by Maria Teresa L. Ungson
SUMMER is really a good season…lots of sun equates to lots of produce, fruits, outings and fun! It’s great to be basking in the early sun, walking along the shore or even just outside your door. However, too much sun equates to skin damage as well. So, it would be best to put on a sunblock before leaving your home.
If you’ve shopped for sunscreen lately, you have probably noticed the proliferation of products with ever-higher sun protection factor (SPF) ratings. Just a few years ago, it was hard to find a sunscreen claiming an SPF higher than 45. These days, the shelves are lined with products from companies such as Banana Boat, Coppertone, and Aveeno claiming SPF ratings of 70+, 80, and 90+. Neutrogena recently introduced Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 100+. But come to think of it, is a 100+ or a 90+ sunscreen really that much better than one with an SPF of 15?
SPF refers to the ability of a sunscreen to block ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause sunburns, but not UVA rays, which are more closely linked to deeper skin damage. Both UVA and UVB contribute to the risk of skin cancer. It is a measure of the time it would take an individual to burn in the sun if they were not wearing sunscreen vs. the time it would take with sunscreen on.
According to experts, SPF 15 product blocks about 94% of UVB rays, SPF 30 product blocks 97% of UVB rays, and an SPF 45 product blocks about 98% of rays. Sunscreens with higher SPF ratings block slightly more UVB rays, but none offers 100% protection. For some experts, 15 sunscreens are fine if used correctly, but they recommend SPF 30 products to patients because few people apply sunscreens as heavily or as often as they should.
Farah Ahmed, who is general council for the cosmetics industry group Personal Care Products Council, concedes that the difference in sunburn protection between the medium- and high-SPF sunscreens is not great. But she says the high SPF products may better protect against long-term skin damage and exposure-related skin cancers.
In a written statement, Neutrogena notes that because most people use far less sunscreen than is recommended, high SPF sunscreens can offer better protection. “Higher SPFs used over a lifetime may translate to healthier skin in later life,” the statement reads. “While the difference in the percentage of ultraviolet radiation blocked between an SPF 55 and SPF 100+ may be slightly less than 1%, applying an SPF 100 may lead to much less cumulative sun damage over a lifetime.”
Finding a sunscreen that adequately protects against UVA rays is much trickier, but every bit as important. UVA radiation reaches deeper into the skin and contributes to wrinkles and skin cancer risk. Nearly all (95%) of the UV radiation that we are exposed to is UVA radiation.
Many of the high SPF sunscreens use chemical filters to block UVA rays, which may offer only marginal protection. That’s because avobenzone or Parsol 1789 and Mexoryl, two UVA filters, break down quickly and lose effectiveness in the sun unless stabilized. The stabilization process is difficult and few companies have been able to prove that they can do it.
However, research has revealed that helioplex is a stabilizer that has been proven to keep avobenzone from breaking down. It is also recommended to choose sunscreens that have Mexoryl as the active UVA-blocking ingredient.
Other experts prefer barrier-type sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium to chemical ones, but these are not that popular among patients and consumers since they don’t usually like the over-the-counter versions because they tend to be thick, pasty, and opaque.
Thus, one can resort to medical-grade sunscreens with micronized zinc formulations that are less heavy and chalky like SkinCeuticals sunblocks with SPF 30, which contain high concentrations of micronized zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide, and Obagi sunscreens with SPF 30 and micronized zinc for all skin types.
Experts all agree that even the best sunscreens need to be used properly to work. The best way to make sure you are protected is to reapply sunscreen often. You just can’t put it on in the morning and forget about it. Even if it is an SPF 800 or the best UVA protection, after a few hours it’s gone.
Whatever product you choose, experts recommend using a water-resistant sunscreen applied liberally, a half hour before going outdoors. Sunscreen should be reapplied at least every two hours or after swimming, drying off, or sweating.
Enjoy the sun because it’s truly warm and bright and beautiful! But remember to put on sunscreen before you do so you can stay longer under the sun, protected.
