Some burning facts about sunscreens

The long, hot summer days are here again and, sunworshipper or not, everybody seems to be hieing off to the coolest places they know. Of course, the beach is at the top of most everyone’s list. But before you go, take this hot tip: Don’t let the sun catch you without sunscreen on. Certainly, you can have fun in the sun, but make sure you’re protected. Better safe than sore. Sunscreen authority Banana Boat tells us everything we’ve always wanted to know about sunscreens but were too exhausted and dehydrated from the heat to ask:

What are UV rays and how harmful are they?

There are three types of sun rays that reach the earth: visible, the largest, consisting of 50 percent of the sunlight; infrared, the second largest, made up of 40 percent of the sunlight; and ultraviolet, the smallest, made up of 10 percent of the sunlight.

There are three types of UV rays: UVC, UVB, and UVA. UVC is filtered out by the ozone layer and never reaches the earth. UVB rays have an immediate effect on the skin, causing burning. But they stop at the upper layers of the skin and do not penetrate further. About 80 percent of all skin damage comes from UVB exposure. UVB rays can cause skin cancer. On the other hand, UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing long-term premature wrinkling and aging of the skin.

How important are sunscreens?

Most sunscreens protect against UVB and short UVA rays.

What is the difference between a sunscreen and a sunblock?

There’s no difference; they’re interchangeable.

What is SPF?

SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a measure of how strong a sunscreen is. It indicates how long a person can stay in the sun without burning, depending on the place, time, and the individual’s skin type. For instance, a SPF 15 will allow a person to stay in the sun 15 times longer than with no protection. If the person normally burns in 10 minutes, he can stay in the sun for two hours with SPF 15.

The place, time, and a person’s skin type influence radiation. Tell us more about this.

The sun’s intensity varies with the season. It is most intense in the spring, summer, and fall months as the earth is closest to the sun. It is strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. It is influenced by latitude and altitude: Its intensity increases as you move closer to the equator. The higher the altitude, the more rays there are – four percent more for every 300 meters; more in the mountains (or mountain cities like Baguio). There’s 90 percent more solar radiation on boats, snow and ice. Eighty percent of total UV is present on cloudy days. So, just because it’s cloudy doesn’t mean you’re protected from the sun.

As for skin type, Skin Type 1 people (the very fair-skinned with blonde or red hair and green or blue eyes) never tan but always burn. On the other hand, Skin Type VI people (those of African origin) turn very dark in the sun but hardly ever burn. (Filipinos must be somewhere in between.)

To go back to SPFs, what’s the highest that Banana Boat has on the local market?

The highest SPF available in a Banana Boat lotion is SPF 50 and SPF 15 in a tanning oil. Some experts claim that a SPF 15 provides all the protection one needs. Darker skinned people are covered enough by SPF 15. But people with fair skin and long sun exposure may need higher SPFs.

At what age should children begin using a SPF product?

At six months old. Under six months, a baby is simply too young to be exposed to the sun. Check with your pediatrician. After six months, a product especially designed for a baby is perfectly safe and necessary. Since 80 percent of a person’s lifetime sun damage occurs before the age of 18, using sun protection at an early age can ward off cosmetic and health problems in the future.

If I’m already sunburned, will a sunblock protect me from burning further?

Yes, using a sunblock will prevent further sunburn. It is recommended that you use the highest SPF possible. In addition, whenever possible, stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. And remember, sunlight penetrates clouds and so does 80 percent of the sun’s damaging rays.

How much sunscreen should I use at any one time?

Fifteen to 30 minutes before going out in the sun, apply a handful of sunscreen over your entire body. It takes this long for the cream/lotion to be absorbed by the skin. Most consumers do not use the proper amount of sunscreen. It is recommended that an average adult in a bathing suit use 1 oz. (the size of a golf ball) for each application. This helps ensure that you adequately cover all exposed areas.

Remember to use sunscreen on often missed spots like under the eyes, the ears, lips, shoulders, behind the knees, and on top of the feet. Also, reapply sunscreen every two hours, more often if you’re swimming or sweating. Check the label – some water-resistant formulas last only 40 minutes (waterproof formulas generally last up to 80 minutes).

Do I need suncare products only in the summer?

No, you need sunscreen all year long whenever you’re exposed to the sun – whether you’re skiing, mountain climbing, sitting near a window, or just driving.

Now, you’re all set to greet summer with a bright smile.

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