[New post] Common Questions

Is SPF 15 enough?

Common Questions Mary Radford, RN | April 8, 2011 at 4:13 pm | Categories: Common Questions, Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/pMnJi-kK

 

What is the best way to prevent sunburn and sun damage?

Always use sunscreen. Apply it generously 30 minutes before stepping into the sun. Pick a sunscreen that lists zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or avobenzone as “active ingredients” for the best overall UVA and UVB protection. If you are swimming, playing tennis or hiking, reapply your sunscreen every two hours. You cannot overuse it. Sunscreen does not provide total blockage so we encourage you to wear a broad-brimmed hat and sit in the shade or under an umbrella. Your skin has a memory for every burn and tan. The damage is cumulative and reveals itself as wrinkles, brown spots and sometimes skin cancer.

For your face, use the sunscreen that is part of your Rodan + Fields Regimen. ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides SPF 20 can be used as SPF on-the-go. This SPF in powder form can be loaded and locked in the Rodan + Fields ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides Brush to add an effective layer of sunscreen anytime throughout the day.

Is SPF 15 enough to protect against a burn?

Did you know that SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays; SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays; and SPF 50 blocks 99% of UVB rays? They all can be effective. However, your answer lies in how much you apply and how often. The reality is that an SPF 15 isn’t really a 15 if you only apply a thin layer. Therefore, we urge you to layer your sunscreen. Apply your sunscreen 30 minutes before exposing yourself to the sun. Let it dry down for at least 15 minutes and then reapply another coat just before your tennis match, mountain hike or other outdoor activity. Reapply every two hours to give adequate coverage and every hour if swimming or sweating. That way, you’ll have a fighting chance of achieving the full SPF rating and maximizing the potential UVA protection of your product.

As an FYI, a product’s SPF is measured in a laboratory setting. Subjects put on a certain amount of sunscreen per centimeter of skin and are then exposed to a solar simulator (a lamp that creates UV radiation similar to sunlight). It is important to note that the amount of sunscreen applied for this test is quite heavy, far more than most people ever use at the beach.

Posted via email from Beautiful Skin with Rodan+Fields