Selecting a Suncreen

Selecting a sunscreen can be confusing.  To help explain this, let’s start by defining terms:

• SPF  = Sun Protection Factor  (actually “Sunburn Protection Factor” would be more accurate) .  Theoretically it is the multiple of time it takes for your skin to burn when protected by a sunscreen.  So, for example, if you would normally burn in 30 minutes unprotected, an spf of 30 would protect you for 30 X 30 = 900 minutes before burning.  There are many factors involved with using a sunscreen.  For that reason, you cannot rely on this being accurate. Consider it a general guideline of relative effectiveness.
• UVA = Ultraviolet light A – light spectrum that can cause premature skin aging (sun spots, wrinkles) and skin cancer.
• UVB = Ultraviolet light B – light spectrum that can cause sunburn and skin cancer.
• Broad Spectrum = refers to sunscreens that also block UVA rays.
• Water Resistant = sunscreens that will protect for 40 minutes of swimming or sweating.  (Not all sunscreens are water resistant)
• Very Water Resistant = sunscreens that will protect for 80 minutes of swimming or sweating.
• Sensitive Skin / “Baby” Sunscreens = those sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, no fragrance, no oils, no PAPA (para-aminobenzoic acid), and that are hypoallergenic.

A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will block 93% of the sun’s rays and one with an SPF of 30 will block 97%.  The SPF by itself refers to only blocking the UVB rays.

Sunscreens stop working after a period of time and must be reapplied to sustain protection:

• At a minimum of every 2 hours
• Immediately after water exposure / sweating if sunscreen is not water resistant.
• After 40 minutes of water/sweat exposure using a water resistant sunscreen.
• After 80 minutes of water/sweat exposure using a very water resistant sunscreen.
• Immediately after toweling off, regardless of the sunscreen’s water resistance.

Don’t forget physical sunlight barriers:

• Shade
• Clothes

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a minimum SPF of 30.

For children under 6 months, its best to minimize the use of sunscreens and protect them with shade and clothing.

Arnold Solof, MD