By Meredith Morgan, Lead Aesthetician
With so many sunscreens on the market, it can be confusing to the consumer as to what type of protection is best. Is the highest number the best for your skin? Even I get confused and frustrated when I see the SPFs approaching 100. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. SPF measures the amount of time you can stay in the sun without the skin turning red or burning. It is at this point, the number comes into play. Some say you have to multiply the number of SPF by the length of time you can be in the sun before burning. To do this, you need to estimate how long you think you can be in the sun without sunscreen before you skin starts turning red. For example, it you estimate you can be in the sun for 10 min, and you are using an SPF of 15, multiply these two numbers. 10 minutes x 15 SPF = 150 minutes. So that means you can resist the burn for 150 minutes with an SPF of 15.
So does the same hold true for an SPF of 100? Does that mean you can stay in the sun 1000 minutes before burning? The larger numbers give off a false sense of protection. I am sure I am not alone in admitting from personal experience that this claim is false. I’ve put my faith into that little big number one too many times to learn the harsh reality of its ineffectiveness. Many factors go into how well your sunscreen is protecting, such as ingredients used, types of blockers and depth of coverage. In my opinion, the most important is whether or not it is broad spectrum. The sun has powerful damaging UVA and UVB rays. A broad spectrum sunscreen protects against both of these rays. Currently, an SPF only has to protect against only UVB rays, which are the “burning” rays.
This is how I remember the sun’s harmful rays: A is for Aging, B is for Burning.
Who would want to keep only the burning away and allow the accumulation of wrinkles? If your SPF doesn’t state it is broad spectrum, throw it out and get a new one. Many may not be too happy to learn that the years applying the highest SPF they could find and sticking out like a sore thumb with the blinding white skin was not enough to prevent dreadful wrinkles or skin cancer, because it was only protecting the UVB rays.
How are you able to trust the claims on sunscreens to truly do what they say? Finally, there is good news. Too many sunburns and the rising number of skin cancer cases have finally led the FDA to regulate sunscreens. Taking effect in June, sunscreens will no longer exceed an SPF of 50. In addition, the FDA will no longer permit added claims like “will prevent skin cancer.” Sunscreens will have an official seal of approval once they have passed the new testing and regulations that the FDA is imposing. We can all sigh with a sign of relief knowing we won’t turn around to see that a new sunscreen has come out with an SPF of 800! Even if you wanted to look like a vintage Gucci handbag.
