Some Sunscreen Facts That Will Save You From a Painful Sunburn (and more)

Even now, many people aren't still aware of some of the most common sunscreen facts. Getting too much sun not only hurts but can be extremely dangerous to your health.

In order to avoid potential problems, we'll show you some sunscreen facts that you should be aware of. That way, you and your family can enjoy a day in the beach, have as much fun as you want and then go home without having to worry about anything.

• What is SPF? SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This number can go from 2 to 50 and it refers to the product's ability to block the sun's radiation. For example, using a sunscreen with an SPF 10 means that you will be able to stay under the sun 10 times longer that you would without using any protection. It is important to know that SPF protection does not increase proportionally, so for example, while an SPF of 15 will absorb 93% of radiation, an SPF of 34 will only absorb a 4% more.



• What are UVA rays? Ultraviolet A rays (UVA) are one of the two types of radiation contained in sun rays (the other one being ultraviolet B or UVB rays). UVA rays have a stronger penetration power and cause a supression of the body's immune system. UVA rays are responsible for the signs of premature aging, age spots as well as wrinkling. UVB rays are less damaging but they are, in fact, the main cause of sunburns (and we all know how much those hurt!).
• When should you use sunscreen? This is probably one of the least known sunscreen facts. You should use sunscreen on the exposed areas of your body all the time, even when you are inside, as UVA rays can penetrate even through glass. Also, it is a common misconception to think that sunscreen is only needed on sunny days, which is false, as up 80 percent of ultraviolet rays can get trough clouds. So remember, if you're going out don't forget to use your sunscreen even it's completely cloudy.



• Can I get tanned without risk? Sorry but no. The tan is basically a skin reaction to an injury caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays, so by definition, to get tanned means to get hurt by the sun rays to some extent. Not only that, but the damage caused by the sun accumulates over time, increasing the speed of the aging process and rising the risk for skin cancer. And before you ask, no, tanning beds are not safe either, you are essentially exposing your body to the same damaging radiation than if you were under the sun.
• Is sunscreen and sunblock the same? That's another of those sunscreen facts which is ignored by most people, and the answer is no. Sunscreens can be divided into two types: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens, which are also known as sunblocks, are products which contain certain ingredients that physically block ultraviolet radiation, including both UVA and UVB rays. On the other hand, chemical sunscreens contain some components which act as filters that reduce the amount of radiation that penetrates into the skin. Zinc oxide sunscreens provide some of the most effective protection against the sun, if you want to know more about this particular type of sunblock, please check our Zinc Oxide Sunscreen page
• What are organic sunscreens? In a world that is going greener by the day, more and more people are using organic sunscreens. If you want to know more, please visit our Organic Sunscreen page

  

• How much sunscreen and how often should you apply it? Sunscreen should be used between ten and thirty minutes before going outside. It should be applied to all exposed parts, but you should pay special attention to your face, arms and hands. One interesting fact is that most people actually use less sunscreen than they should, so be generous when you apply it and better err on the side of excess. You should reapply your sunscreen every couple of hours or after going into the water, as even water resistant sunscreens can lose some effectiveness after being inside the water for half an hour.