Summer is here again! Swimming pools and beaches are now populated again with people who want to cool themselves from the summer heat. However, because of the increasing awareness of the sun’s harmful effects such as sunburn, wrinkles, photoaging and skin cancer, we try to protect ourselves by using sunscreens.

There are a great number of available sunscreens now in the market. Sunscreens come with low or high SPF. It has different vehicles, too such as wax stick, spray, gel, lotion and cream. Some are water-proof and some are not. Because of this, consumers find it difficult to choose which among the sunscreen they should purchase.

We now discuss some of the common questions most consumers ask about sunscreens.

Which among the available sunscreens is best for outdoor sports and swimming?

The best sunscreen for swimming and outdoor sports is water-resistant or waterproof sunscreens with high sun protection factor (SPF). It is different from ordinary sunscreens because this type of sunscreen adheres well to the skin and seeps into its outermost layer. Also, this sunscreen has high SPF value (30 or more) and contains water-insoluble chemicals to prevent it from being washed off easily upon contact with water.

Remember that waterproof sunscreen should be re-applied every 40 to 80 minutes upon immersion in chlorinated or ocean water because it can only protect the skin for that length of time.

What SPF will give me the best protection from the sun?

Different SPF gives different percent of protection from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. In Table 1, we can see the SPF with there corresponding percent of ultraviolet absorption.

It is recommended that we use SPF 15 or higher to protect our skin against sunburn, skin tanning and potential problems like skin cancer and photoaging.

What are the important ingredients that I should look for in a good sunscreen?

Sunscreens use a combination of two to six chemical ingredients. And these chemicals have different properties that contribute to its photoprotection.

There are five types of sunscreens based on the chemical ingredients. These are:

Type 1: UVB- absorbing sunscreen formulations

Type 2: UVB and UVA absorbing products

Type 3: High SPF Sunscreen products

Type 4: UVB and UVA combination plus particulate sunscreens with high SPF

Type 5: Physical or Particulate sunscreen

Among the five types, the type 4 formulation ( UVB and UVA combination plus particulate sunscreens with high SPF ) is the most effective sunscreen against UVB and UVA radiation.

Type 4 sunblock contains the following:

Type 1 and 2 chemical ingredients (PABA, salicylates, cinnamates, anthranilates, etc);

Titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide;

Benzophenones (Avobenzone); and

Enriched formulations can be made with water-resistant chemicals that protect from water immersion.

Can you give me guidelines on how to use a sunscreen?

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure.

Avoid any contact with clothing after application of the sunscreen because this may remove the sunscreen film applied to the skin.

Use SPF 15 or higher on all exposed areas of the skin.

Use water-resistant or waterproof sunblock if sweating profusely and if swimming.

Reapply sunscreens every 1 ½ hours especially if you are immersing in water or sweating profusely.

Sunscreens are protective from the damaging effects of the sun but it has its limitations. Together with it, we also need to avoid sun exposure by seeking shade whenever possible. Avoid sun between 10 am and 4 pm where the greatest sun damage occurs. Wear protective clothing (with tightly woven fabrics) and wide-brimmed hats.

Have sunburn-free summer.

DID YOU KNOW…

…. that you need to put sunscreen even on cloudy days because the cloud filters only 20% of the UV radiation of the sun?

…..that a simple white shirt has an SPF 3?

The sweltering heat and the sun’s “burning rays” are a given, especially during summer.

Thus, summer outings should not only be a one-time trip to beach resorts or swimming pools, if only we know how to “tame the sun” and thus avoid sunburns and prickly heat or bungang-araw.

To enjoy and make the most of family or office weekend outings, here are some trivia and valuable tips from the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS), the only specialty society for dermatology accredited by the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine College of Physicians .

Exposure to direct and reflected sunlight invariably causes skin damage. Sunlight produces ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which comes in two forms, A and B. The latter or UVB rays are known as the “burning rays” and are responsible for skin burns, while UVA rays penetrate deeper and are more responsible for tanning or pigmentation. Furthermore, chronic repeated exposures may cause the skin to have a wrinkled, leathery appearance and all other signs of premature aging. Both chronic exposures to UVB and UVA are risk factors for the development of skin cancer.

Thus, don’t take the sun’s rays for granted. Always protect your eyes and your skin, the PDS stressed.

