Here are some facts about sunscreen, compliments of the American Academy of Dermatology.
What sunscreen should be used?
It is recommended that sunscreen offering the following be used:
• Broad-spectrum protection (blocks UVA and UVB rays)
• SPF factor of 30 or greater
• Water resistance.
What type of sunscreen should be used?
• Creams are best for dry skin and the face.
• Gels are good for hairy areas, such as the scalp or men’s chests.
• Sticks are good to use around the eyes.
• Sprays are sometimes preferred by parents since they are easy to apply. Make sure to use enough of these products to thoroughly cover all exposed skin. NOTE: Current FDA regulations on testing and standardization do not pertain to spray sunscreens. The agency continues to evaluate these products to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Is a higher SPF rating safer?
• Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun’s rays. Higher-number SPFs block slightly more of the sun’s rays, but no sunscreen can block 100 percent of the sun’s rays.
• There is no scientific evidence indicating that sunscreen with an SPF higher than 50 can protect you better than an SPF 50 version.
• High SPFs last the same amount of time as low-number SPFs.
What about reapplication?
All sunscreens should be applied approximately every two hours or according to time on the label, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.