Everything you need to know about sunscreen
What is a sunscreen?
Sunscreen is an important part of the strategy we choose to protect ourselves from ultraviolet light, even though it is not enough for the complete protection of our skin. Used according to the instructions of health care professionals, the use of sunscreen reduces the risk of developing skin cancer and prevents its aging, including wrinkles, sagging and age spots.
Who should use sunscreen?
The use of sunscreen is suggested for women and men, adults, and children. Everyone should use sunscreen! It is important to understand that even people, who tan easily and without sunburn, should use sunscreen, because the skin, sun damage, accumulates throughout life.
What kind of sunscreen should we choose?
The best sunscreen for you is a broad-spectrum sunscreen, with SPF over 15, but above all, it is the sunscreen that you will want to use every day. There are 2 main categories of sunscreens in the market, which include mineral sunscreens, and chemical sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens block and diffuse ultraviolet rays before they penetrate our skin. Chemical sunscreens have ingredients that absorb UV rays before they damage the skin. All options are proven to be effective and safe, however compared to sunscreens with chemical protection factors those with physical protection factors are less likely to cause skin irritation.
What does SPF mean?
SPF in English means Sun Protection Factor. Every sunscreen has a certain number of protective factors. The number indicates the time it takes the UVB sunlight to tan the skin. So if someone uses an SPF 30 sunscreen as instructed, it will take them 30 times longer to burn, compared to someone who does not use sunscreen.
What protection factor should I choose?
If you stay inside most of the day and have short intervals in the sun, you can use a cosmetic product with SPF 15, or higher. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, especially when the sun is stronger, you need a sunscreen with SPF 30, or higher. It is very important to understand that regardless of SPF, reapplying every 2 hours is the key to maximum sunscreen effectiveness. It is also important to understand that sunscreen should be reapplied as soon as we sweat, or swim.
Why with a wide range of protection?
Sunscreen is considered to be broad-spectrum when it protects us from both UVA and UVB rays. In the past, most sunscreens disclosed in their label’s information only about UVB protection (rays that cause sunburn) and not UVA (rays that cause premature aging). Now that the dangers of UVA have become known, when we choose our sunscreen, we should pick a broad spectrum one.
Is sunscreen water resistant?
No type of sunscreen is water resistant. All the sunscreens can be removed from the water. Sunscreens, which are marketed as water resistant are tested to stay longer on the skin, after we swim for a long time in the water. Reapply, reapply, reapply!
When should I apply sunscreen?
Sunscreen should be applied daily. Dermatologists suggest sunscreen to be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure, to allow it to soak into the skin. Sunscreen should be applied whenever we leave the house, even when the weather is cloudy and rainy. The reason is that 80% of ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth, even when it is cloudy.
Where should I apply sunscreen?
Dermatologists suggest that sunscreen to be applied all over the body, before we get dressed, to get out. This way your skin will be protected, even if you remove your jacket, or scarf. The minimum we can do is to apply sunscreen at least on all the areas of the skin that are going to be exposed to the sun, including the neck, décolleté, ears, hands, arms, ankles, etc.
How much sunscreen should I use?
The recommended amount of sunscreen that we should apply, to get the maximum protection, that is enough to cover the whole body of an adult with average body parameters is about 30ml of product. That is as much as a cup of tea.