KNOW ALL ABOUT YOUR SUNSCREEN

 

Who can forget the images of Australian, South African, English and Kiwi cricketers all covered with thick layer of sunscreen fielding the hot Australian  sun? Honestly, that was my first introduction to sunscreen. Being an Indian with an inbuilt melanin protection, sun protection was never high on our priority when we were growing up but the sun was much brighter in Australia because of less particulate matter in the atmosphere and even my dark skin burnt.

 

Sunscreen, also known as sunblock or sun cream, is a photo-protective topical product for our skin that helps protect it against sunburn and most importantly prevent skin cancer. Sunscreens come as lotions, sprays, gels, foams and whipped lotion. They are common supplements to clothing, particularly sunglasses, sunhats and special sun protective clothing, and other forms of photo-protection such as umbrellas and canopies. Applying sunscreen is one of the best and the and easiest ways to protect the skin’s appearance and health at any age anywhere in the world. Used regularly, sunscreen also helps premature aging of the skin.

 

In parts of the world where there is a depletion of the Ozone layer men, women and children over 6 months of age should use sunscreen every day. This includes people who tan easily and those who don’t. It is worth remembering that your skin is damaged by sun exposure over your lifetime, whether or not you burn. The best practice is to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before venturing outside to allow it to bind to your skin. Reapply every two hours of exposure and immediately after swimming or excessive sweating.

 

Even when it is cloudy use your sunscreen; up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV radiation reaches the earth through the clouds. Going unprotected on an overcast day can lead to skin damage. It does not matter whether it is summer or winter; you must protect your skin from sun exposure all year round.

Frequently forgotten spots: Ears, Nose, Lips, Back of neck, Hands, tops of feet, along the hairline and areas of the head exposed by balding or thinning hair are the commonly missed spots

 

 

History

Early civilizations used a variety of plant products to help protect the skin from sun damage. The ancient Greeks used olive oil for this purpose, and ancient Egyptians used extracts of rice, jasmine, and lupine plants whose products are still used in skin care today.  Zinc oxide paste has also been popular for skin protection for thousands of years among the nomadic sea-going Sama-Bajau people of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. A common type of sun protection is a paste called borak or burak, which was made from water weeds, rice and spices was used by them, particularly by women to protect the face and exposed skin areas from the harsh tropical sun at sea. In Myanmar, thanaka, a yellow-white cosmetic paste made of ground bark, is traditionally used for sun protection. The use of sandalwood paste and turmeric has mention in Ayurveda as skin protectors, but whether it is protection from sun is not clearly mentioned.

 

 

Benefits of using Sunscreen lotions

1.     Sunscreen use can help prevent melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, two types of skin cancer but there is little evidence that it is effective in preventing basal cell carcinoma.

2.     It also helps to prevent premature skin aging caused by the sun, including wrinkles, sagging and age spots. Younger-looking, radiant and healthy skin is lost by constant solar exposure and  several studies claim that people under the age of 55 who regularly used sunscreen lotions showed 24 per cent lesser chances of premature ageing.

3.     It also helps to prevent blotchiness of the face. If you apply a generous amount of sunscreen, there are chances of keeping skin irritation and eruption of red veins at bay. These skin disorders often occur due to harmful sun rays.

4.     Sunscreen lotions prevent sunburns. We all love hanging out in the sun, especially during winters. However, being out in the sun without sunscreen may cause sunburns. Sunburns can thin the skin, making it more transparent. This in turn can lead to skin peeling, redness, blotchiness, itching, and even hives in cases of sensitive skin. This is due to UVB rays, responsible for sunburns. A study published in ‘Annals of Epidemiology’ in August 2008 suggested that recurring occurrences of sunburns could actually put you at a higher risk of lethal melanoma.

5.     Sunscreens enhance skin health. The essential skin proteins, such as collagen, keratin, and elastin, are protected by sunscreen. These proteins are required for keeping the skin smooth and healthy.

 

 

What is SPF?

The sun protection factor (SPF) rating was introduced in 1974. It is a measure of the fraction of sunburn-producing UV rays that reach the skin. For example, "SPF 15" means that 1⁄15 of the burning radiation will reach the skin; assuming sunscreen is applied evenly at a thick dosage of 2 milligrams per square centimetre (mg/cm²).

 

It is important to note that sunscreens with higher SPF do not last or remain effective on the skin any longer than lower SPF and must be continually reapplied as directed, usually every two hours. There is a popular misconception that SPF relates to time of solar exposure. For example, many people believe that, if they normally get sunburned in one hour, then an SPF 15 sunscreen allows them to stay in the sun for 15 hours (e.g., 15 times longer) without getting sunburn. This is not true because SPF is not directly related to time of solar exposure but to amount of solar exposure. The sun is stronger in the middle of the day compared to early morning and early evening hours. That means your risk of sunburn is higher at mid-day. Solar intensity is also related to geographic location, with greater solar intensity occurring at lower latitudes.

 

 

What SPF is correct for you?

