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What Is SPF and How Should We Choose a Sunscreen?

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sun screen under UV light

Sun lotion can make a lot of difference when the skin is exposed to UVB radiation.

Summer is here, and the beaches are starting to fill. Along the first layers of clothes that were shed, doctors started reminding people not to forget to use sunscreen when they exit their house. The various brands of sunscreens on the market make it difficult for people to choose between brands, SPF degree, and other such features. However, the question remains, what is SPF and how should we choose a sunscreen?

What is SPF?

SPF is the abbreviation for “Sun Protection Factor.” In order to better understand what the acronym stands for it is important to know the scientific process that determines the various SPF degrees of a cream.

When a sunscreen is developed, researchers put some of the lotion on a skin sample and then expose it to ultraviolet radiation (UV). The amount of UV needed to burn the treated skin as opposed to that needed to burn a blank piece of tissue determines the SPF factor.

In other words, if your skin usually reddens after spending roughly 15 minutes in the sun, then a sun lotion with 15 SPF will help you resist the UVs for fifteen times more time. Mathematically, an SPF 15 lotion can protect you for five hours. However, sweating, swimming, and the ever increasing amount of dangerous ultra-violets makes it compulsory to re-apply the cream after two hours.

What is the difference between SPF 15, 30, 50, and 70?

The numbers show not only the amount of time you can safely spend in the sun but also the degree of protection against the entire UV spectrum.

SPF 15 is the most basic cream. It protects the users from approximately 93 percent of ultraviolet rays. SPF 30 can be used to block 97 percent of all rays, SPF 50 is useful against 98 percent of UV rays, and SPF 70 is effective for more than 99 percent of harmful UV rays.

How Should We Choose a Sunscreen?

When selecting a sunscreen, you must bear in mind the type of skin you and your family have. For children, doctors recommend a sun lotion with an SPF factor of 50 and higher.

However, the best way to approach this dilemma is by consulting with a dermatologist. A doctor is the most qualified person to recommend such a product for a safe use.

In conclusion, what is SPF? The number after the acronym designates both the amount of time you can spend in the sun after applying the lotion and the amount of protection against UV rays that the sunscreen offers.

Image source: Wikipedia

Sunscreen Saves You From Cancer

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Sunscreen Saves You From Cancer

Sunscreen Saves You From Cancer

 

It is a known fact that sunscreen saves you from cancer and skin cancer is one of the most dangerous cancer types out there and the most commonly met. The number of affected people are rapidly growing, and in the time span of a year almost 3.5 million new cases get diagnosed.

The American Cancer Society informs us that exposure to sun without wearing any sunscreen is still the biggest cause for the contraction of this disease, and even though a lot of campaign were made with regard to fighting off skin cancer, people are still not taking this issue as seriously as they should.

Apart from the appearance of a melanoma, people encounter other risks as well, such as the early aging of skin, the appearance of dark blemishes, low levels of vitamins, such as vitamin D and some other subtle chemical imbalances whose effect will become obvious later in life.

People don’t always know what is right for them, and most of the time they choose a SPF factor that does not suit them, a much too lower one, especially people with fair skin. Scientists believe that not even a high SPF number is sufficient to go to the beach with no worries. What people need to find on the label is that the product will also protect them against UV A and UV B rays.

However, dermatologists have agreed that a product ranging in between 30-50 SPF is usually the best one and doctor Walt Sims from Skin Solutions Columbia underlined the fact the the product must necessarily contain zinc and titanium in order to be efficient. As a consequence, sun oil and similar products are quite inefficient at all. Moreover, the doctor suggests wearing sunscreen not only when going to the beach, but also when one is about to spend a lot of hours out in the sun.

Although people have been instructed so many times regarding the dangers of sun exposure, more and more people reach the hospitals each summer with serious cases of sunburn.

Image source: thestandardaily.com

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