Expert advice on summer skin care

From sunburns to dry, flaky skin to germ-laden beauty supplies, summer weather can be tough on your skin and beauty routine. USA TODAY's Michelle Healy asks skin care experts for advice on keeping your face and skin healthy and protected in the season ahead:

Sunscreen:You should be applying sunscreen all year round but come warm weather and even more opportunities to be outdoors, the most important thing you can do to care for your skin is using "sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen," says Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, a dermatologist in East Bay, Calif., and clinical instructor at the University of California, San Francisco. She recommends zinc-based sunblocks for best protection and stresses the importance "all skin types and ethnicities" reapplying it every two hours as people become more active.

And all skin types and ethnicities require daily use of sunscreen. "Even darker skin tones are susceptible to sunburns, skin cancers, brown spots, and wrinkles, just like Caucasian skin," says Badreshia-Bansal.

If you're using "photosensitizing topical or oral medications, such as antibiotics or retinoid products it is even more important to practice this basic step," she says.

A growing number of moisturizers and foundations now contain sunscreen, but users typically put on these products sparingly and do not reapply them regularly, so "you may not be getting the full SPF (sun protection factor) you need," says dermatologist Jocelyn Lieb, associate director of Advanced Dermatology P.C. in Ridgewood, N.J.

"A moisturizer with a strong SPF of at least 50 can be used without an additional sunblock," she says. "But otherwise it's best to first put on a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, followed by moisturizer and foundation or base, if you use it."

Some brands of mineral makeup are promoted as offering UV protection, often because they contain a high content of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two ingredients commonly found in traditional sunscreen. But "the jury is still out" on the level of protection they provide, says Lieb.
Neglected places:The chest, back of hands, ears and lips are often neglected when it comes to sun protection, but they also need shielding from the sun's damaging rays, says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Dermatology in New York.

An opaque lipstick (preferably with an SPF rating of 15 or above applied every two hours) or a sports stick with sunscreen are good bets to protect the lips, but avoid wearing plain petroleum jelly or lip glosses that don't include sunscreen before spending considerable time in the sun, says Lieb. "They can act like baby oil, absorbing UV rays and leading to sunburns."

To get dry, flaky skin prepped for summer exposure, gently exfoliate to give the skin a smoother and brighter appearance. "You're not only removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, you're also removing dirt and oil," says Zeichner. Whether it's an over-the-counter body scrub or microdermabrasian kit, he recommends limiting the process to once a week and never exfoliating sunburned skin. Exfoliation is also a must if you use a sunless tanning product to help ensure even coverage, he says.

es. Loofah sponges, for example, may be great at removing dead skin cells, but dermatologist Jocelyn Lieb doesn't recommend them because they "offer the perfect warm, wet, dark environment for bacteria to grow."

Mascara, eye shadow or any other eye-area makeup "should immediately be tossed if you've had any recent eye infections such as conjunctivitis," says dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal.
In fact, old eye makeup goes "off" in texture and color and can also breed bacteria that causes eye irritation or infection, says celebrity makeup artist Sandy Linter, co-author of The Makeup Wakeup: Revitalizing Your Look at Any Age.

Under normal circumstances, manufacturers typically recommend discarding mascara two to four months after purchase, because of repeated microbial exposure during use and the risk of eye infections, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA notes that eye makeup "has a shorter shelf life than other cosmetics."

Figuring out beauty products' shelf-life can be difficult, given that expiration dates are not mandatory. Even when they are posted, they are general guidelines, says the FDA, and products may start to degrade before the expiration date if not stored properly.

Zeichner recommends tossing any product that "doesn't look right, smell right or isn't working the way it did initially."

Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. Recalls Grape Tomatoes Due to Salmonella Risk

ontact:
Consumer:
(209) 835-6300

Media:
Gurjit Shergill, Vice President of National Quality Systems
(209) 835-6300 ext. 186

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 2, 2011 - Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. of Tracy, CA has been notified by grower Six L’s that a specific lot of grape tomatoes supplied to Taylor Farms Pacific may be contaminated with Salmonella. This product has been recalled by Six L's.

