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Sunscreen choice : Block That Sun and Still Have Fun.
Most people know about the dangers of too much sun on skin and the importance of using sunscreen on sunny, summer days. However, the many choices and levels of protection
offered in sunscreen products can leave parents confused. Understanding how protection against sun damage works can help people feel confident that they are choosing the best sunscreen for themselves and their families. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, or UV, results in skin damage. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, pose the most hazard to human skin. Tans and sunburns are caused by UVB. Powerful enough to penetrate the top layer of skin, UVB is strongest in the summer months when the earth has moved closer to the sun. In contrast, UVA penetrates deeper into the second layer of skin, and with the ability to permeate windows and thin clothing, UVA causes the most long-term harm. With proper protection, parents can minimize the damage caused by these types of UV rays.
With varying degrees of protection against sun, sunscreens are most effective against UVB. Its SPF, sunburn protection factor, estimates how a product can shield the skin’s epidermis, the thin top layer, from a burn caused by UVB. A sunscreen’s SPF can be misleading because it does not necessarily refer to the overall strength of the barrier, or to the length of time the product is effective for all wearers. An SPF’s effectiveness depends on the strength of the solar rays, the length of exposure time, the amount of product used relative to a specific wearer’s skin tone. Depending on the time of day, an SPF provides different levels of protection to different people. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, when applied correctly, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher can provide sufficient protection against sunburns caused by UVB.
Now understood to be a factor in skin cancer, UVA effects have only recently been addressed by manufacturers of sun protection products. Passing through the top layer of skin and saturating the dermis, destructive UVA rays promote the signs of aging by damaging the elastin and collagen that are necessary for resilient, healthy skin cells. Although not yet fully understood by scientists, UVA have been proven to cause dryness and wrinkling of the skin. In addition, UVA damage can result in unhealthy, leathery skin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests using a best sunscreen product with “broad spectrum” protection, which means protection against both UVB and UVA.
You need to know the best ways to protect delicate skin from the hazards of sun exposure. They should choose sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher that also indicate protection against UVA. When applying sunscreen, amount matters. A typical adult needs at least 1 ounce to cover exposed areas. Most children will need less protection, but parents should still apply it generously. To be sure the chemical agents are given time to work, sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to be most effective. In addition, it will need to be reapplied every 2 hours. After swimming or heavy sweating, more frequent applications are necessary. Shade, but not cloud cover, can offer necessary protection on a sunny day, especially if children are exposed to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the most powerful. Wearing hats and clothing that covers skin can also provide needed protection as children play outdoors.
With a better understanding of the dangers of sun and the types of natural sunscreens available, you can make yourself informed purchases and feel confident that they are providing the best protection against sun damage.
Read more articles about Skin Care
Most people know about the dangers of too much sun on skin and the importance of using sunscreen on sunny, summer days. However, the many choices and levels of protection offered in sunscreen products can leave parents confused. Understanding how protection against sun damage works can help people feel confident that they are choosing the best sunscreen for themselves and their families. Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, or UV, results in skin damage. Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, pose the most hazard to human skin. Tans and sunburns are caused by UVB. Powerful enough to penetrate the top layer of skin, UVB is strongest in the summer months when the earth has moved closer to the sun. In contrast, UVA penetrates deeper into the second layer of skin, and with the ability to permeate windows and thin clothing, UVA causes the most long-term harm. With proper protection, parents can minimize the damage caused by these types of UV rays.
With varying degrees of protection against sun, sunscreens are most effective against UVB. Its SPF, sunburn protection factor, estimates how a product can shield the skin’s epidermis, the thin top layer, from a burn caused by UVB. A sunscreen’s SPF can be misleading because it does not necessarily refer to the overall strength of the barrier, or to the length of time the product is effective for all wearers. An SPF’s effectiveness depends on the strength of the solar rays, the length of exposure time, the amount of product used relative to a specific wearer’s skin tone. Depending on the time of day, an SPF provides different levels of protection to different people. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, when applied correctly, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher can provide sufficient protection against sunburns caused by UVB.
Now understood to be a factor in skin cancer, UVA effects have only recently been addressed by manufacturers of sun protection products. Passing through the top layer of skin and saturating the dermis, destructive UVA rays promote the signs of aging by damaging the elastin and collagen that are necessary for resilient, healthy skin cells. Although not yet fully understood by scientists, UVA have been proven to cause dryness and wrinkling of the skin. In addition, UVA damage can result in unhealthy, leathery skin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggests using a best sunscreen product with “broad spectrum” protection, which means protection against both UVB and UVA.
You need to know the best ways to protect delicate skin from the hazards of sun exposure. They should choose sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher that also indicate protection against UVA. When applying sunscreen, amount matters. A typical adult needs at least 1 ounce to cover exposed areas. Most children will need less protection, but parents should still apply it generously. To be sure the chemical agents are given time to work, sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to be most effective. In addition, it will need to be reapplied every 2 hours. After swimming or heavy sweating, more frequent applications are necessary. Shade, but not cloud cover, can offer necessary protection on a sunny day, especially if children are exposed to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the most powerful. Wearing hats and clothing that covers skin can also provide needed protection as children play outdoors.
With a better understanding of the dangers of sun and the types of natural sunscreens available, you can make yourself informed purchases and feel confident that they are providing the best protection against sun damage.
Read more articles about Skin Care
