Sunscreens are products combining several ingredients that help prevent the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, damage the skin, age it prematurely, and increase your risk of skin cancer.
UVB is the chief culprit behind sunburn, while UVA rays, which
penetrate the skin more deeply, are associated with wrinkling; leathering,
sagging, and other light-induced effects of aging. They also exacerbate the
carcinogenic effects of UVB rays, and increasingly are being seen as a cause of
skin cancer on their own. Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against
UVA and UVB.
Most
sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher do an excellent job of protecting
against UVB. SPF — or Sun Protection Factor — is a measure of a sunscreen's
ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. Here's how it works: If it takes
20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15
sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer — about five hours.
Another
way to look at it is in terms of percentages: SPF 15 filters out approximately
93 percent of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 keeps out 97 percent and SPF 50
keeps out 98 percent. They may seem like negligible differences, but if you are
light-sensitive, or have a history of skin cancer, those extra percentages will
make a difference. And as you can see, no sunscreen can block all UV rays.
But
there are problems with the SPF model: First, no sunscreen, regardless of
strength, should be expected to stay effective longer than two hours without
reapplication. Second, "reddening" of the skin is a reaction to UVB
rays alone and tells you little about what UVA damage you may be getting.
Plenty of damage can be done without the red flag of sunburn being raised.
Anyone
over the age of six months should use a sunscreen daily. Even those who work
inside are exposed to ultraviolet radiation for brief periods throughout the
day, especially if they work near windows, which generally filter out UVB but
not UVA rays.
Children
under the age of six months should not be exposed to the sun, since their skin
is highly sensitive to the chemical ingredients in sunscreen as well as to the
sun's rays. Shade and protective clothing are the best ways to protect infants
from the sun.
The
answer depends on how much sun exposure you're anticipating. In all cases we
recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen offering protection against both UVA and
UVB rays.
Many
after-shave lotions and moisturizers have a sunscreen (usually SPF 15 or
greater) already in them, and this is sufficient for everyday activities with a
few minutes here and there in the sun. However, if you work outside or spend a
lot of time outdoors, you need stronger, water-resistant, beachwear-type
sunscreen that holds together on your skin. The "water resistant" and
"very water resistant" types are also good for hot days or while
playing sports, because they're less likely to drip into your eyes when you
sweat. However, these sunscreens may not be as good for everyday wear. They are
stickier, don't go as well with makeup, and need to be reapplied every two
hours.
Many of the sunscreens available in today combine several
different active chemical and physical sunscreen ingredients in order to
provide broad-spectrum protection. Usually, at least three active ingredients
are called for. These generally include PABA derivatives, salicylates, and/or
cinnamates (octylmethoxycinnamate and cinoxate) for UVB absorption;
benzophenones (such as oxybenzone and sulisobenzone) for shorter-wavelength UVA
protection; and avobenzone, ecamsule (MexorylTM), titanium
dioxide, or zinc oxide for the remaining UVA spectrum.
To
ensure that you get the full SPF of a sunscreen, you need to apply 1 oz – about
a shot glass full. Studies show that most people apply only half to a quarter
of that amount, which means the actual SPF they have on their body is lower
than advertised. During a long day at the beach, one person should use around
one half to one quarter of an 8 oz. bottle. Sunscreens should be applied 30
minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin.
Reapplication of sunscreen is just as important as putting it on in the first
place, so reapply the same amount every two hours. Sunscreens should also be
reapplied immediately after swimming, toweling off, or sweating a great deal.
Myths
About Sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen can cause vitamin D deficiency.
There is some controversy regarding this issue, but few dermatologists believe (and no studies have shown) that sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency. Also, vitamin D is available in dietary supplements and foods such as salmon and eggs, as well as enriched milk and orange juice.
There is some controversy regarding this issue, but few dermatologists believe (and no studies have shown) that sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency. Also, vitamin D is available in dietary supplements and foods such as salmon and eggs, as well as enriched milk and orange juice.
