SUN PROTECTION PRODUCTS FAQ
Q: What is the difference between
a sunblock and sunscreen
A: The difference is in the way they
work and the type of UV protection they provide. Sunblocks
stop UV rays penetrating the skin by adding a layer
on the skin surface. Sunscreens penetrate to deep layers
of the skin and reflect harmful rays. More on sunblocks
and sunscreens
Q: Do you need to use sunscreen if you
have dark skin or already have a tan?
A: Yes, Even people with deeply
pigmented skin, who rarely burn should use a broad spectrum
sunscreen all of the time when exposed to the sun.
Q: What is SPF?
A: SPF is an acronym
for sun protection factor.
Q: What factor and what filter should
I choose?
A : SPF15 is enough for everyday
use.
Use a SPF30-45 stick applicator for shoulders,
nose, lips and ear lobes.
| Skin Type (complexion) |
Sunscreen Agent |
| Very fair-Always burns
easily; rarely tans |
Use SPF 20 to 30 |
| Fair-Always burns easily;
tans minimally |
Use SPF 12 to 20 |
| Light-Burns moderately;
tans gradually (light brown) |
Use SPF 8 to 12 |
| Medium-Burns minimally;
always tans well (moderate brown) |
Use SPF 4 to 8 |
| Dark-Rarely burns; tans
profusely (dark brown) |
Use SPF 2 to 4 |
| Children and adults who
suffer from eczema |
Use Min. SPF 25 |
Q: Does a sunscreen with an SPF of
30 provide twice the protection as one that has an SPF
of 15?
A: No, a sunscreen with
an SPF2 sunscreen provides protection against 50% of
UVB rays; SPF of 15 provides protection against 93%
of UVB rays, while one with an SPF of 30 provides 97%
protection. Be sure to use a sunscreen of at least 15-30
SPF. Many experts question whether using a sunscreen
above SPF 30 actuallyprovides much more protection,
since you are already blocking 97% of UVB rays.
Q: Do you have to reapply sunscreen
that is 'waterproof' or claims 'all day protection'?
A: Yes, no sunscreen is truly
waterproof; only water resistant. This means they still
need to be reapplied every few hours or according to
the manufacturer's instructions. Likewise, no sunscreen
really provides all day protection. An SPF of 50+ should
still be reapplied every 2 hours, or sooner if you have
been in the water or sweating a lot.
Q: Does using a sunscreen or sunblock
prevent my body from being able to manufacture Vitamin
D.
A: The amount of sun
exposure needed to get enough Vitamin D is minimal,
5-15 minutes a day.
Q: When should you apply sunscreen?
A: You should apply your sunscreen
15-30 minutes BEFORE being exposed to the sun. It takes
time for the sunscreen to be absorbed by your skin.
Q: Can you get a sunburn on a cloudy
day?
A: Yes, clouds do NOT
block the UV rays that cause sunburn. UV rays can also
be reflected off water, sand, snow, and concrete, so
you need to apply to areas such as under the chin, that
you think may not get exposed.
Q: Can you use the sunblock cream
left over from last year?
A: Not with safety.
Any product with a shelf life of more than two-and-a-half
years, does not require an expiry date; so you don’t
really know how old the product is when you buy it.
A good test is to look and smell. If it separates, or
smells off it is contaminated or destroyed in some way
so should be discarded. TIP: Don’t leave sunblock
creams and other creams in the sun. This decreases their
life. Keep it in the refrigerator, when not in use.
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