Learn Not to Burn . . .
Twelve Burning Questions and Answers on Sun Safety:
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Everyone. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that, regardless of skin type, a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 should be used year-round.
When Should a Sunscreen Be Used?
Sunscreens should be used every day if you are going to be in the sun for more than 20 minutes. They can be applied under makeup. Sunscreens used on a regular basis actually allow some repair of damaged skin. However, because sun exposure is responsible for vitamin D production in the skin, elderly persons who use sunscreen regularly may require vitamin D supplements. The sun’s reflective powers are great - 17 percent on sand and 80 percent on snow. Don’t reserve the use of these products only for sunny summer days. Even on a cloudy day, 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds.
PABA, or para-aminobenzoic acid, was the original compound which was the basic ingredient of sunscreens. However, it stained clothes. Today’s PABA has been refined with newer ingredients called PABA esters that rarely stain clothing. Some people are sensitive to PABA and its esters and should seek products that contain other chemicals such as benzophenones, cinnamates and salicylates. The type of sunscreen--ointments, creams, gels, lotions and wax sticks--you choose is a matter of personal choice. Most tanning oils do not contain sufficient amounts of sunscreens and usually have an SPF of less than 2. All sunscreens need to be reapplied. Water resistant sunscreen needs to be reapplied about every 2 hours or immediately after swimming or strenuous activities. Gels need to be reapplied frequently, but may be preferable for acne-prone people.
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Sunscreens are rated or classified by the strength of their SPF. The SPF numbers on the packaging can range from as low as 2 to as high as 60. These numbers refer to the product’s ability to screen or block out the sun’s burning rays. The sunscreen SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on the unprotected skin. For example, if a sunscreen is rated SPF 2 and a fair-skinned person who would normally turn red after ten minutes of exposure in the sun uses it, it would take twenty minutes of exposure for the skin to turn red. Dermatologists strongly recommend a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater year-round for all skin types.
Does SPF 30 Have Twice as Much Protection as SPF 15?
SPF protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. In higher SPFs, such as an SPF of 30, 97 percent of sunburning rays are absorbed, while an SPF of 15 indicates 93 percent absorption and an SPF of 2 equals 50 percent absorption. Recent research suggests that high SPF sunscreens are an appropriate choice for very sun sensitive individuals (skin types I and II.) More research is currently underway on the protective effects of sunscreens on different skin types.
What Is the Difference Between UVA and UVB?
Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays--UVA rays and UVB rays. The UVB rays are the sun’s burning rays (which are blocked by window glass) and are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer. UVA rays (which pass through window glass) penetrate deeper into the base layer of the skin. They also contribute to skin burning and skin cancer. Both UVA and UVB rays can suppress the immune system which helps to protect you against the development and spread of skin cancer. Since PABA, PABA esters, and cinnamates only protect against UVB light, check for products called "broad-spectrum" sunscreens that also screen UVA rays, like benzophenones, oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and Parsol 1789 (butyl methoydibenzoylmethane, also called avobenzone).
Does SPF Tell How Well a Product Blocks UVA or UVB?
The SPF number on sunscreens only reflects the product’s screening ability for UVB rays. At present, there is no FDA-approved rating system that identifies UVA protection. Scientists are working to create a standardized testing system to measure UVA protection.
How Much Sunscreen Should Be Used and How Often?
Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. When applying, coat the skin liberally. One ounce, enough to fill a shot glass, is considered the amount needed to cover exposed areas properly. Cover exposed areas completely. Lips get sunburned too, so apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen, preferably with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply sunscreen in the morning and reapply after swimming or perspiring heavily. Even so-called water resistant sunscreens may lose their effectiveness after 80 minutes in the water. They rub off as well as wash off, so if you’ve towel-dried reapply waterproof sunscreen for continued protection. Sun exposure occurs all the time, even while you’re taking a short walk on a cloudy day.
How Does Sunscreen Differ From Sunblock?
Sunscreens chemically absorb UV rays. Sunblocks physically deflect them. Sunscreen has long blocked UVB effectively and new ingredients like octylcrylene, the benzophenones and avobenzone (Parsol 1789) work to screen a variety of UVA rays. New preparations for sunblocks, such as micronized titanium dioxide, offer substantial UVA and UVB protection. Newer sunblocks are less conspicuous on the skin that the original sunblocks.
Is Sunscreen All I Need to Protect Myself From the Sun?
No. Although sunscreens are a very important part of maximum sun protection, wide brimmed hats, protective clothing and sun avoidance (between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) are also important. Current sunscreen preparations are not sufficiently protective to be used as the sole means of sun protection. They should be viewed as a back-up to primary means of sun protection such as shirts, hats and sun avoidance. A number of studies have confirmed that repeated sunburns substantially increase the risk for melanoma. This is especially true for childhood sunburns because there is more time and opportunity for subsequent sun damage to lead to fully malignant melanoma.
There is no known safe way to tan. A suntan is the skin’s response to an injury. Tanning occurs when the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin’s inner layer, which causes the skin to produce more melanin as a response to the injury. Chronic exposure to the sun results in a change in the skin’s texture causing wrinkling and age spots.
You may not immediately see the effects of overexposure to the sun. It may take up to 24 hours before the full damage is visible. The two most common types of burns are first degree burns and second degree burns. First degree sunburns cause redness and will heal, possibly with some peeling, within a few days. These can be painful and are best treated with cool baths and bland moisturizers or over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. Avoid the use of "-caine" products (such as benzocaine) which may cause sensitivity to a broad range of important chemicals. Aspirin taken orally may lessen early development of sunburn. Second degree sunburns blister and can be considered a medical emergency if a large area is affected. When a burn is severe, accompanied by a headache, chills or a fever, seek medical help right away. Be sure to protect your skin from the sun while it heals and thereafter.
