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Summertime is approaching and many people are going to be spending a lot of time outdoors enjoying the sunshine. Before your salon guests head to the beach with their great base tans, share this sun safety Q&A:
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Q: What is the best time for me to be out in the sun?
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A: UVB irradiance is greatest between 10:00am and 2:00pm. UVA continues throughout the day and can exceed the volume of UVB by ten times and more. In the northern hemisphere, UVB is most intense during the summer months, but UVA irradiance is more consistent throughout the year.
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Q: If I have a base tan, do I need to use an SPF product outdoors?
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A: SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor” (maybe it should stand for Sunburn Protection Factor) and is the standard means of expressing a sunscreen product’s effectiveness in protecting the skin from overexposure and burning. It represents a ratio of the Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED) with the product on the skin to the MED for unprotected skin. In other words, the SPF value is the length of time a person can be exposed to UV without burning when using a sunscreen compared to when no sunscreen is used. For example, an SPF of 15 means one can be exposed to UV for a period 15 times longer when using a sunscreen on their skin than they can without it. Your skin “as is” has a SPF of 1. We often see reports that some SPF products are not as effective as they are claimed to be, especially if they are not applied and re-applied as directed.
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Q: Which sunscreen should I use?
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A: Sunscreen chemical agents are divided up into three groups: those which absorb UVA rays, those which primarily absorb UVB and those which absorb both light wavelengths. It is preferable to select broadband or full-spectrum sunscreens, as they protect against both UVB and UVA penetration. They also will help prevent the cumulative damage of photoaging (wrinkling) and can minimize photosensitivity reactions, both of which can be caused by exposure to UVA.
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Sunblocks are opaque formulations which absorb, reflect and scatter up to 99 percent of both UV and visible light. They are often used on localized, sun-sensitive areas such as the nose, lips, ears and shoulders. Because they are often messy and may stain clothing, sunblock products may not be practical for application over large areas of the body. An example of a sunblock is zinc oxide.
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On the other hand, sunscreens absorb specific wavelengths and are classified as drugs by the FDA. Sunscreens are considered more cosmetically refined due to their pleasing consistency and are, therefore, more widely used for effective photoprotection on the entire body.
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So, remember: the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10:00am and 2:00pm. It is wise to use a broadband sunscreen while exposed over a prolonged period of time or when spending time outdoors in sun intensive regions. One should always be mindful of the dangers of overexposure, as it may lead to skin damage.
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One should always be mindful of the dangers of overexposure, as it may lead to skin damage.
