Shedding the Light on Sunscreen: What SPF Is Right for You?
Sun Care Q & A
- Can I combine lotions with different SPFs to increase protection?
No. Mixing an SPF 4 and SPF 15 lotion will not give you a sunblock with SPF 19. The SPF in sunblocks isn’t cumulative. The only way to get proper protection is to determine your individual level of sun protection and use a sunblock with that SPF. - When do I need to protect myself from sun exposure?
Protection from sun exposure is important year-round, not just during the summer or at the beach. The hours between 10am and 4pm during daylight savings time (9am - 3 pm during standard time) are the most hazardous for UV exposure in the continental United States.
UV radiation is the greatest during the late spring and early summer in North America. - Do sunscreens need to be reapplied during the course of a day?
You should follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding reapplication or you risk inadequate protection. Although recently developed sunscreens are more resistant to loss through sweating and getting wet than previous sunscreens, you should still reapply frequently, especially during peak sun hours, or after swimming or sweating. - Won’t using a sunblock stop me from developing a tan?
High SPF sunblock will allow you to develop a light golden glow gradually with less risk of burning and premature aging.
June 2004 — Ahhh, the sun — we bask in its warmth and enjoy the appearance of a golden glow, thinking it makes us look healthier. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Overexposure to sunlight can result in painful, sunburned, peeling and damaged skin. Over time, excessive exposure also can cause skin cancer, as well as produce wrinkles, age spots and changes in the skin’s texture.
Choose the Right Sun Protection
Everyone, even those with dark skin, needs protection from the sun. A vast array of sun care products are available today, and using the right product can help guard against the damaging effects of the sun’s rays.
First, a sunblock is stronger than a sunscreen. A sunblock contains chemicals that block the sun’s rays, and sun-screen absorbs the sun’s rays, preventing the rays from penetrating the skin. Both work well, but some products are better at protecting you from both types of ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB).
UVA rays cause aging and wrinkles, while UVB rays cause burning. Use a sunblock or sunscreen that reads “broad-spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” to protect against both types of ultraviolet rays.
SPF? What Does It Mean?
The SPF number on your sun care product stands for Sun Protection Factor. This number tells you how many times longer you can stay in the sun without burning. For example, if you normally burn in 10 minutes, and you apply a sunblock with an SPF of 15, then you can stay in the sun 15 times longer than normal without turning red. In this case, you’d be able to stay in the sun 150 minutes (15 x 10), or two and a half hours without burning.
When choosing the right SPF, you should also consider when you’ll be outside (time of the day) and your skin type.
The sun’s rays are strongest between the hours of 10am and 4pm. Fair skin doesn’t last as long in the sun without burning as dark skin does, although dark skin can still be subject to damaging rays from the sun. If you are fair or light-skinned and are sensitive to the sun, an SPF of 25 is recommended. If you have medium skin or an olive complexion, you might use an SPF 15. If you have dark skin, start with SPF 15, then adjust down to SPF 6 if you prefer.
As you increase the SPF between 30 and 50, the amount of protection increases minimally. A sunblock/sunscreen with an SPF of 50 blocks only 1 to 2 percent more rays than a sun care product with an SPF of 30.
Safe Fun in the Sun
With the right sunblock, you can still have fun in the sun this summer. Just remember that the strong summer sun can damage your skin, and that you should always use sunblock with an appropriate SPF.
If you have further questions about your skin and the sun, contact your physician. For a referral to a physician or a dermatologist, please call the Memorial Physician Referral Service at (800) 944-DOCS.