In recent years there has been quite a lot of confusion about sunscreen and sun protection. For this reason, the American Pharmaceutical Association has provided new guidance for consumers, so we can properly understand the risks of sun exposure and proper protection from damaging rays

UVA and UVB protection: several years ago, sunscreens only protected from UVB rays, since they are the cause of sunburn. Nevertheless, UVA rays, although less intense, are those that can penetrate deeper into the skin causing damage several years later! Modern sunscreens now protect against both types of sunlight!

What is the significance of SPF (sun protection factor): the sun protection index (SPF) measures the degree of protection of the skin from UVB rays. For example, an SPF 15 protects against burns 93% more than if no sunscreen had been used at all. An SPF 30, protects against 97% and an SPF 50 protects against 98%. Translating this means that if needed 1 minute of sun exposure to cause skin burn, using SPF 15, in case we are exposed to 5 minutes in the sun, will be needed 75 minutes until a burn is induced if we use a sunscreen 15. The duration of burn protection increases as the SPF rises.

Sunscreen with high SPF can make a huge difference to people who have photosensitive skin. The effectiveness of the protection index is directly related to the amount of sunscreen applied. consequently, it really depends on how much sunscreen you apply to an area, in order to be effective!