This is not a paid post. Products are press samples.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people have still not
got the message about staying safe in the sun. A tan is not the sign of being
healthy, it actually means that the skin has been subjected to UV damage and is
trying to protect itself. Yet,
we do need some sunshine as
it makes us feel good and also helps the body to produce vitamin D.
Using sunscreen can help prevent damage to any exposed areas
of skin but choosing one can be a minefield so here is what you need to know.
UV (ultraviolet) radiation is part of the light which
reaches the Earth. UVA and UVB rays penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere.
UVA
While UVA rays are around all year they are stronger in summer and may not only contribute to skin cancer, but can cause more ageing of the skin than UVB rays which do not infiltrate the skin as deeply. They can pass through glass. So if you are sitting by a window you need to wear sun protection, especially in the summer.
While UVA rays are around all year they are stronger in summer and may not only contribute to skin cancer, but can cause more ageing of the skin than UVB rays which do not infiltrate the skin as deeply. They can pass through glass. So if you are sitting by a window you need to wear sun protection, especially in the summer.
UVB
The main culprit for sunburn. The rays are also linked to skin cancer as well as contributing to skin ageing.
The main culprit for sunburn. The rays are also linked to skin cancer as well as contributing to skin ageing.
UVC
These rays do not penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere.
These rays do not penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere.
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| Stay safe in the sun |
Organic or non-organic sunscreens
Organic filters also known as chemical sunscreens such as
oxybenzone work like sponges absorbing UV radiation.
Non-organic, also known as physical sunscreens, reflect
UV radiation away from the skin. Titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are well known
physical sunscreens.
How to choose a sunscreen
Check the SPF “sun protection factor”. The higher the factor, the better protection. However wearing a higher SPF does not mean you can stay in the sun for longer. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) recommends a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 as a satisfactory form of sun protection in addition to protective shade and clothing.
Check the SPF “sun protection factor”. The higher the factor, the better protection. However wearing a higher SPF does not mean you can stay in the sun for longer. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) recommends a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 as a satisfactory form of sun protection in addition to protective shade and clothing.
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| Example of star system and UVA symbol |
“The stars range from 0 to 5 and indicate the percentage of
UVA radiation absorbed by the sunscreen in comparison to UVB, in other words
the ratio between the level of protection afforded by the UVA protection and
the UVB protection,” says Matt Gass, spokesman for the British Association of
Dermatologists. “Be aware that if you choose a low SPF it may still have a high
level of stars, not because it is providing lots of UVA protection, but because
the ratio between the UVA and UVB protection is about the same.”
So it is important to choose a sunscreen with both a high
UVA rating and SPF.
“A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 and a UVA rating of four or
five stars is generally considered as a good standard of sun protection in
addition to shade and clothing,” says Matt.
All sun products should also
carry the UVA logo which indicates the product is in compliance with EU
regulations: the UVA protection for each sunscreen should be at least a third
of the labelled SPF. So it is advisable to
buy a sunscreen which shows a UVA logo and four or five stars as well. Boots,
Marks & Spencer and Ambre Solaire are among the brands that adhere to the
two systems.
In some countries you may see the Japanese rating PA system.
The more symbols that you see the more UVA protection it has.
It maybe cloudy or hazy outside but that does not mean
that you do not have to protect yourself from the sun
“Sand, concrete and even grass all
reflect UV but if any of these surfaces become wet the amount reflected can
double,” says Boots UK’s Suncare Expert Clare O’Connor. “This doesn’t mean you
need to double your sun protection, but it does mean you need to think about UV
protection all the time, especially as UV can still penetrate your skin on
cloudy days and through glass.”
How to apply sunscreen
“Sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes before heading
outdoors to give sufficient time for it to be absorbed,” says Dr Justine Kluk,
Garnier Ambre Solaire Dermatologist and London Consultant. The average adult
needs a shot glass or golf ball sized amount of cream for each application
which is significantly more than the amount that most people ordinarily apply.
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| Dress for the sun |
Dress for the sun
“It is important to cover up in the sun, but to be aware
that certain fabrics provide less protection than others,” says Dr Kluk. “It is
still possible to get a sunburn through your clothing, particularly if you are
wearing light colours and fabric with a looser weave, for example linen.
“This is why UV protective clothing is preferable for the
beach or outdoor activities and sunscreen should still be applied to exposed
areas. Wearing a swimsuit at the beach is okay as long as the exposed skin is
covered adequately with sunscreen. It should be reapplied every couple of hours
at a minimum and immediately after swimming, sweating or towelling off.”
Wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses are necessities for summer.
You should also protect any exposed skin. Also your eyes need to be shielded
all year long as. The sun can damage your eyes.
One application a day sun protection products
Ignore what it says on the bottle, you have to apply it every couple of hours.
“The primary issue with once-a-day sun protectors is that they do not account for poor application and accidental removal,” says Matt.
Which? has, reportedly, found in its research that the SPF dropped over time.
Ignore what it says on the bottle, you have to apply it every couple of hours.
“The primary issue with once-a-day sun protectors is that they do not account for poor application and accidental removal,” says Matt.
Which? has, reportedly, found in its research that the SPF dropped over time.
Moisturisers with sunscreen
“A moisturiser with an SPF will help protect you against
small amounts of UV exposure, such as when you walk to the car or pop outside
to hang out the washing, but sunscreen is better suited for longer, more
deliberate UV exposure, such as spending your lunch hour outside,” says Matt.
What hours are you most at risk?
“UV rays are strongest in spring and summer so
sunscreen should be applied daily to exposed skin before leaving home from
April to September,” says Dr Kluk, “It should then be topped up every
couple of hours throughout the day until sunset. UV levels are lower in autumn
and winter, but not completely absent. So ideally, exposed skin should be protected from UV rays
all year round.
The advice from BAD is to spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm when it’s sunny in the UK. Check the BAD’s World app for other countries bad.org.uk
The advice from BAD is to spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm when it’s sunny in the UK. Check the BAD’s World app for other countries bad.org.uk
