The winter season is all gone and spring is all set to bloom. With the colourful wardrobes and bold accessories this season, the sun is ready too to outshine and show off its total potential. Be it shopping under the sun all day for a bride-to-be, or a career girl travelling in the bright sun, we all need to be protected from the catastrophic implications of the sunrays. This protection they say is best done if you swear by using Sunscreens. So here are some basics about Sunscreens, what you should know and what you should and should not do.
What is Sunscreen?
Sunscreen is a popular product available in various forms like lotions, gels and even sprays in the market. Many people consider sunscreen to be only a lotion that prevents you from getting tanned or dark from the sunrays. Sunscreens are chemical agents that stop ultraviolet radiation from reaching the skin. What remains less known is the fact that effective sunscreens protect against both UVB (Ultraviolet B or medium wave) and UVA (Ultraviolet A or long wave). UVB is said to cause sunburns, whereas, UVA penetrates deeper in the skin and causes wrinkling, sagging and premature skin aging if subjected to over-exposure. It will still not be incorrect to say that the most important purpose of sunscreen is to prevent permanent damage to the skin to avoid skin cancer.
In some cultures, especially the western cultures that are dominated by people with white skin, getting a skin tan is a popular way of protecting your skin from harmful sunrays. It is also a popular fashion idea just to add some colour to one’s skin. However, studies and researches have shown that skin tan is our body’s way of telling us that we have already had more than enough. Sunburn is another kind of skin reaction to the sunrays. Extremely fair people or white people are more prone to sunburn than sun-tan. This basically happens because of the change in melanin levels in different types of skin.
As far as answering the question, “who should use sunscreen” is concerned; the answer is “everyone”. It is recommended that from a six-month old child to the elderly, everyone must apply sunscreen before venturing out of the house. Infants up to the age of six months should not be exposed to the sun. Shade and protective clothing are the best ways to protect infants from the sun.
How to judge Sunscreens?
Sunscreens are usually judged on the basis of their Sun Protection Factor (SPF). The SPF of a sunscreen is the measurement of the effectiveness of the sunscreen. This measurement or SPF is laboratory tested. The higher the SPF, the better protection it offers against UVB. However, protection from a sunscreen varies from person to person. The basic factors apart from the SPF that determine the effectiveness of a sunscreen are:
Ø Your skin type
Ø The amount of sunscreen applied and frequency of application
Ø Activities and actions you engage in. This includes sports, bathing and travelling.
Important here is to know that common sunscreens do not block UVA as effectively as they block UVB. Many of the sunscreens available in the United States today combine several different active chemical sunscreen ingredients in order to provide broad-spectrum protection.
Effectiveness of a sunscreen can be determined by its SPF. It is believed that sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher than 15 do a good job of protecting against UVB. The SPF has different levels. The higher the SPF the better protection it offers. If it usually takes 10 minutes for your skin to start tanning or reddening, an SPF 15 sunscreen would save your skin for 10 x 15 minutes that is 2.5 hours. It is hence said that higher the SPF, the better protection it offers.
Some people think that it is better to use more than one sunscreens of almost the same SPF at the same time rather than using one with a higher SPF. The point to understand here is that SPF is not an opaque or solid protection that doubles when kept on top of each other. SPF is a chemical agent and combining two similar chemical agents would just increase the amount of sunscreen. Applying SPF 15 on top of SPF 20 does not count for SPF 35. The level of your skin protection in this case would be at a maximum of SPF 20.
It is still advisable to use a sunscreen of up to SPF 15 or 20 as it suits most skin types. If your activities require you to have a stronger sun protection, please consult a dermatologist before experimenting on your valuable skin with a higher SPF.
There are still some problems with sunscreen models just like any other cosmetic. No sunscreen, irrespective of its strength should be expected to stay effective on your skin or provide sun protection more than two hours of its first application. It is recommended to use reapply sunscreen every after two to three hours.
What type of sunscreen to choose?
The answer to this depends on your exposure to sun. However, we recommend you to find a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Many lotions, after shaves and moisturisers also have SPF 15 or greater imbibed in them. It is still suggested that if you work in the sun or travel a lot, you should opt for stronger, water resistant sunscreen.
How much sunscreen to use?
Studies and researches have shown that you should apply one ounce (almost 30 ml) of sunscreen at a time. Most sunscreens suggest for approximately the same amount to be used. In case you decide to use less amount, be aware that sun protection level for your skin will definitely be less than assured.
Another important aspect to know about sunscreen is that it should be properly absorbed in the skin before going out in the sun. We recommend you to apply sunscreen about half and hour before getting your skin exposed to sunrays. Reapplication of sunscreen is also very important and as mentioned earlier, it should be done after two to three hours of the first application and in case you go out for jogging or running, swimming or just sweat out in the sun, immediately reapply sunscreen to replace the sun protection.
Common myths about sunscreen
There are some myths about sunscreens and we would definitely like to tell you about them. Some myths are:
1. You do not need to use sunscreen if it is cloudy outside
This is incorrect. It is a widely known fact that about 40 per cent of sun’s ultraviolet radiation reaches Earth even on a cloudy day. This is the most common misconception because people feel that “sunny day” is the only time you need sunscreen and do not realise the implications of going out without a sunscreen.
2. You have received most of your sun exposure in childhood and nothing can be done now
This is a very sad thought. Scientifically speaking, this concept is more of an orthodox belief. We as human beings can be subjected to harmful effects of sunrays in childhood, youth and old age. Age has nothing to do with protection from sunrays. This is why we recommend sun protection for all age groups except for infants of up to six months as their skin is very sensitive and is not ready to tolerate any chemical agents. This is precisely why we request you to keep infants away from sunrays as far as possible.
3. Wearing sunscreen causes Vitamin D deficiency
Some dermatologists do support this idea, but in reality there is no study to support this thought. We all know that humans get Vitamin D from sunrays, but sunscreens are not made to stop this vitamin from entering your body. Another point to raise here is that there is immense Vitamin D present in our food intake like salmon, eggs, and dairy products and orange. Besides, how many of us are so fond of this one vitamin to let our skin on stake?
There are various good sunscreens available in the market. The ones we recommend are U.V. Sorb’s sunscreen gel with SPF 15. The gel stays on your skin for sometime for apply it properly and let it get absorbed in your skin. Rest assured, you will surely be happy with this product. Another of our recommendations is the Lakme Sun Expert Sun Block. An oil-free, water and sweat resistant formulation with enhanced protection from UVA and UVB radiation, this specially formulated sunscreen for Indian skin has SPF 25.
So if you dare to go bare, remember your sunscreen is your skin saviour. If you swear by using a sunscreen and reapply it as prescribed, let the sun shine the way it does and smile along. That’s it for this time girls, I hope this info makes you smile with relief and flaunt yourself confidently.
By: Radhika Raheja
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