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H E A L T H S C E N E
S U M M E R 2 0 1 4
N E W S , V I E W S & T I P S
H E A L T H T A L K
SUNSCREEN LABEL S
Reading is
believing
OK, so maybe you can’t judge a book by
its cover. But you can learn a lot about a
bottle of sunscreen just by looking at its
label.
Specifically, checking the label helps you
choose a sunscreen that reduces your risk
of sunburn, early aging and skin cancer.
And now that the U.S. Food and Drug Ad-
ministration has updated sunscreen label
rules, making the right choice for your skin
is easier than ever.
What’s new?
Here’s a closer look at to-
day’s sunscreen labels, with hints on how
to make them work for you:
Look for
broad-spectrum
protection.
These words mean that the sunscreen helps
guard against ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B
rays. Both kinds can damage skin and lead
to wrinkles and skin cancer. Only products
that pass a test can carry this claim.
Check the sun-protection factor (SPF).
The label also shows whether the sunscreen
has an SPF rating of at least 15, which can
help safeguard your skin. For even greater
protection, dermatologists recommend a
broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.
Heed the warning.
Sunscreens rated
lower than SPF 15 or that don’t offer broad-
spectrum protection must warn that they
guard only against sunburn—not skin
cancer and early aging.
Choose a water-resistant product.
The
label now states whether the sunscreen re-
sists water for up to either 40 or 80minutes,
at which time you’ll need to reapply. Claims
that a product is waterproof or sweatproof
aren’t allowed anymore because there’s no
way to prevent all of the sunscreen from
coming off your skin when you swim or
sweat. The term
sunblock
is also considered
misleading and banned from sunscreen
bottles.
Rub it in
Once you’ve chosen the right
sunscreen, be sure to apply it to exposed
skin whenever you plan to spend time in
the sun. And use plenty—about 1 ounce
(enough to fill 2 tablespoons). Don’t forget
to rub some more on every two hours—
sooner if you get wet.
Sources: American Academy of Dermatology; American Cancer
Society
Take a shot at
migraine relief
GVMH doctor offers the
latest treatment for these
painful headaches
Injections of Botox are well-known as a
fix for furrows and fine lines on the face.
But you may not know that Botox can also
help with a more serious health problem:
migraines.
Brendan Bagley, MD, a family medi-
cine specialist at Golden Valley Memorial
Healthcare, is well aware of the toll that
migraines can take on someone’s life. He
sees it all the time in his patients who have
these particularly
painful headaches.
“Think about
the times you’ve
had a horrible
headache,” he says.
“Then think about
having those 16 or
20 days a month.
Migraines can be
i nc apac it at i ng ,
devastating.”
That’s why Dr. Bagley is pleased to offer
Botox injections, a fairly new and effective
treatment option for people with severe
migraines.
How it works
Botox relaxes small
muscles and interrupts nerves that af-
fect migraines. Patients get a series of
up to 31 injections in the forehead, brow,
temples, neck, shoulders and back of the
head.
The injections take less than 15 minutes.
“We use a very small needle,” Dr. Bagley
says. “People can go right back to work.”
Shots are repeated every 12 weeks. Pa-
tients need several rounds of the shots to
know if they work, he says. The goal is to
prevent the headaches, shorten their dura-
tion or decrease their pain.
“If someone goes from having mi-
graines 23 days a month to 16 days—or if
he or she rates the pain at four instead of
nine—that’s a big deal,” Dr. Bagley says.
Who can get it
Botox is approved for
people whose migraines happen 15 or
more days a month and last four or more
hours at a time. Other treatments must
be tried first. Many insurance plans cover
treatment for patients who qualify.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administra-
tion approved the use of Botox for treating
migraines in late 2010.
“Botox is very safe. It’s been used for
cosmetic reasons for years, and doctors
noticed that people who got it also got
fewer headaches,” Dr. Bagley says. “No
one within 70 miles of here is offering this
treatment for migraines.”
We do more than heal
headaches. Dr. Bagley
also offers Juvéderm and
cosmetic Botox injections.
Call 660-890-8321.
Brendan Bagley, MD
Sun Safety
Are you sun-savvy? Find out with
our interactive tool: 7 key tips
for staying safe in the sunshine.
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