All There Is to Know About SPF

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. It is the single best thing you can do for your skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology one in five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime: both UVA and UVB rays are carcenogens. Regardless of your skin tone, exposure to the sun increases the risk of cancer. Once pigmentation has settled on your skin in form of sun spots, it is difficult to treat. While laser treatmentspeels and lightening products can be options to help with that, prevention is key.

Is SPF necessary for all?

Every tan is the skin’s attempt to protect itself from the sun’s damaging rays. Even if the skin doesn’t show a burn, the sun causes subvisual inflammation.

Reddening of the skin is a reaction to UVB ’burning’ rays alone – it tells you little about what damage UVA ‘aging’ rays are doing: UVA rays, which penetrate the skin more deeply, are associated with wrinkling, leathering, sagging, and photo-aging. UVA rays penetrate not only clouds, but also glass.

Remember: the more time is spent outside, the more important it is to prevent ongoing skin damage. In fact, it is men over the age of 40 who spend the most time outdoors, and get the highest annual doses of UV rays.

Chemical or physical SPF?

First of all: both work. So it is between a personal preference and what you are planning to do outside. The important part is to use broad spectrum protection against both UVB and UVA rays.

Chemical filters penetrate your skin where they absorb and dissipate UVA and UVB rays. They should be applied about 20 minutes before sun exposure. They are great if you are planning to engage in physical activity or go swimming.

Physical or mineral sunscreens sit on the skin and scatter and reflect the rays. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are the ingredients to look for. They are effective right after application, and usually less irritating to the skin. No worries – today’s physical sun screens go on fabulously sheer.

Many broad spectrum sunscreens use a combination of both chemical and physical prevention.

How much protection should your sunscreen offer?

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect the skin from UVB rays, the kind of radiation that causes sunburn.

SPF 30 guards against 97% of UVB rays, and SPF 50 against 98% UVB rays. However, SPF 100 does not mean 100% protection! On the contrary, to achieve a higher SPF, more chemical ingredients are needed, which may increase skin irritation. The key is to reapply every two to three hours if you are outside for a prolonged time.

The American Association of Dermatologists recommends one ounce (a shot glass) to cover the exposed areas of the body, or about half a tea spoon to cover your face. (Don’t forget your ears and lips!) While many cosmetics have a SPF included, ask yourself: are you using this much product to achieve coverage? If you use half the amount, you only get half the protection. Consider a moisturizer with sunscreen under your makeup.

Don’t rely on sunscreen alone

Sunscreen is only part of the equation to protect your skin: Avoid outdoor activity between 11:00am and 3:00pm when sun rays are strongest. Wear sunglasses, a brimmed hat (see our hat guide below!) and clothing with UPF ultraviolet protection factor. Stay skin safe and protect your investments in your skin.