Sunscreen is available as a lotion, gel or spray and there are a wide variety of products on the market these days with a broad spectrum of SPF, or sun protection factor, from 2 to 70+.
What is Sunscreen?
It is a product that prevents the sun's ultraviolet radiation reaching the skin. Sunscreen will always have the SPF or Sun Protection Factor clearly labelled, but what does it mean?
The Sun Protection Factor or SPF of Sunscreen Explained
It is the degree of protection provided. To calculate the SPF for a particular skin type a recognised explanation is as follows:
- If it normally takes 20 minutes for unprotected skin to start turning red, then theoretically, using a product with SPF 15 will prevent the skin reddening for 15 times longer. Five hours in this case.
However, a recent survey carried out by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and cancer charity Tenovus, reported that there could be very little difference between the factors. Julie Barratt, from CIEH, in a bbc.co.uk article, ' Splash on the Sunscreen,' dated 12 September 2009, said - 'there is very little difference between factor fifteen and factor thirty and even higher, in terms of the protection they give you; use a lot and re-apply often.' Indeed, the article went on to explain that those surveyed had known less than expected about sunscreen, how to apply it and how it works.
That's not surprising really because not all products are the same. Many don't block the UVA rays and it was always thought that the higher the SPF of the sunscreen, the higher the protection, but this should only be used as a guide because a number of circumstances can alter the accuracy. They include:
- The length of exposure to the sun.
- The time of day - recommendations have been made to avoid sun exposure between 11am and 4pm.
- Geographical location, i.e the sun is strongest in those countries which are nearer the equator.
- Weather conditions - windy conditions can burn the skin even on cloudy days as the harmful UV rays penetrate cloud and it may feel cooler so sun exposure can be longer.
- The individual skin tolerance of different products.
Chemical versus Chemical-Free Sunscreens
Traditionally, sunscreens have been produced using chemicals, but concerns about the possible long term effects of some of the key ingredients, such as oxybenzone, are gathering pace. Research carried out by the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Zurich in 2001, reported that common chemicals used in sunscreen production were found to be estrogenic. That is to have a hormone-like effect on the body which can be linked to potential reproductive problems.
It's not surprising then, that people are increasingly searching for more natural forms of sun protection. Sunscreens using the chemical-free titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which act as barriers against the sun's UVA and UVB rays, are now widely avaliable.
As well as the health benefits of using these products, another advantage is that unlike chemical sunscreens that have to be applied to the skin 15 to 20 minutes before exposure to the sun, the chemical-free products start working as soon as they are applied and are generally found to be less irritating on the skin.
Whatever type of sunscreen is chosen it must clearly state on the label that it provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Sunscreen Labelling
Users should always follow the directions on the product and apply generously, including sensitive areas such as lips, ears and the top of the head if there is hair loss. Some products specifically aid skin allergies or sensitive skins and many contain insect repellent and moisturisers.
There are a wide variety of products aimed at children. These can be opaque or coloured lotions or sprays which can be a fun way of introducing children to using sunscreen and encouraging them to use it regularly.
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