Sunday, March 26, 2017
Central Texas Outdoors
Sunscreen: Can it REALLY let you tan safely?
BY J. MICHAEL ROSS jross@empiretribune.com
With spring already here and summer looming large on the horizon, many of us will be spending a lot more time out in the sun. That brings up the topic of tanning and the use of sunscreen to help prevent premature aging of the skin — and of course — avoiding skin cancer that can in some cases lead to death. This article is not intended as medical advice — always consult trained, licensed medical professionals for that. However, we can take a look at where the idea that being tanned is a beautiful thing became popular, and what people in the medical field have to say about the effects of tanning and the use of sunscreen, both good and bad. Eonline.com confirms that we can pretty much
blame the tanning obsession on fashion designer Coco Chanel — think suits and little black dresses — starting in 1929. “Prior to the early 20th century, many civilizations valued fair, porcelain complexions as a sign of wealth and luxury,” the website states. “Leave it to the ultimate trendsetter, Coco Chanel, to change things up and popularize tanning. Returning from a yacht-bound vacation, the style icon donned sun-kissed skin that many women started to emulate thereafter.” A recent report by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bio Engineering, [NIBIB] part of the US Dept. of Health and Human Services says, “Commercial sunscreens use compounds that effectively filter out damaging UV light. However, there is concern that these agents
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have a variety of harmful effects due to penetration past the surface skin. For example, these products have been found in human breast tissue and urine and are known to disrupt the normal function of some hormones.” In an article for Reader’s Digest by Lauren Gelman entitled, “10 Sunscreen Myths you believe that make dermatologists cringe,” she writes: “It’s a dermatologist mantra: There. Is. No. Such. Thing. As. A. Safe. Tan. ‘A tan is literally your body’s response to being injured by UV exposure,’ says Darrell Rigel, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. Gelman continues, “When your cells are exposed to UV light, they produce more melanin, the Sunscreen, 19
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Five ways to enjoy fishing without breaking the bank BY CALEB McCAIG
cmccaig@empiretribune.com
One of America’s favorite hobbies, especially for those who enjoy the outdoors, is fishing. Many people dream of the weekends of early mornings on the lake, tying hook knots and placing worms or spinner baits at the end of their lines. However, like with many hobbies overs the years fishing has also moved into a category of a hobby that can become expensive quickly, sometimes pricing those who love the activity out of partaking as much as they desire. Fortunately, there are several ways to enjoy a day on the water without breaking the bank.
1. Revamp a lure
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Whether it’s your favorite colored Rapala X-Rap or your jig or crank bait of choice, just because a hook goes dull or the body picks up some rust doesn’t mean it’s the end of the line. Steel wool can help revive that shine
after a bit of scrubbing and a file or sharpener can get almost any hook back to looking new and fresh out of the package.
2. You don’t need a boat to fish One of the common misconceptions is that to be a successful fisherman you must own a shiny new boat. You can have just as much fun skipping the extra payment and visiting the many angling opportunities made available by the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD). For example, the TPWD offers Community Fishing Lakes all over the state of Texas. These lakes are public impoundments of 75 acres or smaller that are located within an incorporated city limits or a public park, or any impoundment lying totally within the boundaries of a state park. The lakes are subject to special regulations on catfish and fishing gear and many are stocked annually with Fishing, 19