Most of us may not know the best SPF level for sunscreen - is it 15, 30, 50 or higher? Actually, it's a lot more complicated than you might think. The first problem is that most people do not put on enough sunscreen. So even if you are applying an SPF 30 or 50, chances are you only end up getting about half that level of protection. To get all the sun-blocking power your sunscreen promises, you need to apply about a shot glass's volume i.e. 75 ml to your whole body. It's also best to stick with actual lotion-based sunscreen, not aerosolized sprays as they are notorious for not providing the SPF number listed on the label. Now, if you are applying the correct amount of sunblock, SPF 30 will block 97% of ultraviolet light, while SPF 50 blocks 98.5%.

 

 

Do dark-skinned people need sunscreen?

Dark-skinned people, including Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans, Australian Aboriginals naturally produce more of a chemical called melanin, which gives the skin colour and absorbs the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. In fact, dark-skinned people have a natural skin protection factor (SPF) of up to 13, and filter twice as much UV radiation as fair-skinned people. Health experts however advise everyone, regardless of skin colour, to use sunscreen. This is because although dark-skinned people won’t get sunburned as quickly, they will still burn and are still be susceptible to sun-induced damage such as sun spots and wrinkles and skin cancer, though less frequently.

 

 

Sunscreen ingredients

Every drug has active ingredients and inactive ingredients.  In the case of sunscreen, active ingredients are the ones that are protecting the skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.  Inactive ingredients are all other ingredients that are not active ingredients, such as water or oil that may be used in formulating sunscreens and carrying the active ingredients. The active ingredients in a sunscreen are Aminobenzoic acid, Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, Sulisobenzone, Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide etc.

 

Ingredients in a sunscreen can be:

Physical (mineral) sunscreen ingredients (including the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) block and scatter the rays (like a shield) before they penetrate your skin.

Chemical sunscreen ingredients (like avobenzone and octisalate) absorb UV rays (like a sponge) before they can damage your skin.

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV light and turn it into heat that comes off the skin, while physical sunscreens contain tiny bits of metal or minerals that reflect the light. Due to their lack of chemicals, physical sunscreens are marketed as natural and typically use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide to block out the sun. Chemical sunscreen, though effective, needs a little time to work - about 15 to 30 minutes, while physical sunscreen works immediately. All active ingredients in sunscreen are chemically derived.  Some people may think of physical sunscreens as more “natural,” or even “organic,” but they’re actually inorganic mineral compounds. The sunscreens many people call “chemical” are actually “UV organic filters.”

What does the term Broad Spectrum signify?

Not all sunscreens are broad spectrum, so it is important to look for it on the label. Sun protection factor (SPF) represents a sunscreen’s ability to protect against a specific portion of ultraviolet (UV) light called UVB. UVB rays are responsible for sunburns and skin cancer. There are two other portions of UV light: UVC rays (which don’t pass the earth’s atmosphere) and UVA rays which are also responsible for skin cancer as well as skin aging. A sunscreen that is broad spectrum will protect against both UVB and UVA rays by providing a chemical barrier that absorbs or reflects UV radiation before it can damage the skin. Sunscreens that are not broad spectrum or that lack an SPF of at least 15 must carry the warning: "Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”

 

 

Are sunscreens water/perspiration resistant?

 For those indulging in swimming or intense exercise this is a legitimate query. No sunscreen is waterproof; they all eventually wash off. Sunscreens labelled water resistant are tested to be effective for up to 40 minutes of swimming, while very water resistant sunscreens stay effective for up to 80 minutes in the water.

 

 

Do sunscreens have any adverse side effects?

All topical skin products must be tested on a skin patch behind your ears and if you are allergic to them (redness, itching, eruptions etc. on the test patch)just discard them. Sunscreen prevents ultraviolet light from reaching the skin, and even moderate protection can substantially reduce vitamin D synthesis. However, adequate amounts of vitamin D can obtained via diet or supplements. Studies have shown that sunscreen with a high UVA protection factor enabled significantly higher vitamin D synthesis than a low UVA protection factor sunscreen, likely because it allows more UVB transmission.

 

 

Other things to consider

• Your skin cancer risk factors: Your skin type and family history will determine the level of protection needed for you. Fair skin with freckles and blotches make you more susceptible.
• Photo-sensitivity: No matter your skin type, certain medications and disorders make your skin highly sensitive to the sun, raising your protection requirements.
• Skin conditions: You can choose from sunscreens for dry skin, oily skin, acne-prone skin and sensitive skin. Know your skin. Fair-skinned people are likely to absorb more solar energy than dark-skinned people under the same conditions.

 

 

Reapply, reapply! This is a guideline that most people ignore. You need to reapply sunblock at minimum every two hours in order to get natural protection. And always reapply if you have been swimming, sweating, or wiping your skin with towels. In addition, your lips need frequent sunscreen re-application as they are more delicate than normal skin and don't have the same photo-protective elements. Keep in mind that while the application of sunscreen is crucial, sunscreen alone is not enough. If you are outside in peak sun in the middle of the day you are not going to be completely protected. Seek the shade whenever possible; wear sun-safe clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, for a complete sun protection strategy.