Making a Choice

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:

1. Type 1 and 2 chemical ingredients (PABA, salicylates, cinnamates, anthranilates, etc);
2. Titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide;
3. Benzophenones (Avobenzone); and
4. 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?

1. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure.
2. Avoid any contact with clothing after application of the sunscreen because this may remove the sunscreen film applied to the skin.
3. Use SPF 15 or higher on all exposed areas of the skin.
4. Use water-resistant or waterproof sunblock if sweating profusely and if swimming.
5. 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?