Ocean Rescue—A breakthrough marine concept
to reverse aging from sun exposure
By Dan Fryda
The effects of the sun are surely controversial. We are told to avoid sun exposure at all costs; especially when preventing skin aging and skin cancer.
The fear of skin damage from exposure to the sun borders on the absurd as hype trumps logic. This is evidenced by the escalating SPF values flooding the market. At one time, SPF 15 was considered a total block; that is until the shelves were being filled with SPF 25’s and 30’s. Of course this didn’t last long as the SPF 45’s and 55’s began hitting the shelves for real total protection from the evil sun. And now we are even hearing of an SPF 100! It is hard to imagine that mankind ever survived exposure to the sun.
Of course over exposure to the sun without protection can and does lead to wrinkles, brown spots and eventually the potential of photo-carcinoma (cancer). I do not mean to trivialize these dangers. Yet there is another school of thought that takes a different viewpoint; one that points out the need for Vitamin D which our bodies’ synthesize with the help of the sun.
Further, there are those who point out the dangers of relying on sun care creams that rely on the “usual suspects;” conventional chemical blocks such as octyl methoxy-cinnamate and benzephenone-3. Some research suggests that these “blocks” fail to protect the skin from even as they prevent the visible symptoms such as skin reddening and burns.
The sun; it seems we can’t live with it and we can’t live without it. So what are we to do?
There is a need for protection without question. But how can we get our Vitamin D, avoid harmful chemicals, defend ourselves against UV damages and photo-aging while enjoying the sun? This is a question that concerns spa resorts where guests tend to look forward to outdoors activities such as hiking, the beach or lazing by the pool.
First, let’s address protection against over exposure. The simple truth is that physical blocks work best. This includes clothing and especially hats. As far as SPF products are concerned, those with mineral blocks such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide provide the safest form of protection for the spa-goer who is about to spend hours exposed to the sun and the elements. There are products that offer safe sun care that are available. However, for the casual exposure to the sun which provides our much needed Vitamin D, there are other solutions from the sea. They provide a rich variety of marine nutrients to protect your skin organically.
Marine algae refer to all of plants that dwell in the oceans; whether microscopic plankton that create the vast ‘meadows of the sea’ (James Lovelock) floating in our oceans; or the giant kelps that grow 6 inches a day and can attain a length upwards of 180 feet! Within their seawater environment where they are constantly exposed to the strong ultra-violet radiation and harsh climate conditions, these marine plants have evolved a network of defense mechanisms effective protection. These include anti-inflammatory polysaccharides, super antioxidant vitamins and polyphenols, DNA repairing photolyase enzymes and a concentration of vital marine elements all working in synergistic balance within a seawater medium.
Ocean to the rescue
The labs at Spa Technologies have harnessed the healing ocean to provide anti-aging for casual use outdoors as well as after sun care. It begins with the concept of formulating products made from seawater and marine algae extracts. The seawater is harvested from the pure waters of Montauk and filtered for purity by Gurney’s Inn. It is isotonic which is similar to the anti-inflammatory properties of a saline solution but only better. It contains a perfect balance of minerals and trace elements that is completely compatible with the human body. The human body is 70% water; and that water is virtually identical in chemistry to seawater which explains why this is an ideal solution to house active algae extracts.
To begin with, marine algae like Laminaria offer a vast treasure of antioxidants that defend our skin’s cells from the attacks of ultra violet radiation as well as from free radicals and pollutants. Laminaria is a giant kelp harvested off the coast of Iceland and the Brittany province of France. Living in pristine conditions, this kelp is renowned for its wealth of polyphenols—one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants. Research conducted at Ohio State University and the University of South Carolina support the belief that brown algae polyphenols harvested from Laminaria provide strong anti-carcinogenic properties.
Beta and alpha-carotenes provide additional protection and give this kelp its characteristic brownish green coloring. Other antioxidants found in our seaweed include super lutein, lycopene, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and fucoidan. These are supported by marine ions of minerals and trace elements to neutralize free radicals before they can damage nucleic DNA.
Harnessing the Sun to heal the damage caused by the Sun
Comet Assay Test
The DNA on left is like a comet having a ball and a “tail” with strands of DNA that are damaged. The view below shows normal healthy DNA that has been repaired by plankton enzymes
Even with solar protective shield, there may be some damage from sun exposure. Harmful rays can disturb the bonds of DNA to create malformed strands called dimers. The body’s repair mechanisms attempt to correct the damage; but it is a long process. Plankton from the sea contain enzymes that can correct the damage within two hours of application. These ‘photolyase’ enzymes are remarkable. When found in creams or serum, they are dormant until exposed to sunlight. The sun’s rays stimulate these enzymes to repair DNA. Tests conducted on human volunteers by Heinrich Heine University in Germany provided strong evidence to support this claim. Biopsies from the human volunteers revealed a 50% improvement within two hours.
Pollution and cigarette smoke are also contributing factors to skin aging. Seaweed provides defenses against the harmful effects of pollutants. Polysaccharides extracted from brown seaweed neutralize the effects of pollutants while providing anti-inflammatory calming benefits to the skin. Redness is reduced and the skin resumes a healthier radiant glow of youthfulness.
And when it comes to your skin’s hydration, marine polysaccharides provide super moisturization when found in moisturizers, lotions or serums.
So let’s not forget to enjoy the sun with the knowledge that the ocean provides us with an “eco-defense” against environmental aging factors.
For questions or a copy of my chapter on Marine Algae and Photo Aging, contact me at info@spatechnologies.com. For information on our organic SPF lotions and after sun cooling mists, call us at 845-589-0000.
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*** Dan Fryda, Founder & CEO of Spa Technologies is a guest blogger on WizardOfSpa.Wordpress.com ***
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