International Education Facility and undergo continuous professional development to keep up with industry trends and product developments. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The team at megaSun will ensure you are well looked after from the moment you walk in to our modern studio to the time you leave, we look forward to meeting you soon. MegaSun has two studios located in Auckland City for your convenience on the High Street and in Ponsonby.</span></span></div>megaSunNZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05656148443441404865noreply@blogger.com0