Sun Protection and Sunscreen

As Spring is intensifying and the world seems to come back to life we are of course driven to head outside and take advantage of the nice weather and to have the sun hit our cheeks. I am totally for it as long as it is taken in moderation. You see a small dose of sun is good for your skin. But too much could be the precursor for first a bad sunburn but also skin problems  such as skin cancer if you abuse it too much. That's why a good sun protection routine is to your advantage.

What is sun protection? Sun protection is simply guarding a body from the adverse effects of sunlight. Aside from the hazards of heat, the sun poses the danger of sunburn, which can permanently damage the skin and cause skin cancer, precancerous changes in the skin, as well as premature wrinkling and signs of aging. Exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun is a known risk factor for the development of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Sunburns can be prevented in many ways. The best ways to avoid sunburn are to limit time in the sun, especially between peak sunlight hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m, wear protective clothing, including a broad-brimmed sun hat, a shirt with sleeves that cover the arms and a long skirt or pants with long legs, use a protective sunscreen to minimize the penetration of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you are to wear shorts stay in the shade.

With all the discussions about how the ozone layer depleting and the sun increasing its rays on us; the sunscreen market has expanded and created a vast array of selection of sunscreen products out there. Heading to the local drug store you will see many brands and strength of protection offered. At times this can be quite confusing. Which one to use? But first know what a sunscreen is. A sunscreen is any substance or material that protects the skin from UV radiation. Sunscreens are available in the forms of topical lotion, cream, ointment, gel, or spray that can be applied to the skin; a salve or stick that can be applied to the lips, nose, and eyelids; a moistener in towelettes that can be rubbed against the skin; sunglasses that protect the eyes; certain types of sun-protection clothing; and film screen that can be affixed to the windows of a car, room, or office.

Many cream and lotion are graded by SPF. SPF is an abbreviation for sun-protection factor associated with a number such as 15, 30, or 50 that indicates the degree of sunburn protection provided by sunscreens. SPF is related to the total amount of sun exposure rather than simply the length of sun exposure. It is a common mistake to assume that the duration of effectiveness of a sunscreen can be calculated simply by multiplying the SPF by the length of time it takes for him or her to suffer a burn without sunscreen, because the amount of sun exposure a person receives is dependent upon more than just the length of time spent in the sun. The amount of sun exposure depends upon a number of factors including the length of exposure, time of day, geographic location, and weather conditions.

A common mistake by many is applying too little sunscreen, which can drastically reduce the effective SPF of the product. About 1 ounce (5-6 teaspoons) of sunscreen is recommended to cover the entire body. Further, sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours when staying outdoors for a prolonged period of time. Sunscreen should also be applied at least 30 minutes before going outdoors. People with sensitive skin who burn quickly and must spend a lot of time outdoors should always apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. In a future post we will look at the good sunscreen out there in preparation for the sunny seasons. Have fun in the sun....