Accessories home - Sun Block
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We have discovered what is probably the best sun protection available today: TechniBlock. Made in South Africa for the harsh African sun, TechniBlock is a revolution in protecting yourself from UVA and UVB rays. It is also one of the easiest sunblocks to use!
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Lifesystems sun protection has been formulated to provide you with maximum protection from the harmful rays of the sun in hot climates and extreme environments. Each sun screen uses broad spectrum protection which means that you will be protected from both UVA and UVB rays.
TechniBlock: The best sunblock we know of!
As with so many other products we now stock, we found out about TechniBlock simply by asking lots of questions when we travel.
For TechniBlock, the story involves a friend called Neil, a Scotsman and a South African doctor.
While in South Africa a few months back on a product test and fact finding mission, we were having a braai (barbeque) at a friends' house. When his daughter mentioned that she was going to the beach, her father Neil's attention was immeditaly drawn away from the steak he had on the braai and he said two words: "Take TechniBlock."
Our ears pricked up and we immediately asked why he was so adamant about his daughter taking this thing called "TechniBlock" with her to the beach. His reply was simple: "It is great stuff... and the only
sunblock I now use!" He then went on to tell us a story about a Scotsman with pale skin and red hair who had travelled to Mozambique on a fishing trip with one of Neil's friends who is a doctor. The Scotsman had literally just flown in from the UK and so was eager to go fishing straight away.
With temperatures quickly reaching 30 degrees celsius and with the sea reflecting the sun's rays onto those on the boat, the good doctor was then very surprised to see the Scotsman take off his shirt as soon as he got on the boat. And the shirt stayed off all through the day, which made the doctor really worried for the health of the Scotsman.
Back on land they all met that evening for drinks in the hotel bar. The doctor walked into the bar fully expecting the Scotsman to be on a medical drip, with severe burns from the sun. What he found was quite the opposite - the Scotsman was relaxing having a beer and seemed none the worse for having spent the entire day under the scorching sun.
When the doctor told the Scotsman that he was amazed not to have to save him with a drip and lots of lotion, the Scotsman told him that he was using a product called TechniBlock.
As you may know, it has always been our mantra at The Safari Store to only stock the ultimate travel and safari products, and so on hearing this story we immediately set up a meeting with TechniBlock in Johannesburg and ordered our first batch to try out. It is remarkable sunblock and it is highly recommended to everyone going anywhere where they are exposed to the sun.
Product focus
TECHNIblock Ultra Sunscreen SPF 15
TECHNIblock factor fifteen provides high, broad spectrum protection against the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. One application will last for hours!
ABOUT TECHNIBLOCK
1) PROTECTION:
-SPF 15 and 40 broad spectrum protection (UVA and UVB)
-A single application lasts for many hours
-Water resistant
2) EASE OF APPLICATION:
-Provides a continuous spray from beginning to end
-The novel valve mechanism means that the container can be held upright, upside down, or anywhere in-between while spraying
-Simple mess free spray-on application
-Spreads easily to give even coverage
-Easy penetration though body and head hair
3) CONVENIENCE:
-Non-greasy, non-sticky, non-fragranced and invisible on the skin within 30 seconds of application
-Leak proof aerosol packaging
-Will not cause beach sand to stick to the skin
-Will not disolve in water and will not stain your clothing
-Ideal for sports men and women who need a high protection product that does not interfere with their performance
4) QUALITY:
-The TECHNIblock range is designed and manufactured by Technikon Laboratories, in its own SOUTH AFRICAN world class Pharmaceutical Facility.
-Each unit must pass a range of stringent tests before being released for sale
WHY SUN EXPOSURE IS DANGEROUS:
Ultra Violet light emitted from the sun light is one of the keys to life on earth and is vital for our existence. Our delicate atmosphere filters out and protects us from most of the dangerous wavelengths of light emitted from the sun, and allows the wavelengths beneficial to us to reach the surface of the earth. Various environmental factors are having an impact on our atmosphere (e.g. the depletion of the ozone layer by CFC's), and consequently the earth's filtration system is being compromised. This means that more Ultra Violet light is being allowed to hit the earth's surface that previously, and it is Ultra Violet light that cause’s sunburn and skin cancer. Ultra Violet Light (UV) is made up of UVA, UVB, and UVC. Understanding the following concepts is important in understanding the impact of UV light: 1) Long wavelengths penetrate deeper but have less energy. 2) Shorter wavelengths penetrate less but have more energy. 3) The higher the energy, the more the damage. The longer the wavelength, the deeper the penetration into the skin. UVA has the longest wavelength and lowest energy – 320-400 nm, and so penetrates the atmosphere well and likewise penetrates deepest into the skin. Because it has low energy, exposure to UVA causes the skin to feel warm, but does not cause sun burn (reddening and irritation). Instead, prolonged exposure to UVA will cause the skin to tan, and is directly linked to the formation of skin cancer and premature skin ageing. New developments in sunscreen are therefore focused on better protection from UVA. UVA can be sub-divided into UVA 1 (very long wavelength) 340 - 400nm and UVA 2 (long wavelength) 320 – 340 nm. Traditionally, sunscreens that claim broad spectrum have focused on blocking UVA 2 only, but research is showing that although UVA 1 has little energy, it too is capable of contributing to skin cancer. New generation sunscreens block UVA1 and UVA2. Tanning beds expose skin to far higher doses of UVA that normal environmental exposure, and therefore are a major contributor to premature skin aging (wrinkling) and skin cancer, and should be avoided. There is no such thing as a healthy tan. If you have tanned, you have damaged your skin. The damage caused by UVA exposure is cumulative over your lifetime, starting at birth. You cannot repair the damage done – you can only limit further damage through skin protection. Protecting infants and children from over exposure to sun light is vital. UVB has a shorter wavelength than UVA (more energy) 290 - 320 nm. This means it does not penetrate into the skin as deeply as UVA and has more of a surface action. It does however have more energy which causes the skin to become irritated, hot and red (traditional "sun burn"). This effect is almost immediate and is uncomfortable, and can lead to sunstroke. UVB damages the skin in a similar way to UVA, but because UVB causes immediate discomfort, people tend to be proactive in protecting against exposure to UVB and therefore sunburn. UVC has the shortest wavelength of the UV Spectrum and the most energy. Luckily for us it has very little penetration power (short wavelength) and therefore our atmosphere filters it out completely and prevents us being exposed. If skin were to be exposed to UVC, it would burn quickly and extensively. Consequently, sunscreens do not need to focus on blocking out UVC. TechniBlock provides industry leading broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB.
A short history of TechniBlock:
Technikon Laboratories were pioneers in the development of the spray-on sunscreen. The novel spray application was designed around sportsmen who required ease of application, full and long lasting protection, and no mess! In the 90’s samples were made up, tested and tried on sportsmen in the 90’s, and the feedback was phenomenal. Full SPF and water resistance testing was conducted by an accredited laboratory, and packaging was finalized. The first availability was through golf pro-shops, and the golf community has been one of the greatest supporters of Techniblock. Techniblock was very likely the first aerosol spray-on sunscreen to be launched in the world. Sales of Techniblock grew rapidly, and today Techniblock has established itself as a solid brand in numerous retail outlets across the country. Agents in the USA and Europe have now begun importing Techniblock, and international sales are growing steadily.
