So What Should I Use 30 or 100 SPF?

By: Melody Rabor-Dizon

 

Hello readers! Here comes summer and here comes the sun, the heat, the sunshine and my love-hate relationship with it. I´m hot, wait I´m cold. What should I wear knowing I´ll be hot but freezing in the office? I´ll be outside today, how much sunscreen do I need? Ahhhh – the latter question is usually where i get asked the most. How much sunscreen do i really need?

SPF or sun protection factor is a relative measure of how long a sunscreen will protect you from ultraviolet (UV) B rays. The chief cause of reddening and sunburn, UVB rays tend to damage the epidermis, skin’s outer layers, where the most common (and least dangerous) forms of skin cancer. We use sunscreen to block ultraviolet light from damaging the skin. There are however two categories of UV light — UVA and UVB — that we consider in terms of sunscreen. UVB causes sunburn, and UVA has more long-term damaging effects on the skin, like premature aging.

So here are frequently asked questions gathered from my reads:

Can I still get a sunburn after 5 p.m.?

Where there’s sunlight, there’s the potential for a burn, per Dr, Mary L. Stevenson, Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone Health. “It depends on how sensitive you are, but there’s definitely still UV radiation occurring if there’s still light.” The sun’s rays are typically strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so if you can see the sun, you could get burned, especially if you’re fair-skinned and burn easily, she says. Those dangerous hours are determined by how high the sun is in the sky, explains Dr. Susan Y. Chon, from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. They can vary depending on where you are. “After 5 p.m. in, say, Seattle, the intensity of the sun might fluctuate with the season, but in Texas it’s still blazing hot and high in the sky.” Based on your location, you may be able to safely skip a 5 p.m. sunscreen reapplication— but when in doubt, put on some more.

Can I get a sunburn on a cloudy day?

Yes, you still can because, “The UV still penetrates cloud coverage.” per Dr. Chon. There’s a chance cloudy summer days could lead to worse burns, she says. Those gray days tend to feel cooler, so you might be inclined to stay outside longer or forget to reapply sunscreen than on sunnier days when you’re so hot, you seek out shade (or at least remember to lotion up). “People get sunburned all the time on an overcast day,” she says. Even if you don’t burn on a cloudy day, UV rays are still potentially damaging and can age your skin, Dr. Stevenson says. So yes, you need sunscreen on cloudy days, on ski trips, on fall hikes—basically all year round.

Can I get a sunburn through a car or airplane window?

Maybe, most of you are like me, you tend to assume that when you’re inside, you don’t need to wear sunscreen. But does a car count? Whoever’s sitting on the sunny side for a drive certainly feels warmer. So can UV rays get you, even when you’re buckled up? Experts say, the answer has to do with the two different types of UV rays that we need to worry about: As explained earlier, UVA and UVB. UVB rays are a shorter wavelength and more closely associated with sunburns and skin cancer risk, Dr. Chon explains. The good news is that UVB rays are mostly blocked by the tint of car (or airplane) windows. UVA rays may also play a role in skin cancer risk, but they aren’t as commonly associated with burns. Instead, they’re more likely to add to discoloration and wrinkling of your skin, Dr. Chon says. Here’s the bad news: Somewhere around 10% to 50% of UVA rays can still reach you through glass. Keep in mind that front windshields aren’t tinted for visibility reasons, and that the sun may reflect off other cars around you in traffic, sending even more UV rays your way, Dr. Chon adds. And let’s not forget, if you roll the windows down, you’re losing that UVB protection. Driving has been linked to skin cancers on the left side of the body—so be mindful of how often you’re hanging that left arm out your driver’s side window too.

Is SPF 100 really any better than SPF 30?

Experts generally recommend using SPF 30 and above with what’s called “broad spectrum” protection, meaning it shields you from both UVA and UVB rays. The higher the number, the smaller the amount of UV rays that reach your skin, Dr. Stevenson explains. Yet the number may not be as crucial as you think. “I think focusing on the number after 30 is less important than focusing on using enough sunscreen and reapplying it,” she says. That’s because most of us aren’t using enough—and using a higher SPF might give you a false sense of security that you’re set for the day. But the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) reports that most people only use 25% to 50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. “We generally say a shot glass–size amount for exposed areas of skin and a teaspoon for your face and neck, then reapply every two hours and make sure you don’t miss anywhere,” Dr. Stevenson says. If you’re using enough, you’ll know, because you’ll go through a lot of sunscreen. “If one bottle is lasting you the whole summer, you are not putting on enough,” Dr. Stevenson warns.

