SINGAPORE : How do you shield yourself from the sun's harmful
rays continually without reapplying sunscreen constantly?
Just pop a pill, and you will be protected from the sun for up to
24 hours!
The world's first oral sun protectant are now available for sale in
Singapore.
Harvard Medical School scientists have claimed these capsules to be
the sun protection of the future.
They are developed from extracts of a South American fern, known as
polypodium leucotomos.
It has been used in Europe for more than 20 years with no known
side effects.
Dr Salvador Gonzalez, Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Harvard
Medical School, said: "It is very safe. I do no find any patient,
or any subject that could not have polypodium leucotomos, but I
would avoid to use it on pregnant women."
Unlike sunscreens, which can be easily removed by washing,
perspiring or rubbing, the capsules need no reapplication and are
grease-free.
One capsule will act on the entire skin, including eyelids and
lips.
However dermatologists are still skeptical about its
efficacy.
Dr Cheong Wai Kwong, President of Dermatological Society of
Singapore, said: "When you spend time out in the sun, it i never
without damage. If you like a nice tan, you can never get a
harmless tan.
"Just remember that sunlight can still be harmful. Taking a tablet
to protect yourself against sun exposure or sun damage is perhaps
part of, one of the ways of, sun protection."
Such oral sun protectant is just one of the lines of defence
against the sun's harmful rays.
Dermatologists believe tropical sunscreens and sun barriers should
still be used in addition to the capsules to ensure full
protection. - CNA