Here in the Philippines and other tropical countries, the sun’s rays are harshest between 10 am and 3 pm. So, don’t expose yourself too long during this five-hour period, without any protective clothing, sunglasses, or wide-rimmed hat and sunscreen.

When doing outdoor chores such as tending the garden, preferably wear dark-colored pants and a long-sleeve shirt. Dark clothing may be hot, but it prevents the sun’s radiation from penetrating the skin. On the other hand, light-colored clothes absorb up to 80 percent of solar radiation, and reflect only 10 percent.

It is advisable to apply a broad spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB) sunscreen, preferably with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, on the skin 30 minutes before doing any outdoor activity. When going out for a swim, skin experts recommend using a waterproof sunscreen lotion, when available.

Without protection from the sun’s burning rays, the skin’s outer layer turns red and in worse cases develops blisters. After several days, the dead skin peels off. In severe exposure, one may develop sunstroke, which at times is accompanied with vomiting and fever. In worst cases, the sun-stroked patients faint.

Expectedly, the longer one stays under the sun, he or she has more chances of getting sunburns, said PDS. When longer sun exposure is expected, use sunscreens with higher SPF. However, we should not let the SPF of a sunscreen give us a false sense of security since if we stay out in the sun long enough, we will eventually burn, even with the “best” sunscreen.

For mild sunburn, you may simply apply a cold compress on the affected area. In severe cases, patients are advised to consult a dermatologist who will give medicines to reduce the swelling, pain and prevent infection.

But sunburns can be simply prevented by limiting direct exposure to the sun during the harsh 5-hour window, from 10 pm to 3 pm. And when undertaking any outdoor activity, one should apply sunscreen evenly on all exposed body parts, every two hours. When swimming, use waterproof sunscreen and re-apply after toweling off.

Definitely, summer will not be fun, wholesome and complete without the children and teenagers. And parents should accord them with special care, as their skin is soft and tender, and thus gets easily sunburned. In fact, their skin is six times more sensitive to sunrays than those of adults.

Another ordinary skin ailment, especially during hot and humid weather, is prickly heat (or bungang-araw ). The most common of which is miliaria rubra , where the pores of the sweat glands get plugged or blocked, resulting in tiny pink or red bumps and even water blisters. The bumps develop on covered parts of the skin — especially where there is friction from clothing or other paraphernalia — on the forehead (when wearing a visor), body folds, upper back and chest, and armpits.

Often, prickly heat causes irritation and itching, which can be treated with gentle cleansing of affected parts, and thereafter applied with anti-perspiration powder. Patients may also undergo hydrotherapy or take an alkaline bath, that is, soaking for at least 30 minutes to one hour in a tub filled with lukewarm water mixed with one cup of baking soda.

In severe conditions or widespread itching, patients are advised take a cool bath with cornstarch and/or oatmeal. Another method is applying on affected parts topical antipruritics or itch relievers that contain either calamine, aloe, menthol, camphor or eucalyptus oil and similar ingredients.

After an outdoor activity, immediately remove sweat-soaked clothes, and towel off. After a couple of minutes, take a cold shower or bath. Thereafter, wear loose, comfortable clothes and apply anti-perspiration powder.

Aside from sunburn and prickly heat, PDS said that we should also be cautious of bacterial and fungal infections, as these proliferate or multiply faster in warm and humid temperatures. These include athlete’s foot and ringworm and other similar infectious skin diseases.

Thus, when going to beaches and public pools, wear slippers when taking showers before and after a swim to avoid contracting skin diseases.

Further, be watchful of skin blemishes that don’t seem to heal despite medication, or moles that change in size, shape or color. These may be indications of skin cancer. And those with a family history of skin cancer should be extra vigilant, the PDS warned. It is advised that patients should immediately consult a dermatologist, who may perform a skin biopsy, which is a quick and painless procedure, to determine if the blemish or mole is cancerous or not.

Finally, to enjoy any indoor or outdoor activity this summer, the best and simplest thing to do is to observe proper hygiene, PDS noted. If possible, take a short, quick shower twice a day to cleanse away unwanted perspiration and bacteria on your body.

s sun exposure cannot be avoided, protect yourself appropriately. Put on your sunscreen, wear your favorite sunglasses, a cap or wide-brimmed hat, or better yet open your umbrella — and enjoy the rites of summer, either taking a stroll, a quick dip in the pool or enjoying a beach party.