Sunscreens Demystified

Sunscreens Demystified

Are you confused about what type of sunscreen is right for you? I don’t blame you. Going to the drugstore and gazing at row after row of what seems like hundreds of choices can be mind-boggling. It almost makes us long for the days of cocoa butter and suntan oil. Well, almost, but not really. We know better of course. We want to protect ourselves from skin cancer and hold onto our younger-looking skin as long as we can.

Recently, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) released new guidelines for manufacturers of sunscreens in an attempt to protect consumers from misleading claims. For example, under the new guidelines, sunscreens labeled SPF 15 or higher are the only ones that may say they reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. Consumers must be told to apply sunscreen often to work and to limit their exposure to the sun. No longer are sunscreens allowed to call themselves waterproof, sunproof, or sunblock. And sunscreens will not be allowed to go above SPF 50 as, according to the FDA, there is no evidence that higher SPF values provide more protection.

So, the new guidelines narrow the choices down a little. But there are still a few questions many of us have:

1. What is SPF?   The sun protection factor (SPF) is a rating system that tells you how long the product will protect you, how long you can be in the sun before being burned by UVB rays. For example an SPF of 15 means it would take 15 times longer to burn than if you had no sunscreen on. You calculate the time you can be in the sun with the product on by multiplying the SPF rating by the time it usually takes you to burn without sunscreen. So, if it usually takes you 10 minutes to burn without a sunscreen and you apply an SPF 15 product, you can stay in the sun 150 minutes before burning. But these are general guidelines and do not apply to everyone or to every type of weather condition. A good general guideline is to reapply sunscreen, whatever the SPF level, every two hours.

2. What is broad spectrum?   The sun contains two major types of ultraviolet (UV) rays – ultraviolet-B (UVB) and ultraviolet-A (UVA). UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburns while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and cause more dangerous cell changes, such as wrinkles and skin cancers. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will supposedly offer you protection from both types of rays, although none offer complete protection. It is a good idea to check the label before you buy a sunscreen and make sure it does include both UVB and UVA protection. The SPF rating described earlier applies only to UVB rays. Currently there is no rating for UVA rays.

3. What is a chemical sunscreen?   Chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation. Examples are cinnamates and benzophenones, which block both UVA and UVB rays; avobenzone and ecamsule, which block UVA rays only; and PABA esters, which block UVB rays only. But chemical sunscreens is not an ideal for sensitive skin condition!

4. What is a physical sunscreen?   Physical sunscreens physically block UV radiation. The most common examples are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These block both UVA and UVB rays. The physical sunscreen is the real ideal for sensitive skin condition! As many people know, sunscreens tend to feel sticky, even when they are "oil-free." Birdie Day Spa will provide you with products that do not!

5. Are sunscreen ingredients harmful?   It depends on the type of skin you have and if you are prone to allergies. For people with oily skin, the ingredients in physical sunscreens can cause breakouts. For those with sensitive skin, some of the ingredients in chemical sunscreens can be very irritating. Many sunscreens contain a combination of chemical and physical ingredients, so you may have to experiment or ask me for some recommendations.

What’s Next on Birdie’s Blog – Stay Posted!

What to Look For in a Hat –   For the maximum sun protection, you’ll need the right type of hat. I’ll tell you what to look for and where to look for it.

How to Tan Safely -   There is no safe way to tan, but there are safe alternatives. You can still look like a bronze god or goddess without turning into a prune!