SEXY SKIN ISN'T BURNT!

SPF Which products are rightforyou?

As the April showers have turned over to May bringing flowers, outdoor life is in full swing.

Did you see what I did there?

Pool parties, BBQs, amusement parks, camping trips, cruises, and resorts are all part of the summerand sun season. It means fun, laughter, long days and nights of debauchery and sun exposure. So, so much sun exposure.

With an ever evolving climate and shifts in air quality, the need for proper skin protection is at an all time high. If you are translucent like me, you may keep a stash of SPF products stored in the likes of a Dooms Day Prepper’s basement (because the Zombie Apocalypse is no time for a sunburn) or you might be the person who is hitting up your chair neighbor at the pool for a little squirt….of sunblock. Regardless of your complexion, we all need shielding from the harmful rays the beautiful sun bestows upon us.

Picking the products that work best for you can be a bit complicated. Stores are stacked with shelf after shelf of sunblock creams, lotions, and sprays. Some claim to be waterproof, sport proof, sweat proof, atomic bomb proof. You name it, it is being offered on the bottle of these SPF. Numbers on the bottle range from 5 to 100+.

But, what does it all mean?

“SPF stands for sun protection factor, a relative measurement for the amount of time the sunscreen will protect you from ultraviolet (UV) rays.” - Encyclopedia Brittanica

There are two types of UV rays: UVB and UVA. UVB rays have a short wavelength and hit the surface of our skin. These are the rays responsible for skin reddening/sunburns and the primary rays shielded with sunblock. UVA rays feature a longer wavelength and penetrate through the top layers of skin, resulting in tanning, burns, and premature skin aging. Most sun blocks now have added UVA protection but double check when purchasing to be sure. This will typically be labeled as “broad-spectrum”. While UVB rays are stronger, UVA rays go further into your skin which can result in more damage such as skin cancer UVA is also the rays mostly commonly used in tanning beds.

Now let’s get to the numbers and what they mean. The number that accompanies the SPF on a bottle of sunblock signifies the amount of additional time it will take your skin to become red/burned by UV rays. If you are someone with a very fair complexion that burns within 10 minutes of sun exposure, an SPF of 50 would grant you 500 minutes, or a little over 8 hours, of protection. The other part of SPF to consider is the amount of UVB rays it blocks. These baselines are pulled from a perfect environment of no water, sweat, activity, sand, or movement. Realistically, you want to reapply your sunblock every 2 to 3 hours (or as recommended on the products packaging) for maximum effect.

The last option to cover in sun protection products is lotions versus sprays. Both types can be found in water-resistant formulas ranging from 5 SPF to 100+ SPF. Numerous studies over the years have found that both lotions and sprays are equally as effective. However, they MUST be applied correctly in order for them to give the same, expected level of protection. Spray sunscreens are convenient and less messy than a lotion but are typically applied incorrectly more often than the other. When using a spray, it is important to see the product on your skin. Then, be sure you distribute the product fully by rubbing it around. This will prevent missed areas and silly looking suntans and burns.

When applying to the face, it is recommended to spray onto hands and rubbing the sunscreen onto the face/ears from your fingers. Not only will this better guarantee coverage, it will prevent the spray from entering the eyes, throat, and mouth. Lotions do typically provide a bit more of a mess during application. Usually white in color, they are applied much like any body lotion. It is recommended to place the lotion into hands before applying onto body instead of squirting the lotion directly onto the area needing coverage as the latter may cause areas to be missed and the product not being evenly distributed

The biggest thing to remember is to use all products as directed. Each manufacturer may have slightly different recommendations of application and wear time due to their products’ specific performance. Regardless of your skin tone, SPF is recommended to all humans who experience exposure to the sun. Just because you can’t easily see the damage, it does not mean that it’s not happening. Here are a few more recommendations from the Skin Cancer Foundation:

Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Don’t get sunburned.

Avoid tanning, and never use UV tanning beds.

Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UVblocking sunglasses.

Use a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a waterresistant, broad- spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or excessive sweating.

Keep newborns out of the sun. Use sunscreen on babies over the age of six months.

Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.

See a dermatologist at least once a year for a professional skin exam.