What’s The Big Deal About An SPF?
When you go the drug store or department store to purchase your sunscreen or sunblock,
What are you looking for?
A high SPF number, to make sure it’s dermatologist recommended, sweatproof, waterproof…
But what is it about an SPF number that makes you so sure you’re getting what you need?
Do you really know what an SPF number is and what does it mean to you?
The acronym SPF stands for ‘Sun Protection Factor’.
It is a numeric code (SPF 15 or SPF 30) assigned to a specific sun product.
This code determines exactly how long the products will be able to protect us from sunburn.
For instance, if you are naturally fair/light-skinned and begin burning after 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, then a product with an SPF 2 would enable you to stay in the sun TWO TIMES as long (2×15 = 30 minutes) without burning.
A product with an SPF 6 would allow six times the exposure (6×15 = 90 minutes) without burning…
Do you get the picture? 
An SPF 15 protects against 93% of UVB (the BURNING) rays, while SPF 30 protects against 97%.
A higher SPF than this does not result in a higher protection.
What’s more, an SPF higher than 30 can have a negative effect on the skin due to the higher content of chemicals needed to raise the SPF number.
Now remember: This SPF code tells you how long you can be in the sun without burning, but NOT aging.
The main reason for this is that an SPF number only tells you the level of protection from the burning rays (or UVB), but it does not indicate the level of protection from UVA (or the aging rays).
UVA radiation is daylight, and is constant all year round. So wear your sunblocks everyday, rain or shine!
How do you know if you’re being protected from UVA radiation?
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is coming out with a code to determine this. It will be similar to the Australian Standard Star Rating (currently 1 star is the lowest and 4 stars is the highest UVA protection)
Until then, here are some ingredients you should look for that are considered ‘Broad Spectrum’ or ‘Physical Blocks’:
Avobenzone (blocks UVA only)
Titanium Dioxide (blocks both UVA and UVB = Broad Spectrum)
Zinc Oxide (blocks UVA and UVB = Broad Spectrum)
To debunk more sunblock myths and to get even more information on the best sunblocks on the market, click here.
Do you have a sunblock you love or questions about the one you have?
If so, post your comment below and let’s get talking!
The Derma Divas.
August 6th, 2008 at 7:00 am
You say that exposure to sunlight can cause aging, but I just read an article that says it prevents aging. Now I don’t know what to believe. If you don’t believe that sunlight prevents aging just search it.
Agings last blog post..How to Help Aging Parents with a Power of Attorney
August 14th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Hello Aging!
I’m glad you wrote in and thank-you for your question! I am not sure exactly how this article you read explains this theory, but if you wanted to post or send us the link, we would be happy to check it out for you. I’m sure other readers would love some answers to your question as well.
We can say with certainty that daylight is UVA radiation, which are the aging rays, and that’s scientific fact. Now the sun does have some positive properties; among others, it helps us synthesize Vitamin D (which is actually a hormone) and it can act as an anti-bacterial. But for this we’re talking minimum necessary exposure.
Again, we’re slightly perplexed and definitely curious as to the details of this article.
Once more, thanks for writing in!
The Derma Divas.