By: Therese Anne Limbana
Sunlight falls under the spectrum of ultraviolet (UV) light, which possesses some radiation properties.
These rays can be divided into three categories:
- Ultraviolet radiation type A
- Ultraviolet radiation type B
- Ultraviolet radiation type C
Each type affects your skin in a different way and could lead to serious complications, especially when you don’t wear sunscreen.
In a 2012 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), researchers found that 50.1% of all adults aged 18–29 years reported sun-induced skin conditions, such as sunburns. Out of these adults, Caucasians had the most incidence.
Unfortunately, chronic exposure to the sun may increase the risk of melanoma, a malignant type of skin cancer that will cause approximately 6,850 deaths in the U.S. alone this year.
In this article, I will cover the importance of wearing sunscreen, including the key features to look for when shopping.
What is SPF?
The SPF number usually refers to the duration needed for the skin to redden when exposed to the sun while wearing sunscreen.
In other words, if you find a sunscreen with an SPF of 30, this means that your skin will take 30 times longer to burn compared to not wearing any sunscreen.
In general, an SPF of 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays from hitting your skin, whereas an SPF of 50 blocks around 98% of radiation. Despite how insignificant this may seem, a slightly higher SPF reduces the number of rays that hit your skin significantly.
Unfortunately, when people use sunscreens with high SPF, they tend to get a false sense of security, which leads to more skin damage, defeating the purpose of wearing sunscreen.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, sunscreen must have at least 30 SPF (water-resistant) to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation.
Additionally, you need to wear sunscreen all year round (even if it’s cloudy or rainy out there) since UV light is always present.
Types of Sunblock – Chemical Vs. Physical SPF
You will often hear about the two types of sunscreen, which refer to the ingredient of each product.
Physical (mineral) sunscreen – the primary ingredients found in this type are minerals, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Their role is to scatter the sun rats before they reach the deeper layers of your skin.
Chemical sunscreen – these products contain chemicals, such as octisalate, which absorb the UV rays before they inflict damage to your skin.
Refer to your dermatologist for advice about the best sunblock for your skin.
Takeaway message
Being exposed to sunlight is the leading cause of skin cancer worldwide. The most susceptible group to developing UV-related skin conditions are those with fair skin since there isn’t enough melanin to reflect the radiation.
About the Author – Therese Anne Limbana:
Therese Anne Limbana was born and raised in the Philippines. She migrated to the US to work as a nurse and served as a front-liner during the global pandemic. She aims to be a dermatologist and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in dermatology and psychiatry. You can visit her site at drmissionsny.com
