Sunscreen Facts
Knowing some simple sunscreen facts will help you to pick the best sunscreen for your particular needs and keep you skin safe from the damaging effects of the sun. As a teenager, I can remember slathering on baby oil and basking in the sun as soon as the Minnesota weather was warm enough. For a fourteen-year-old intent on getting a gorgeous tan, the first sixty degree in April was "warm enough!"
And then along came the tanning bed. What an incredible invention! Now I could actually DO SOMETHING on those beautiful summer days other than lying out in the backyard. All my tanning time was neatly compressed into thirty minutes in the tanning bed. My, how times have changed. The reality of sun damage has been brought to the masses. Both the cosmetic damage - wrinkles, spots, leathery skin - and the threat of more serious damage - skin cancer - are reason enough to make sunscreen part of your daily ritual. This is especially true if you are spending more time working out in the great outdoors. Whether you're swimming, running, biking, or playing tennis, you need additional sun protection. Some simple sunscreen facts will help you decide which sunscreen is right for you. How does sunscreen work?Sunscreen Fact: Sunscreen works by either deflecting or absorbing UV rays. Physical sunscreens, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, creat an opaque coating on the skin that physically reflects all UV rays. Chemical sunscreens such as avobenzone, octyl methoxycinnamate and oxybenzone are typically combined together to absorb both UVA and UVB rays. A more recently developed chemical sunscreen, mexoryl, offers protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?Sunscreen Fact: UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin and cause skin aging and wrinkling. They also contribute to the development of skin cancers. UVB rays are the most dangerous ones and cause skin reddening and sunburn and play a maojr role in skin cancer development. Look for the term "Broad Spectrum" on your bottle of sunscreen - it means that you're protected from both UVA and UVB rays.Who needs to use sunscreen?Sunscreen Fact: Anyone who wants to avoid sun damage and skin cancer. Even if you tan easily, or have dark skin, UV rays can still reach deep into the layers of your skin and cause damage. Children should begin using sunscreen at an early age, as we now know that sun damage to the skin is cumulative.
When should I apply sunscreen?Sunscreen Fact: It's best to apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before heading outside, and reapply at two hour intervals. And sunscreen isn't just for summer! Even if you're in Minnesota in December and bundled up from your head to your toes, apply sunscreen to your face and any other exposed body parts.How much sunscreen do I need to apply?Sunscreen Fact: The rule of thumb is to use one ounce for the entire body. Picture a shot glass filled with sunscreen, and that's what you need to apply. Apply less than that, and you are probably not getting the full SPF protection. Remember, more is better.What are sunscreen ratings?Sunscreen Fact: SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and indicated the amount of protection from UVB rays. All sunscreens have an SPF rating, but that rating is not exactly straight-forward. Using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 means that it will take you 15 times longer to start turning red than if you did not use the sunscreen. You might then assume that a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 would allow you to remain in the sun twice as long as a sunscreen with an SPF of 15, but that's not true. SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of the sun’s UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks only a small portion more, 97 percent, and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent of UV rays.How long does sunscreen last?Sunscreen Fact: Sunscreen lasts on your body for approximately two hours. Swimming or sweating can cause sunscreen to wear off more quickly. A bootle of sunscreen should last three years, as the FDA requires all sunscreens to have a shelf life of three years. Sunscreen can degrade more quickly if the bottle is stored at high temperatures, so if you're going to the beach, throw your bottle of sunscreen in your cooler.Does mineral sunscreen (chemical free sunscreen) work?Sunscreen Fact: Mineral sunscreens are one of your best choices. In fact, many organic sunscreens use the natural minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide exclusively. Mineral sunscreens used to create a whitish cast on the skin (not great for the face!), but newer formulations leave a natural-looking finish to the skin. Read my review of Belli facial sunscreen at Truth in Aging.Sunscreen powders are also available, and are good option for applying additional sunscreen when you're at work or on the go. Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral, bareMinerals, and Jane Iredale Powder Me Dry Sunscreen are all good choices. What is a sport sunscreen?Sunscreen Fact: A sport sunscreen is typically a sunscreen that is water-resistant, which means that it retains 50% of its SPF after being submersed in agitated water. By using a sport sunscreen, you're still protected if you swim or sweat, although probably not to the extent that you might think you are.Is sunscreen bad for me?Sunscreen Fact: One chemical sunscreen that is no longer widely used is PABA, once it was discovered that PABA actually generates free radicals and damages DNA, which can lead to cancer. Avobenzone is a chemical sunscreen that is widely used and is found in popular products like Neutrogena Ultra Dry Touch Sunblock. Although avobenzone has been used in Europe for years and is typically regarded as safe, some skin specialists say that it may be harmful as well.Your best choice for a chemical sunscreen is one containing mexoryl, such as Lancome’s UV Expert or L’Oreal’s Anthelios XL. Mexoryl - which has only recently been approved by the FDA - is very stable, absorbs a broader range of UVA rays, and doesn’t cause the same free radical damage that other chemical sunscreens may cause. Sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are generally regarded as safe, although there is some questions as to whether the micronized form of these two ingredients (meaning the particles that have been crushed to the smallest size possible) may be absorbed by the body and cause cell damage. What are some of the best sunscreens?Sunscreen Fact: The best sunscreens are ones that use safe ingredients, block the majority of UV rays, and doesn't irritate your skin. I prefer sunscreens with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide because they don't sting my skin the way chemical sunscreens do. I also like a sunscreen that will hold up through my outdoor workouts and runs. Some good sunscreens to try are Lancome’s UV Expert, L’Oreal’s Anthelios XL, Abella Colorshade, and Pratima Neem Rose Face Sunscreen.More Sunscreen Facts:If you're going to spend a lot of time outside, apply sunscreen before you put your clothes on. That way, if your shorts or swimsuit rides up, you won't be exposing unprotected skin to the sun's rays.Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your ears, the top of your feet, the back of your neck (especially if you put your hair up when outside), and the part of your hair. And be sure to use a lip balm with sunscreen - lips are an increasingly popular place for skin cancer to arise. Wearing sunglasses that have 100% UV protection can help protect your eyes from sun damage. Get the kind with thick side frames - the frames help to prevent crows feet. UV rays can penetrate glass windows and are easily reflected back at you from water, snow and sand. So if you work near a window or drive a lot, make sure to use sunscreen every day. And even if you think you're safe under that big beach umbrella, think again! UV rays reflected from the sand can still cause damage. Just because it's cloudy doesn't mean that you're safe from UV rays. UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so plan your outdoor activities early or later in the day. Applying sunscreen daily to your face and hands will keep you looking younger longer. And lastly, if you use sunscreen on a daily basis, think about taking a Vitamin D supplement. Sunscreen blocks the skin from absorbing Vitamin D from the sun, which can cause a Vitamin D deficiency. It's estimated that 65% of Americans don't get enough Vitamin D. avobenzone or oxybenzone
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Summers were spent floating down the Apple River, heading to the local Minneapolis beaches, or spending long weekends up at the lake cabin (Minnesota IS the Land of 10,000 Lakes, you betcha!). Sunscreen was nowhere to be seen, and sunburns were a normal part of my summer routine.
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