P20

[LBolt]

Hi All

Just back from a week in Milan. Used P20 for the first time and hey it worked. The temp was 100F (38C) and I put it on in the morning and I did not react to the sun at all. The only partof me that started to 'tingle' was the backs of my hands -washed my hands after I'd used the P20 - silly :doh:

I have come back with alovely tan - didn't have to use the Johnson's at all! and I feel good! :jump:

[AnM]

Lbolt,

Hey. are u saying u sun bathed? & w/ such a strong sun??

I'm glad the P20 worked for u, so u didn't have Any VISIBLE reactions! That is Great!!

But, if u sunbathed, u may have not had any Visible reactions, but u can get INTERNAL reactions (Not yelling btw, just stressing the words :) )

So, that is why it's best NOt to sun bathe at all. Some people don't get reactions, n some are ok, in different climates, n w/ sun screen or whatnot. But, it doesn't mean you're not doing anything to your body, that can be harmful, in the end.

I glad u had a great time!! It must have been real nice there!! But, please, out of concern, be careful n take care.
Alicia :coffee: :flowers:

[LBolt]

I didn't actually sunbathe - just walked around in the shade! Usually that is enough for me to have a reaction - but I didn't this time. Maybe it was the P20 or maybe just because I started Placquenil 5 weeks ago.

Although sat in the sun for a while before I went on holiday without any sunscreen on for a trial and I felt as if my hands and arms had been stung with nettles.

Will test it out again - WHEN we have sun again here in Scotland!

Lynn

[chantal]

hi :P what is p20 and where can u get it ?
thanks
luv
chantal :love:

[LBolt]

Hi Chantel

P20 is a type of sun block oil based. You put it on 90 mins before you go out in the sun and it acts like a film. You don't have to reapply it and you can swim as well.

I got it from Boots or any type of place that sells sun screens. I do know that it used only to be sold in the US or on flights to the US but it is now common here in the UK.

Hope you find it - you may get it on the internet as well.

Take care

Lynn

[Clare.T]

I am very glad you got on well and enjoyed your holiday without suffering

However I am rather concerned about this P20 stuff and very much doubt if it is suitable for those of us who have serious photosensitivity issues although I would have to check this out with my doctor.

For one thing, it vaunts about going brown without burning. Like it or not, going brown is the skin's defense mechanism against being burnt.

Getting tanned shows that the skin cells are being affected and that is what we have to guard against. It's changes in the cells that stimulate autoimmune activity and skin lupus.

The P20 website says this


P20 should be applied very carefully, according to the instructions, 90 minutes before sunbathing. The active ingredient in P20 is p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) which is a natural substance also known as Vitamin H. When P20 is applied to the skin the PABA binds to the keratin - a process that takes about 90 minutes.



Last I heard we are advised to avoid sun screens with PABA as it is a frequent cause of skin irritation. Many of us have very sensitive skins
In fact it is an uncommon ingredient in sun screens these days for that very reason.

It only mentions SPF 20 and says nothing about UVA .

Those of us who have serious concerns because our skins are already affected by lupus, need full spectrum protection, a total block, and 4 stars on the back for UVA, in the UK anyway. That's what the lupus specialist dermatologist said at the LupusUK meeting.

We need a mix of chemical and physical barriers ideally.

UVA rays are as strong when there is cloud cover as when it is sunny. They can cause as much damage as UVB.
People with skin concerns should be wearing total block indoors and out all year round even in the Scottish Highlands in the dead of winter.

Sorry to be grim - I will check this out as soon as I can but I would hate anybody to be damaged meanwhile.

Sun protection is the first line of therapy for those with skin lupus and if we don't do this as well as we can for ourselves we might as well not bother with topcial therapy or medications.
As Alicia comments there is evidence that internal lupus can be aggravated even if there are no visible signs

Edited to add these links

http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/doc/sunscreen.pdf

http://www.chwframe.staywellsolutionsonlin...%20Acid,%20P ABA (http://www.chwframe.staywellsolutionsonline.com/modules/goldstandard/monograph.asp?cpnum=466&name=Para-Aminobenzoic%20Acid,%20PABA)

Cheers

Clare