How to Select and Apply Sunscreen Correctly
Sun damage is a very real danger that results not only in looking older and losing the youthful elasticity and appearance of skin, but in skin cancer. It's important to select the proper sunscreen and apply it correctly for maximum protection. You should be using sunscreen every day and certainly every time you hit the park or beach!
How to Select and Apply Sunscreen Correctly
Difficulty: Easy
Things You’ll Need: Sunscreen!
Instructions
Step 1
When selecting sunscreen, look for a broad spectrum product that covers both UVA and UVB rays. It should have a minimum protection of 15 SPF.
Step 2
Use a water or sweat proof sunscreen if you are going to be swimming or exercising. If you are sensitive to para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), you can find many products without this ingredient. Use an oil-free product for your face if you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts. There are many good products designed especially for the face.
Step 3
More expensive is not always better. According to Consumer Reports, Banana Boat Sport (a cheaper product) is the same or better than Coppertone Sport. It might smell or feel better, but the protection is the same.
Step 4
Shake your product well to mix any settled ingredients. Be sure to use enough sunscreen to cover your body. For the cream type, a handful would be an appropriate amount.
Step 5
Apply the product to all skin exposed to the sun. Don't forget ears, backs of knees, feet, and hands. Apply thickly and thoroughly.
Step 6
Apply your product 30 minutes before you will be in the sun. Reapply whenever you return from swimming or an activity that has caused you to sweat.
Tips - Warnings
- Read expirations dates. Sunscreen breaks down over time lessening its effectiveness.
- Avoid sun exposure between 10am and 2pm, the hottest hours of the day.
- Wear protective clothing like cover-ups, sunglasses, and hats if you will have extended exposure to the sun.
- Use caution when applying near eyes.
- Use a non-stinging type of sunscreen on your face.
How to Buy The Best Sunscreen
With summer rapidly approaching, stocking up on sunscreen lotions is a necessary purchase. New evidence has found that it's not only the UVB rays from the sun that cause cancer, but, UVA rays are also dangerous. Buying and applying the correct sunscreen is crucial to your future skin health
Instructions
Step 1
Buying the best sunscreen starts with understanding the protection rating of sunscreens. The sun throws off ultraviolet (UV) light which has 2 main components: UVB light is the light than burns our skin and causes obvious damage in red sunburns. UVA light is also produced and causes deeper skin damage, resulting in wrinkled, leathery skin. Sunscreens must protect against both UVA and UVB rays (in the past, it was believed that only UVB rays were dangerous).
Step 2
Understanding the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) number of a sunscreen and knowing how long it takes you to burn without sunscreen will help select the best sunscreen to protect yourself against UVA and UVB rays. To determine how long you can remain in the sun with sunscreen, use the following formula:
- Time it takes you to burn without sunscreen x SPF factor = minutes you can probably remain in the sun.
- For example, if you know you normally burn in 10 minutes without sunscreen, selecting a sunscreen with an SPF of 8 will allow you to stay in the sun 80 minutes.
Step 3
Buy sunscreens which say 'broad spectrum' on the front. These sunscreen lotions will screen out the UVA and UVB ray from the sun. In the future, the FDA is going to step in and make sunscreen manufacturers put 2 ratings on the bottles, one for UVA and one for UVB but we're probably a few years away from this necessary consumer information.
Step 4
The FDA has asked that sunscreen manufacturers stop putting SPF numbers higher than 30 on sunscreen lotions - this is because absorption of the suns rays does not increase exponentially with a higher SPF, thereby giving us a false sense of security as we continue to absorb those damaging UVA and UVB rays. For example, an SPF of 2 gives 50% protection, SPF of 40 gives only 70%, and SPF of 80 gives 87.5% So, a higher SPF number may protect you from burning but the UVA and UVB rays are still doing damage.
Tips - Warnings
- Apply sunscreens every 2 hours and apply more than you think you need. Studies have shown we typically apply 1/2 amount recommended.
- Cover up with clothes during the hottest parts of the day.
- Look for avobenzone and oxybenzone ingredients in any sunscreen. These protect against the UVA rays.