What you Need to Know About Sunscreen!

Posted 07-14-2009 12:03 am by

Protecting your skin from the sun’s harsh rays seems to be a popular subject these days. Stores of all sorts along with the publications and media outlets everywhere are putting out the same message - protect your skin and wear sunscreen.

Everyone knows that they should be wearing sunscreen, but when you go to look at the racks of it, how do you know which sun block is appropriate for you or your activities and the biggest question of all, is there any real difference between the different SPF’s?

Who?
Everyone should wear sunscreen, regardless of skin type, race, or age. A minimum SPF of 15 is encouraged for all people whenever in the sun.

SPF, what is it?
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a numerical amount placed on each type of sunscreen, determining its rate of absorbing the UV rays by the Sun. Theoretically, a person wearing SPF 15 will take 15 times longer to burn than one wearing no sunscreen.  SPF’s range from about 2 (in tanning oils usually) to 70 (or sometimes greater).  The higher the SPF number, the more protection it is supposed to provide, but any sun block with an SPF of over 30 is only proven to provide small benefits, nothing substantially different from the protection given by an SPF 30.

Lotion, spray, gel?
Though there are a plethora of types of sunscreens available, they all seem to work well, especially when used for what they are intended, for example, the spray sun block is typically waterproof and for sport use (sweat proof as well), this type of sun block obviously works just as well as a lotion or gel when just at the beach not in the water or running around, however, a lotion or gel that is not recommended for sport use would not work as well for someone playing sports or swimming as a sunscreen intended for that use.  Also, when choosing a sunscreen, especially for your face, you should find one that works with your skin.

Does it expire?
The FDA states that sunscreen is supposed to be good for about 3 years, however, if you use the sunscreen properly and whenever in the sun, a bottle shouldn’t last you any more than a few months at the most.

Remember to stay safe in the summer sun and to contact us today for all of your online medical consultation needs, medical questions, health tips, and more!

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