HOW EFFECTIVE IS SUNSCREEN?

Sunscreen is used to protect the skin from the suns harmful UVB rays. What is in sunscreen that saves our skin?

SPF is a measure of a sunscreens protection from UV radiation.

SPF stands for sun protection factor. Higher SPF means more protection from UV radiation.

Too much SPF isn't the best for your skin either. Studies have shown SPF higher than 50 isn't safe to use every day. This can cause skin lesions or tumors.

Products with a higher SPF allow fewer of the photons (unit of intensity of light) that produce sunburn to strike skin.

SPF explained:
A sunscreen with an SPF of 10 is allowing 10 out of every 100 protons to reach the skin.

Recommended by the skin cancer foundation, SPF 30 is recommended for daily use. Out door activity like sports was recommended 50 SPF with water resistance.

PRODUCTS IN SUNSCREEN THAT PROTECT

• Zinc oxide
• Avobenzone
• Titanium dioxide

An effective amount of sunscreen is about 3 tablespoons or 1.4 oz.

For sunscreen to be effective, you must apply it 30 mins before you go out side and every two hours you are outside.

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Statistics:
- 90% of the nations 3.5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year are caused by exposure to the suns UV radiation.

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- 90% of visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by sun exposure.

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RESOURCES

• Epa.gov
• Mskcc.org
• Loc.gov
• Scientificamerican.com
• New York Times

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• Time magazine
• Skincancer.org