Protecting Your Skin From The Sun: Sunscreen Information

Summer is here and we are all looking forward to enjoying the great outdoors. In this article we will talk about some things you may or may not be aware of concerning protecting yourself from the effects of the sun.

Sunscreens contain a variety of ingredients that reflect, absorb or scatter the ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sun protection factor (SPF) refers to a sunscreen’s ability to protect a person’s skin from some UV rays and gives a measure of how long it would take a person’s skin to burn while wearing the product. For example, if your skin would burn in 5 minutes, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 will increase the time it takes your skin to burn to 150 minutes (5 multiplied by 30). SPF indicates protection against UVB rays only, whereas, broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVB and UVA rays. However, there is no standard way to measure a product’s efficiency for shielding against UVA rays. Ingredients that offer UVA protection include: avobenzone (Parsol 1789®), titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. 

The peak hours of sun exposure are from 10 AM until 4 PM. If you are going to be out at that time, for more than 20 minutes, be sure to apply a sunscreen with SPF of greater than 15. Although SPF of 15 is considered adequate protection for most people, the problem is that most of us use only about a quarter of sunscreen quantity needed to get the full SPF protection advertised on the label. By using an SPF of 30, you will get adequate protection even if half the appropriate amount is applied. It is also recommended that you apply sunscreen twenty minutes before sun exposure because many sunscreens take a few minutes to become effective. And don’t forget to check the expiration date. Extreme temperatures can shorten sunscreen’s shelf life, so you may want to purchase a new bottle every summer. 

The reflective quality of water and sand make it especially important to protect your self. Sweat proof and water resistant sunscreens are best, but remember to re-apply after excessive sweating or water exposure, or every one to two hours. Waterproof products may only provide protection for forty minutes and usually rub off when you towel dry. So be sure to re-apply. 

When applying sunscreen, don’t forget the forgotten areas such at the tops of your feet, ears, thinning hairlines and bathing suit edges. Lips should also be protected with SPF 15 and applied every one to two hours, like sunscreen. And just because you have darker skin tones, don’t think you can skip the sunscreen. Even if a person’s skin doesn’t burn while in the sun, skin that is exposed to excessive amounts of sunlight is still experiencing sun damage. 

Even on cloudy days, the sun’s damaging rays are still coming through the clouds. So, in addition to sunny days, don’t forget to apply the sunscreen when it is cloudy.

In addition to sunscreen, whenever possible, wear protective clothing such as wide brimmed hats, long sleeves and loose fitting cotton clothing to add to your skin's protection. 

Have a safe summer and DON’T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN!