Now that spring is almost upon us, we will be spending a lot more time outdoors in the warm sun. And after a long, cold winter, that springtime sun will feel good on our skin. That is, until we get a sunburn. Even the spring sun is powerful enough to damage our skin, especially if we aren’t wearing sunblock with at least 50 SPF.
What Is SPF?
SPF, or sun protection factor, was introduced in 1974 to measure the proportion of UV rays that reach the skin. Fair skinned people with lower amounts of the skin pigment melanin are more susceptible to sunburn if they are exposed to sunlight for a longer period of time. The amount of sunscreen and the SPF rating have direct impacts on the absorbed solar radiation. However, it is important to reapply sunscreen because it will wear off with time.
How SPF Works
Skincare products with an adequate SPF rating can help reduce the possibility of sunburn. Frequent and prolonged exposure to sunlight may increase the risk of skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma. UV rays can have damaging effects on the skin, so sunscreen can help slow the development of sagging and wrinkles. According to a study in Australia, regular application of broad-spectrum sunscreen contributed to smoother and more resilient skin.
SPF rating is easy to understand. For example, if you apply a sunscreen product with SPF 30, only 1/30 of UV ray can reach the skin. This means that it takes 30 times longer for you to get sunburned if you apply sunscreen properly or use a skincare product containing sunscreen. A proper dosage of sunscreen is usually 2mg per square centimetre. If you develop sunburn in just 10 minutes without sunscreen protection, you can stay outdoor for 300 minutes or five hours before you get sunburned with sunscreen. However, a higher SPF rating doesn’t always indicate that the sunscreen will last longer. On average, you need to reapply sunscreen every two hours. If you swim or sweat often, you need to reapply every hour.
Contact Dr Lamia Cosmetics
To learn more ways to care for your skin and look your absolute best this spring, contact Dr Lamia Cosmetics today and speak with a skin care expert who can answer any questions you might have.
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