In essence, it isn´t the number of spf on the bottle that you should be focusing and putting all your hopes on that you are covered, IT IS THE NUMBER OF TIMES YOU APPLY THE SUNSCREEN IN YOUR BODY.

Do I have to rub in spray sunscreen?

I´ve never liked them per se´as I know it misses a lot of spots and you don´t get the full on coverage we need. I was attracted to them before because of the ease of application when my kids were little little. But they burned so bad that I had to throw the remaining bottles away. Per Dr. Chon, sprays are convenient, but without a post-spray rubdown, you’re highly likely to have missed a spot or two, she says. Spray sunscreen formulas are also so fine, you may easily sweat them off before they have time to sink in, she adds. Both derms actually say they’re not huge fans of spray sunscreens because their formulations are usually chemical. Mineral-based sunscreens, on the other hand, create a physical blocker to protect your skin from the sun.

Can my eyes get sunburned?

To my surprise, my spouse returned from his eye appointment last month and was told that he had sun damage in his eye. I could only assume, it was from all the years that he was exposed to the sun and not wearing a UVB and UVA protected sunglasses. Imagine that! Just like your skin can be burned and damaged by UVA and UVB rays, the result is technically called photokeratitis, which encompasses UV damage to eyes from man-made sources like tanning beds too, not just the sun. “A wide-brimmed hat is great for skin and also protects your eyes,” Dr. Stevenson says. “And sunglasses should have UVA and UVB protection.” Luckily, even a lot of the cheap options do, Dr. Chon adds.

Can my lips get sunburned?

It’s also dangerous. “It’s very common to develop skin cancer on the lower lip,” Dr. Chon says. Be liberal with your sun-protective lip balm—the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using at least SPF 30.

Does getting a base tan prevent me from burning later?

The misconception that you need a base tan to avoid future sunburns is far from the truth, Dr. Chon says.“The base tan is your first sun damage of the summer,” she explains. “Just because you have some color doesn’t mean you cannot also sunburn on top of a tan, which happens all the time.”

How else can I prevent sun damage?

Know thyself: If you are whiter than a snow, if your Tita Loida has skin cancer, or if you are sensitive to the sun because of a medication or a medical condition, take extra measures. Stay out of the sun as much as possible, wear a hat when you are out, use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF and REAPPLY SUNSCREEN OFTEN AS OFTEN AS EVERY 2 HOURS.

Broaden your spectrum: The SPF number indicates protection only against UVB rays — many sunscreens, even those with a high SPF, allow UVA rays to be absorbed by the skin. UVA protection is usually indicated by a “broad-spectrum” label. Look for this to ensure the most well-rounded sun coverage. Here comes the sun: To be effective, sunscreen needs to be fully absorbed into the skin, so apply it 15 to 30 minutes before you even step into the sun. Reapply yourself: Whether you’re lying by the pool or mowing the lawn, you’ll probably be exposed to sweat or water, the natural enemies of sunscreen. To be safe, reapply after you swim or sweat. Full exposure: No matter how high the SPF, sunscreen can protect only the skin it covers. The most commonly missed spots are the temples, ears, back of the neck and top of the feet. If you are sometimes guilty of losing your focus while applying your lotion, try one of the sunscreens that contains disappearing colorants, so you can identify unlotioned areas before they burn to a crisp.

I hope folks, I have helped you care for yourself and your family during this hot hot season. Stay safe. Keep wearing sunscreen.

New Protection against UVA Rays

The high SPF numbers on some new sunscreens might not be that useful, but their protection against UVA rays will be. The skin absorbs UVA rays from the sun, tanning beds and sunlamps. These rays won’t give you a sunburn, but they can cause long-term skin damage. You should always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to ensure protection from both UVA and UVB rays. The latest sunscreens boast new chemicals, like Mexoryl, which has proven to be one of the most effective UVA-blockers out there.

Sources: Emedicine: Sunburn. http://www.emedicine.com/ emerg/topic798.htm Mayo Clinic: Sunburn. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ sunburn/DS00964