This lot of grape tomatoes was used in the following products made by Taylor Farms Pacific for Albertsons, Raley's, Safeway, Savemart, Sam's Club, & Walmart and is being voluntarily recalled as a precautionary measure. No illnesses have been reported.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and abdominal pain. In rare cases the organism can get into the bloodstream and cause more serious complications. For more information visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at www.cdc.gov.

------Click on the title of this release for a detailed listing of affected products.------

Quinault Tribal Enterprise Recalls All Canned Seafood Products Because of Possible Health Risk

Contact:
800-821-8650

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 29, 2011 - Quinault Tribal Enterprise of Taholah, WA is recalling all canned seafood products including all Salmons, smoked and non-smoked; Tuna, smoked and non-smoked; Smoked Sturgeon; Minced Razor Clams; smoked Razor Clams; and smoked Steelhead. The canned seafood products are being recalled because they were not adequately processed according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's low-acid canned food regulations. Canned seafood that is not processed following those food safety requirements may be contaminated with harmful microorganisms that can cause serious and possibly life-threatening illness. Consumers are warned not to use the products even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

No illnesses or injuries have been reported to date.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide through distributors and retail stores.

The products are packaged in metal cans in various sizes (5oz, 6oz, 6.5oz, and 7oz) and labeled under the Quinault Pride or Quinault Tribal Enterprises brand. All manufacturing codes are subject to this recall.

This issue was found during FDA inspection at Quinault Tribal Enterprises and Quinault Tribal Enterprises is cooperating with FDA in conducting this voluntary recall.
Consumers who have purchased Quinault Pride Brand are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-982-8650 Monday through Friday between 8:00am and 3:00pm Pacific Time.

The Grays Harbor County Environmental Health Department has contacted local retail outlets to ensure these products are removed from store shelves. If anyone still sees these items on sale please contact us at (360) 249-4413.

National Drinking Water Week

May 1–7, 2011


A safe, reliable water supply is critical to the success of any community. It creates jobs, attracts industry and investment, and provides for the health and welfare of citizens in ways ranging from disease prevention to fire suppression. We often take water supply for granted until it is threatened, either by drought, water main breaks, or some other event.

For more than 30 years, people around the country have celebrated Drinking Water Week—a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together to recognize the vital role water plays in our daily lives.

This year, as part of National Drinking Water Week, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) is sponsoring a video contest with the winner receiving $1,000 from the AWWA bookstore. Film a creative video highlighting how you celebrated Drinking Water Week, post it to YouTube and send a copy of the link to dmueller@awwa.org. The deadline to enter is May 30, 2011.

For more information about Drinking Water Week, visit www.awwa.org/Government/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3862&navItemNumber=3863.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also has a website devoted to National Drinking Water Week at: http://water.epa.gov/drink/index.cfm.

WA state pulls back on radiation testing

VANESSA HO, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF
Published 05:00 p.m., Thursday, April 28, 2011

Radiation from Japan has been so miniscule in Washington that health officials announced Thursday that they're ending regular rainwater tests and reducing daily air tests for radioactive material.

The state Department of Health had started daily air monitoring for radioactive iodine shortly after a tsunami damaged Japan's nuclear reactors in Fukushima in March. Since then, all detected levels have been far below levels that would cause health concerns, officials said. Radioactive levels have also been dropping, often below detectable amounts.

The health department said air monitoring will now be done weekly. The tests supplement federal testing of air and rainwater in Washington. The tests, which include air air monitoring, will continue.

Visit seattlepi.com's home page for more Seattle news. Contact Vanessa Ho at 206-448-8003 or vanessaho@seattlepi.com, and follow her on Twitter as @vanessaho.



Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/WA-state-reduces-radiation-testing-due-to-1357457.php#ixzz1LDTyXuxG