The rules about sun protection can be confusing. Learn everything you need to know, from how much and how often to apply sunscreen, as well the difference between mineral and chemical.
As we head into the scorching summer season and start spending our time off relaxing in the sun, it’s vital that we increase our usual daily sun protection and invest in quality sunscreen that offers protection, hydration and quick absorption.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UVA AND UVB RAYS?
The sun emits two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reaches our skin: UVA and UVB. UVA rays (which can reach the skin even through glass) accounts for 95% of the earth’s ultraviolet radiation and is able to penetrate the skin’s deepest layers, breaking down cell structure and leading to lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and melanoma. UVB rays are short rays that penetrate the surface of our skin, causing both sunburn and skin cancer.
WHAT'S THE IDEAL SPF PROTECTION FACTOR?
SPF stands for ‘Sun Protection Factor’ and it measures protection against UVB rays and therefore sunburn. An SPF factor indicates how long you can stay in the sun, protected, after applying sunscreen. While higher SPF factors do mean increased protection, the higher you go the smaller the difference in protection becomes. For example a sunscreen with an SPF of 30, when used as directed, prevents 97% of UVB while an SPF of 50 blocks only 98%.
WHAT DOES ‘BROAD SPECTRUM’ SUNSCREEN MEAN?
A sunscreen that boasts broad-spectrum protection combines both organic filters (which absorb, convert and release harmful UV radiation) with physical filters (which contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide and reflect UV radiation away from the skin). Essentially, broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, safeguarding your skin against sunburn, skin cancer as well as ageing.
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Images: Getty Images and supplied.
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