The ABCs of SPFs

What are you putting on for protection?

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Not all SPF is the same.  The numbers can be quite confusing and give a false “burn prevention” security.

An SPF of 15 protects from 93% of the UVB rays (burning rays) and SPF 30 and SPF 60 protects from 97% and 98% respectively. 

These have little if any protection against the UVA rays which are known to penetrate deeper and lead to premature aging. 

Also, the higher the SPF, the more chemicals are needed which ultimately could be harmful to your health and you are increasing your coverage by only a small percentage.

The FDA is not allowing any waterproof labels.  Now products will be labeled with “sweat and water resistant”.  Despite the products not changing, these give about an hour protection.  Then they must be reapplied.  And to get initial protection they need to be applied 20-30 minutes before the activity. They need to dry on the skin in order to be able to offer their protection.

I personally recommend and look for brands with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the main ingredient. These are physical blocks that typically deflect or scatter the rays.  

Chemical sunscreen ingredients are often added to get broader protection to a physical based sun block.  I personally do not like total chemical sunscreens.  Ultimately, they are all chemicals.  I think spray/aeresoal sunscreen should be banned!  Personally, I gag when people use them around me.  Imagine what a child is inhaling we you are spraying them.  They are getting chemical sunscreen in there little lungs!  I suggest the rash guards for large body surfaces.  Second, you assume you are getting aerosol SPF on your skin. 

If there is a slight breeze.  Oops! No sunscreen for you! It is too easy to miss an area.

Check out this site for safe sunscreen recommendations…

http://www.ewg.org/2014sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/?search=Search+for+your+sunscreen…&brand_id=3767&mineral=on

Loralee Koontz