If it's cold or cloudy outside, you don't need sunscreen.
This is not true. Up to 40 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day. This misperception often leads to the most serious sunburns, because people spend all day outdoors with no protection from the sun.
This is not true. Up to 40 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day. This misperception often leads to the most serious sunburns, because people spend all day outdoors with no protection from the sun.
Eighty percent of your sun exposure comes as a child, so it's too
late to do anything now.
It appears that this universally promoted idea was based largely on a misinterpretation. A recent multi-center study showed that we get less than 25 percent of our total sun exposure by age 18. In fact, it is men over the age of 40 who spend the most time outdoors, and get the highest annual doses of UV rays. And since adults are living longer and spending more leisure time outdoors, preventing ongoing skin damage will continue to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
It appears that this universally promoted idea was based largely on a misinterpretation. A recent multi-center study showed that we get less than 25 percent of our total sun exposure by age 18. In fact, it is men over the age of 40 who spend the most time outdoors, and get the highest annual doses of UV rays. And since adults are living longer and spending more leisure time outdoors, preventing ongoing skin damage will continue to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
Buy a high-quality product with an SPF of 15 or higher; check
its ingredients to make sure it offers broad-spectrum protection; and decide
whether it works better for everyday incidental use or extended outdoor use.
Finally, look for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendations, which guarantees that a sunscreen product meets the highest
standards for safety and effectiveness. Once you choose the right sunscreen,
use it the right way. But remember, you should not rely on sunscreen alone to
protect your skin against UV rays; it is just one vital part of a complete sun
protection program, that can help you lower your risk of developing skin cancer,
while helping your skin look younger, longer.
PREVENTION
GUIDELINES
Since its inception in 1979, The
Skin Cancer Foundation has always recommended using a sunscreen with an SPF 15
or higher as one important part of a complete sun protection regimen. Sunscreen
alone is not enough, however. Read our full list of skin cancer prevention tips
and share them with your friends and family.
Seek the shade, especially between 10 AM and 4 PM.
·
Do not
burn.
·
Avoid
tanning and UV tanning booths.
·
Cover up with clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and
UV-blocking sunglasses.
·
Use a
broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with
an SPF of 15 or higher every day. For extended outdoor activity, use a
water-resistant, 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 immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.
·
Keep
newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens
should be used on babies over the age of six months.
·
Examine
your skin head-to-toe every month.
·
See your
physician every year for a professional skin exam.
Brands Currently in the Seal of
Recommendation Program
The Skin Cancer Foundation
grants its Seal of Recommendation to products that meet the Foundation’s
criteria for safe and effective UV sun protection.
U.S.
Alba Botanica
AVEENO
Avon
Banana Boat
Bare Escentuals
Cetaphil
Clarins
Colorescience Pro
Coppertone
DDF
Eau Thermale Avene
Elizabeth Arden
Eucerin
Hawaiian Tropic
jane iredale
Jergens
Lancôme
La Roche-Posay
L’Oréal Paris
Dermo-Expertise
Mary Kay
md formulations
MD Forte/Allergan
Skin Care
MDSolarSciences
Neutrogena
NIA24
NO-AD
Obagi Medical
Products
Ocean Potion
Olay
Ole Henriksen
Paula’s Choice
PCA SKIN
Physicians Formula
Priori
Rite Aid
Rodan + Fields
Serious Skin Care
Shiseido Cosmetics
SkinMedica
StriVectin
Sun Bum
Target Up & Up
Walgreens
Yes To, Inc.
ZO Medical
INTERNATIONAL
Avon
Banana Boat
Bare Escentuals
Bel Star
Dr. Fischer
Eau Thermale Avene
Elizabeth Arden
Hawaiian Tropic
jane iredale
Mary Kay
Obagi Medical
Products
Olay
Skingard
Sunwork
Umbrella
Yanbal (or Unique)
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