Health & Medicine
It's in the Proof: Lower Levels in SPF Sunscreen Provide Just as Much Protection
Kathleen Lees
First Posted: Jun 07, 2013 10:18 AM EDT
Of course you might feel safer picking up a sunscreen with a higher SPF, otherwise known as the sun protection factor. But truth be told, research shows that up to a point, there's only so much protection that you can get.
According to the Environmental Working Group, when properly applied, SPF 50 sunscreen products block around 98 percent of sunburn rays. The organization even notes that when using sun protection products as low as 30 SPF, even those with sensitive skin can be protected from strong sunburns.
Unfortunately, some consumers may misuse high-SPF products with the claim that they will protect you longer in the sun from both UVA and UVB rays. However, health researchers note that this is simply untrue.
However, regardless of what product you're using, it's important to remember some general rules to protect yourself with summer right around the corner.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds us that it's important to prevent ultraviolet radiation all year round and not just in the summer. For instance, even on cloudy or hazy days, sun can come through the clouds and damage your skin. UV rays also reflect off of surfaces such as water, cement, sand and snow.
Below are some tips recommended to help protect yourself from UV radiation, courtesy of the CDC.
- Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
- Wear clothing to protect exposed skin.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
- Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
- Avoid indoor tanning.
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First Posted: Jun 07, 2013 10:18 AM EDT
Of course you might feel safer picking up a sunscreen with a higher SPF, otherwise known as the sun protection factor. But truth be told, research shows that up to a point, there's only so much protection that you can get.
According to the Environmental Working Group, when properly applied, SPF 50 sunscreen products block around 98 percent of sunburn rays. The organization even notes that when using sun protection products as low as 30 SPF, even those with sensitive skin can be protected from strong sunburns.
Unfortunately, some consumers may misuse high-SPF products with the claim that they will protect you longer in the sun from both UVA and UVB rays. However, health researchers note that this is simply untrue.
However, regardless of what product you're using, it's important to remember some general rules to protect yourself with summer right around the corner.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds us that it's important to prevent ultraviolet radiation all year round and not just in the summer. For instance, even on cloudy or hazy days, sun can come through the clouds and damage your skin. UV rays also reflect off of surfaces such as water, cement, sand and snow.
Below are some tips recommended to help protect yourself from UV radiation, courtesy of the CDC.
- Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
- Wear clothing to protect exposed skin.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
- Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
- Avoid indoor tanning.
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone