Protect Yourself, Wear Sunscreen
April 7, 2015
Choosing a sunscreen is not as easy as it used to be.
The next generation of sunscreens are hitting the stores that are designed to offer fuller protection against both Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Sunscreens help shield you from the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays in two ways: some work by scattering the light and reflecting it, and others absorb the UV rays before they get to your skin.
A couple years ago, choosing a sunscreen meant looking for the highest sun protection factor (SPF). SPF rates how well the sunscreen protects one type of cancer. SPF refers to blockage of UVB only.
Research shows that UVA rays can increase the risk of skin cancer. UVA doesn’t cause sunburn, however they deeply penetrate the skin causing wrinkles. Up to 90% of skin changes associated with aging are really caused by a lifetime’s exposure to UVA rays, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The SPF rates how effective the sunscreen is in preventing sunburn caused by UVB rays. If one normally burns in ten minutes, SPF 15 multiples that by a factor of 15, meaning one could go for 150 minutes without burning.
There are a lot of sunscreen options for people. There isn’t one type of sunscreen that is the best; use sunscreen that works best for you.
Block Island Organics • Apr 8, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Thumbs up for the explanation of SPF in relation to UVB and UVA. It’s not common knowledge so we find many folks miss this.
One way to make sure you get protection from both is to choose a sunscreen labeled “Broad Spectrum” (our sunscreens are an example). This means you’ll get protection from both UVA and UVB as the Food and Drug Administration only allows sunscreens that protect against both to be labeled this way.
If you want to know more, some info here: http://www.blockislandorganics.com/Blog/post/2014/04/30/Broad-Spectrum-Sunscreen-What-It-Is-and-Why-Its-a-Must.aspx