LIVE WELL
How to Stay Safe in the Florida Sunshine Broad Spectrum and UVA and UVB Rays Broad spectrum sunscreen will protect you from ultraviolet A (UVA) rays which have aging effects like wrinkles, and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays which result in sunburns. Ultimately, both are harmful and can result in Florida’s nickname as the skin cancer. Broad spectrum Sunshine State is well-deprovides protection against served. While our state has an average of 237 sunny days UVA and UVB by creating a barrier that absorbs or per year—beating out the national average of 205—de- reflects the rays before they have a chance to damage pending on where exactly you live, that number can be your skin. Even if you’re outside on a cloudy day, keep closer to 270 days, totaling up to an extra month of sun- in mind UV rays can still affect you. UVA rays can go shine. While it can feel great through clouds and beneath to soak up all this sun, it’s critical that everyone protects the surface of the water, and UVB rays can also damage themselves properly from your skin even in the fall and harmful rays by using sunwinter months. screen. Sunscreen can help prevent a variety of minor Understanding SPF and major ailments from SPF is the FDA’s way of age spots and premature wrinkles to painful sunburns putting numeric value to a sunscreen’s “sunburn proand skin cancer. However, tection factor.” While you there are seemingly endless may already know a higher options to choose from, and trying to figure out what you SPF number leads to more sun protection, you may not need can be overwhelming! know that SPF only indicates Check out the information a sunscreen’s protection level below to learn more about against UVB rays as a dechoosing the right type of fault. However, sunscreens sunscreen for your needs.
that pass the broad spectrum test can also provide UVA protection. Simply look for a note that says “Broad Spectrum SPF [value]”on the label. Unfortunately, no sunscreen can filter out 100% of UVB rays. While fair-skinned people naturally need a higher SPF, everyone should consider additional protection methods like sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, breathable long sleeve shirts, and sitting in shady areas. Chemical vs. Physical and When to Reapply As mentioned before, sunscreen protects your skin by either absorbing (chemical) or deflecting (physical) UV rays.
Additional Factors to Consider • The American Academy of Dermatology recommends avoiding using sunscreen babies who are younger than 6 months. If they’re 6 months or older, look for a sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which is better for sensitive baby skin. • According to the FDA, sunscreen should never be left out in direct sunlight. Avoid damaging your sunscreen by keeping it in a cool area, or wrapped up in a towel for some shade at minimum.
• Similar to water-resistant sunscreen, sunscreen labeled “Sport” should be reapplied Chemical sunscreens are usu- every 40–80 minutes. ally thinner consistency so it • The American Academy spreads more easily on the of Dermatology also sugskin, therefore less product gests avoiding sunscreen is needed overall. However, you must wait 20 minutes for with insect repellent. That’s because while sunscreen it to become effective, it can should be applied frequently, also be troublesome for people with sensitive skin (espe- ingredients in insect repellent should only be used sparingcially the higher the SPF is). ly. Physical sunscreens are • The FDA requires all sunnaturally broad spectrum screens to come with an and will offer immediate protection with a longer shelf expiration date, so be sure to check the date on your bottle life. Frequent and thorough or tube to ensure you’re getapplication is needed more ting maximum protection. often, though, as they can wipe off easier in water or after sweating. For people with American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). darker complexions, some How to Decode Sunscreen types can also leave a white Labels. AAD.org. https://www. film or cast. aad.org/public/everyday-care/ Both types have different ac- sun-protection/sunscreen/untive ingredients which can be derstand-sunscreen-labels absorbed into your body, so Holman, T. (2016, August it’s important to review the 10). Can You Get a Sunburn ingredients before applying. on a Cloudy Day? And OthFor instance, if a label says er Less-Obvious Sun Safety “for sensitive skin,” it often Scenarios. DignityHealth.org. means that the sunscreen https://www.dignityhealth.org/ won’t have some active inarticles/can-you-get-a-sunburngredients found in chemical on-a-cloudy-day-and-other-lesssunscreens that are more obvious-sun-safety-scenarios likely to irritate skin. Once you put on sunscreen, it’ll only last so long against UV rays, sweat, and water. Be sure you’re reapplying sunscreen every two hours at least, especially after you towel off or have been in the water. Remember, there’s no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen, and UVA rays can still affect you while you’re splashing around. If you’re using water-resistant sunscreen, reapply every 40–80 minutes.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2010, August 29). Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun. FDA. gov. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/ understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-howhelp-protect-your-skin-sun Winkler, V. (2015, October 12). These 10 Cities In Florida Have The Best Weather In The Entire State. OnlyInYourState.com. https://www.onlyinyourstate. com/florida/best-weather-fl/
