Sunscreen - What Kind? How Much? What Strength?

So by now you know you need daily sun protection, right?  But which one? What ingredients?  What SPF?  I read a great article in a Spa industry magazine that answers these questions and I want to share it with you.  I'm not retyping the article, just filling in the blanks to the questions alot of people have about sunscreen. 

 

Ingredients.
The ingredients in a sunscreen determine if it's a physical sunscreen, a chemical sunscreen, or a combination of both.  What's the difference?

• Physical sunscreen reflects the UV rays, blocking them from interacting with your skin.  The ingredients to look for in a physical sunscreen are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.  If these are the ONLY 2 active ingredients, then this is a physical only sunscreen. 
• Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the UV rays.  There are numerous ingredients.  If neither of the above 2 physical ingredients are listed, then it's a chemical sunscreen. 
• Combination sunscreens work with a mix of both physical and chemical, and most sunscreens provide some sort of combination. 

Is one better or safer than the other?  Physical sunscreens are the most stable and provide the best protection.  They are also less likely to sting the eyes or cause any reactions to the skin.  Some may be concerned with chemical sunscreens penetrating the skin.  The FDA has found these are safe and effective, and the Skin Cancer Foundation found no evidence these sunscreen ingredients damage cells.  UV rays, however, DO damage cells. 

What about SPF? How much do you really need?  Dermatologists recommend nothing less than SPF 15.  SPF 30 is the standard most professionals recommend for optimum protection.  SPF 15 blocks 93% of UV rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%.  Over SPF 30, you may gain a .5% more, but don't get a false sense of security.  SPF 100 is not protecting you 3X more than SPF 30.  You still need to reapply every 2 hours (or every 90 minutes if swimming or sweating). 

Is SPF really waterproof?  No.  It can be water resistant and new FDA guidelines now specify they can't say 'waterproof' on the bottle.  You must reapply for the highest protection. 

What does Broad Spectrum mean?  This means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.  UVB rays are the ones that cause burning.  UVA rays are those that cause premature aging.  You need protection against both.  Both can cause skin cancer. 

Is tanning safe if you don't burn?  No.  No no no!  Never.  A tan is a sign of UV damage.  Your skin produces melanin to protect the cells from the UV rays.  The melanin is what causes the tan  color.  The more melanin, the more tan, the more damage to the cells.  And the artifical UV rays from tanning beds cause DNA damage.  Researchers from the National Cancer Institute blame tanning in tanning  beds for the increase in melanoma (the most dangerous type of skin cancer). 

 

Bottom line?  Wear SPF 30 every day on any exposed skin.  Reapply every 2 hours when out in the sun or water.  Find shade, wear sunglasses and a hat.  And see a dermatologist once a year to get any suspicious spots checked. 

Don't believe the sun causes damage?  Look at the picture below.  This man was a truck driver for years. Look at the difference in his face from the left side to the right side.  The left was exposed to UV rays through the side window during all his driving hours.  Dramatic, isn't it?  Going to buy sunscreen now?  I hope so! 

**Source - Practicing Safe Sun - American Spa Magazine - June 2013**