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Sunny Smarts - Crying for sun protection?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. When you look at the sun rays, they're divided into visible and ultra-violet rays. It is the latter we seek the protection from. However, ultra-violet rays which cause damage to the skin can also be further classified into ultra-violet A and ultra-violet B. Earlier sunscreens could only protect you against UVB. Now there are many products available in the market which protect your skin from both the ultra-violet rays.

While SPF ranges from minimal of two to an indefinite level. SPF is actually the ratio of time required to the skin to redden after application of the sunscreen as opposed to the time required for the skin to redden without application of the sunscreen, exposure to sunlight being constant.

Application of the sunscreen is advised at least 15 to 20 minutes before leaving home and exposure to sunlight. It then guarantees you almost 90% protection and last nearly three to four hours. Application of the sunscreen twice a day is enough. Only few of us actually apply the required quantity of sunscreen because it often leaves us feeling sticky. Application of a product with higher SPF ensures better protection.

The other factor to keep in mind is substantialness. The sunscree shouldn't get degraded by constant sweating. For swimmers, water proof sunscreen which last nearly 3 exposures of 20 minutes each does the trick. Though cosmetic creams are most preferred, there is an option of physical sunscreens. These are not normally recommended as they are not cosmetically appealing. They contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and come in form of strips which we often see athletes wearing.

While ultra-violet B rays cause the skin to burn, it is the UVA rays which enhances skin ageing. This is accelerated when you are 30 and above. In order to combat these rays, physical sunscreens are recommended. UVA protection is not standardized. We can only advice people to look out for certain ingredients in sunscreens. Anrthralinates and Parsol 1789 are just some of the ingredients to be on the look out for.

And if you don't want to use chemicals on the screen, a good old hat, a pair of shades and an umbrella might help ward off that sizzling sun!

- by Tanya Martin

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