Beauty Friday: Sun Protection Basics.

Last week we learned a little about the importance of drinking water and staying hydrated = healthy. It was indeed a great advice for the summer, but ultimately for life. Today we are going to learn about sun protection, also another GREAT advice for the summer time and for life. Now, you might come and roll your eyes and exclaim "For life?! I live in a city where it's cloudy 80% of the day! And the rest is night!". Well my dear, sun's rays are so potent that they can go through the clouds, windows and your clothes even when you don't see it and still cause damage. So what can we do?

First things first. What are we afraid of?

The sun produces Ultaviolet (UV) radiations that reach the earth, these are invisible to our eyes. There are three kinds UVA, UVB and UVC. The first two are the one we care the most about because UVC is absorbed by the ozone layer (therefore it is so important for our health to try to stop affecting the changes on it! But that's another topic...). Anyways, we've got the UVAs which are present as long as a daylight lasts; they penetrate deep in our skin and are known to be the main cause of premature skin aging, eye damage (like cataracts), sun spots and skin cancer. UVBs are the ones in charge of the sunburn and making you red, these affect only the superficial layers of your skin.

Image from skincancer.org

In a nutshell, UVA = Aging ; UVB = Burning.

That said, what can we do about it?

Use broad spectrum sun protection, this doesn't necessarily means SPF. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, basically it's a measure to tell you how much can that product protect you from UVBs. If you have a product SPF 15 it means that if your naked face (meaning that you don't have any sun protection product) takes about 20 minutes to turn red while in the sun, the product will extend that exposure time times 15 (20mins x 15 = 300mins; 5hours). Wearing a SPF 15 product will protect you for 5 hours, assuming you don't swim or sweat during that time. 

"So, if I buy the greatest SPF number available will be the best protection and I won't have to reapply right?"

Not necessarily! An SPF 15 already filrters 93% of the UVB you're exposed to, SPF 30 blocks 97% of the rays, SPF 50 blocks 98% but none of them, not even SPF 100 gives 100% protection. Ideally, you have to reapply during the day. In a sunny day or a day at the beach, you should reapply every 2 hours or immediately after sweating profusely or swimming. 

"What protects me from UVAs?"

If the product you are buying has any of these ingredients, you are covered. 

• Avobenzone
• Ecamsule (Mexoryl)
• Zinc oxide
• Titanium dioxide

"What protects me from UVBs?"

• Octyl methoxycinnamate
• Octyl salicylate
• Octocrylene

The next two are "physical filters", meaning they block the radiation rather than absorbing it like the previous ingredients, which are called "chemical filters". There is no wrong or right here, no best or worst. The difference is in their mechanism of action and the the physical filters are responsible of the white cast you get when you apply them, specially if you have a darker skin color.

• Zinc oxide
• Titanium dioxide

Now you know your basics on how to choose your products, other measures you can take if you are really sensitive to sun are: 

• Use the highest SPF possible or ask your dermatologist about what are the best options for you.
• If you have oily skin, use a gel based one or the ones that say "oil free" or are meant to be for oily skin. 
• Avoid being exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time. 
• Avoid being on the sun between 10am - 4pm since it's when we get the most UVB radiation.
• Use sunglasses and hats while out in the sun.
• If you are high above sea level (like up in the mountains) you might need more protection, use long sleeves and long pants.

Hope this helped you clear all your questions. If you have any question, please leave them on the comments, I will do my best to answer  it.

DISCLAIMER. This article is not meant to give medical advice. Even though I am a doctor, I am NOT a specialist. At all times if you have any health concern ask your doctor and discuss what are the best options available for you and your condition. Take notice that you might be allergic to some ingredients, read your labels well if you are very sensitive to certain products. These advices are not mean to heal or to cure any existing condition but to prevent one from happening; that said, this is not 100% fail proof. The information I have posted I made sure is certain, but for the latest information out there, ask your doctor.

 

If you would like to go deeper on this topic visit http://www.skincancer.org