With incidental or unplanned exposure accounting for over 90% of the skin’s sun damage, the daily application of a broad-spectrum SPF is an anti-ageing essential for the sunny, summer season. As the sun’s rays easily reflect off cement, water, sand and glass, not even clothes, a hat or sunglasses can provide 100% protection.
The sun emits 3 types of rays that affect skin integrity and condition: UVC, UVB and UVA. Whilst the majority of UVC rays are blocked by the ozone layer, UVB rays are associated with skin burning and destruction of the skin’s upper layers. UVA rays penetrate the deepest and are associated with fast tanning and skin cancer. Both UVB and UVA rays are responsible for the damage of DNA, collagen fibres and skin density.
Sun Protection Factor (or SPF) is a scale that measures the effectiveness of a sunscreen against the damage of UVB rays. Despite common belief, an SPF rating does not indicate the level of protection against UVA rays. For this reason, it is always important to confirm that a sunscreen product is broadspectrum. This means it delivers protection against ultra violet A, B and C rays.
Whilst most of us think that an SPF 50 delivers almost double the protection of an SPF 30, the reality is far less dramatic:
- An SPF 15 filters 95% of rays
- An SPF 30 filters 97% of rays
- An SPF 50 filters 98% of rays
The difference between an SPF 30 and SPF 50 rating is therefore only 1%. Although some countries offer SPF 100 formulas, there is no one product that can offer 100% ultra violet protection.
SPF ratings originally worked on simplistic mathematics. If the skin were to burn in 10 minutes, then the application of an SPF 15 would provide 150 minutes protection before the skin would start to burn – simply multiply 10 minutes by the SPF rating. Unfortunately UV index has too many variables based on:
- Season to season (Summer has a higher index than winter)
- Day to day (sunny days have a higher index than rainy)
- The time of day (the highest index is between 11am-2pm)
- Location of exposure (higher elevations and locations closer to the equator attract a higher index)
Such simplistic maths is not a guarantee for adequate ultra violet protection.
For an easy, foolproof solution:
- Always wear a minimum SPF30 every day
- Apply sunscreen to every exposed part of the body (face, arms, hands and legs) at least 30 minutes to exposure.
- Apply at least a 10 cent piece of product to the face, a 50 cent piece for each arm and more for each leg. Don’t forget the lips, neck, chest and ears.
- Re-apply every 2-3 hours when in direct sunlight at the beach or outside. Also re-apply after swimming.
- To avoid having to re-apply make-up, use a mineral based foundation and simply touch up throughout the day.
- Don’t forget your sunglasses, a hat and protective clothing.
Always remember, a tan is the first sign of skin destruction and breakdown.
By: Andrew R. Christie
Beauty & Skin Industry Specialist
How much damage does the sun really do to our skin?
Thomas Leveritt’s video, “How the sun sees you”, takes strangers on a street and sets them in front of an ultraviolet camera – which can see light in a way our eyes can’t. This video has gone viral and you will see why.
