By now, most of you know that sunscreen is necessary if you're going to be outdoors (even if its cloudy). Ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate the earth's atmosphere and your skin. UVB rays cause sunburn; UVA rays cause deeper tissue damage. Although most people don't actually get skin cancer until they're 50 or older, the damage can start during early childhood.
There are hundreds of sunscreen products to choose from. All sunscreen products are required to have an SPF designation – anywhere from 2 to 50. SPF ratings of 15 and 30 are most common. Sunscreens are available as lotions, creams, ointments, gels, and even wax sticks.
What Is SPF?
SPF stands for "sun protection factor." SPF measures how much UVB gets to your skin. Most brands sold have an SPF rating of at least 15. An SPF rating of 15 means that if your skin reddens after 10 minutes in the sun, an SPF protection of 15 would increase that time to 150 minutes – 15 times as long. An SPF of 30 would protect you 30 times as long. For the most thorough protection, use a sunscreen that is labeled "broad-spectrum protection" or "UVA radiation protection."
Sunscreen doesn't completely protect you from UV rays, however. Properly applying a sunscreen with a SPF rating of 15 means that you get the equivalent of one minute of sun every 15 minutes you're exposed. SPF 15 sunscreen blocks out about 93 percent of the burning UV rays, and SPF 30 blocks out about 97 percent. For maximum protection, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure.
Waterproof or Water Resistant?
If you will be spending time in the water, you'll want a sunscreen labeled "waterproof" or "water resistant." A waterproof sunscreen will protect you for about 80 minutes in the water. Water resistant sunscreen will give you about 40 minutes of protection. You will need to reapply sunscreen before the protection completely washes off.
How Much Is Enough?
The SPF rating is based on using a sufficient amount of sunscreen. For the average adult, that means about two tablespoons per application. That may seem like a lot, but any less reduces your protection. And even if you are not in the water, you should re-apply sunscreen every several hours.
Find a brand of sunscreen that offers the level of protection you need for your skin type, is easy to apply, and doesn't irritate your skin. It may take some trial-and-error before you come up with the right product.
Summary
Some fortunate people have skin pigmentation that protects them from many of the sun's rays. Others are sensitive and will burn and suffer damage with even minimal sun exposure. Even if you're one of the lucky ones, you can still benefit from using sunscreen. Find the right product, and use it liberally. You and your skin will be glad you did. |
