Recently, The Skin Cancer Foundation awarded its Seal of Recommendation to a line of clothing developed by Coolibar, LLC. The line of shirts, blouses, pants, and skirts were extensively reviewed by the Foundation’s Photobiology Committee to assure that the Coolibar products meet stringent criteria for safety and effectiveness in blocking ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the main cause of skin cancer.

Prior to awarding the Seal, the Foundation’s Photobiology Committee, comprised of physicians expert in the effects of solar radiation, determined that the product sufficiently and safely aids in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin. The requirements included use of a fabric with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 15 or greater, independent validation of the UPF number by in vitro testing in an approved laboratory using standard testing protocol, and use of a clothing style designed to maximize skin coverage and protection.

Clothing is an excellent sun protection tool as it provides a physical block that doesn’t wash or wear off and can shade the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Coolibar’s clothing blocks 97 percent or more of UV rays, providing an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 30 or greater, and offering more effective skin protection from sun damage than standard attire.

Currently, Coolibar has received an official approval letter from the Foundation for four different fabrics used to create seven different garment styles. These include a men’s button-down shirt, women’s blouse and skirt, women’s hooded beach shirt and pants, as well as polo shirts (in two styles). Each garment will display the Seal on the garment hangtag.

The Skin Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the prevention and detection of the world’s most common cancer. For more information about skin cancer prevention and detection visit www.skincancer.org.

Since 2001, Coolibar has extensively redesigned Australian sun-protective clothing styles to meet the tastes and needs of fashion and health-conscious Americans.

Popular culture

"A naked man, arms outstretched suggestive of Christ on the cross or an Olympian swimmer about to take the plunge, stands atop a cassette deck. Electric pulses from the tape player reach his brain through headphones as he gazes heavenward as if in a trance. The phrase "Be the music" scrolls about his midsection, conceling -- perhaps replacing -- his maleness, as the music fills his every cell. Such is the power music has over us that it can take us over completely -- mentally, physically, emotionally.

By virture of its sheer volume, rhythm, and encompassing presentation, music has the capacity to take us to "completely different: psychic spaces. It can lift us from our ordinary sense of reality and profoundly affect our moods, emotions, energy level, and even our level of sexual arousal. Furthermore, the lyrics, when combined with these powerful aural appeals, become all the more potent and suggestive, influencing our feelings of isolation or belonging, our relation to parents and friends, our attitudes toward authority figures, our notions about romance, and our views about gender and race."

Clearly people are 'constructed' by what they hear. Often, their beliefs, values, attitudes and morals are shaped, in part, by the music they listen to. Some say that this is dangerous and encourages people to travel outside the boundaries set by society. Others feel music is very positive and allows people to voice their feelings and ideas.

Take a moment and think about the music that moves you. Why do you listen to certain types of music? What messages do your favorite songs send?

Popular Culture source: Petracca, M., Sorapure, M, (2000). Common Culture. Prentice Hall

Talk "The secret of health for both the mind and body is not to mourn for the past, not to worry about the future, nor to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly." Buddha

How are you living your life? What stresses are you encountering? Are you talking more than doing regarding making positive life changes that will enhance the length and quality of your life?

Published: November 13, 2002

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