If there’s one thing more depressing than the end of summer, it’s suffering from the effects of too much sun. Luckily, unlike the inevitability of the end of summer, the ill effects of too much sun can be prevented. Knowing about sunscreen’s different SPF strengths will help. Take a look at these tips from DCH Audi Oxnard to stay SPF savvy.
What is SPF? Quite a few sun lovers believe that SPF is an abbreviation for a multi-syllabic word containing the names of chemical compounds that only the guy you copied off of in chemistry can pronounce. That guy could tell you that SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and that it’s the universal measurement of protection against ultra violet rays from the sun.
What does SPF measure exactly? The SPF number measures how much more radiation would be required to cause a sunburn on skin protected by sunscreen than on skin not protected by sunscreen. Before you run to that guy in chemistry class, check out this example that sheds (sun)light on the explanation: An SPF 15 sunscreen protects your skin from 15 times the amount of ultraviolet rays than if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen. An SPF 10 sunscreen protects your skin from 10 times the amount of ultraviolet rays than if you weren’t wearing any sunscreen.
Can you always rely on SPF for protection against the sun? Because SPF measures the effectiveness of sunscreen as compared to unprotected skin, it is dependent on other factors as well. These factors include the time of day, geographic location, sun sensitivity, and weather conditions. Just because SPF 20 worked well at the baseball game doesn’t mean it will do an adequate job while hiking in the mountains.
Are SPF numbers proportional to protection from the sun? A logical mind might deduce that SPF 20 would offer twice the protection as SPF 10. In this case, the logical mind would be wrong. An SPF 2 sunscreen, for example, absorbs 50% of ultraviolet rays. An SPF 15 sunscreen absorbs 93% of ultraviolet rays. An SPF 34 absorbs 97% of ultraviolet rays. Now it’s time to talk to that smart guy in your chemistry class to explain why this is.
Is there an ideal sunscreen SPF? The ideal SPF depends on many factors, including individual skin type. The general recommendation from the American Melanoma Foundation is to use at least an SPF 15 sunscreen any time you’ll be out and about for 20 minutes or more.
What environmental conditions should be considered? Sand and especially snow are great reflectors of sunlight—if you don’t believe it, just ask your goggle-wearing ski buddies with raccoon eyes. 80 percent of ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds, so don’t assume you’re safe on cloudy days. And hikers beware: Ultraviolet radiation increases four percent for every 1,000 feet of elevation.
So what are you waiting for? Slap on the sunscreen and get going!
