The first step in choosing the sunscreen that is best suited for you is to choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA as well as UVB rays. The better the sunscreen, the stronger will be its ability in providing you a high degree of protection against sunburn, skin aging as well as skin cancer. A good place to begin is the internet, where you can do a thorough search about the best sunscreens. Read articles, consumer reports, ask your friends, your family and check with your dermatologist.
Next step is to find out your skin phototype (skin type) or SPT. This is a system of classification which is based on a person’s sensitivity to the sun. For example, people who have skin types I and II are on the more sensitive part of the scale and thus they are at the highest risk for wrinkles or skin cancer.
| Skin type | Usual Features | Sunburn Perceptivity | Tanning Perform | Skin Cancer Risk |
| I | Pale light skin, hazel/blue eyes, red/blonde hair | High | None | High |
| II | Fair skin, blue eyes | High | Poor | High |
| III | Darker white skin | Moderate | Good | Low |
| IV | Olive skin | Low | Very good | Low |
| V | Brown | Very low | Excellent | Very low |
| VI | Dark brown or black skin | Very low | Excellent | Very low |
Once that you know your skin type, look for a sunscreen having a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15, at least. In case you are at the top of the chart (SPT I, II, III), you need a sunscreen with a much higher SPF. Besides giving you information about protection, the SPF also helps to determine how long you can be out there in the sun. All that you need to know is the UV Index for the day which you can then multiply by the SPF of your sunscreen. So, in case you know that the UV index is 9, you know that you will burn in 15 minutes or less. If your SPF is 15, means that you can stay outside 15 x 15 or 225 minutes; divide that number by 60 and you get 3.75. Thus, you can safely remain in the sun for 3 hours and 45 minutes.
While choosing a sunscreen read the label completely and carefully and follow any cautions or considerations to the letter. Remember that sunscreens are only temporary protection from the sun; and they do not allow you to unconditionally soak up the rays.
Take into consideration your planned activity while you are choosing your sunscreen. In case you will be on a beach by the ocean, you know now that both the sand as well as the foam on the water are highly reflective and that your exposure to UV rays will be increased. Thus, you will want a sunscreen with a higher SPF as well as want to watch the time that you are exposed to the sun. Furthermore, you will want to reapply sunscreen at the beach after swimming or exercising. But if your afternoon out will be a walk through a wooded forest, you will need a lower SPF and will need to reapply only as per the result of multiplying the UV index burn time with the SPF of the sunscreen.
While reading the label of your sunscreen, make sure that it has been well tested scientifically. Usually the label indicates its scientific soundness with words such as “certified” or “tested” or “dermatologists approve”.
Measurement of the UVA Protection
SPF is a good gauge for UVB protection, but it gives no information about the UVA rays. In order to minimize the signs of skin aging, like wrinkles or brown spots as well as to reduce the risk of skin cancer, UVA protection is critical.
Though many sunscreens claim to protect against both UVA as well as UVB radiation, they usually don’t specify the UVA protection strength. Also, SPF only gives us UVB protection information. Additionally, detecting UVA damage is not possible unless you use some special equipment.
SPF measures the speed at which one will burn. After all, UVB rays are the UV rays which can burn the skin while UVA radiation protection has nothing to do with the SPF of sunscreens. To give an indication of the amount of UVA protection which is offered by a sunscreen product, another measure is being added, known as Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD), which measures the amount of UVA rays which are absorbed by the skin. A sunscreen having a PPD of 15 or higher, for example, would provide good UVA protection. Many sunscreen manufactures may not provide PPD values since the classification of PPD is quite new. Some sunscreen product may offer little or no mention of UVA at all. In case you wish to learn more about PPD in your sunscreen, you need to contact the manufacturer. In case you don’t get a satisfactory response, a good idea will be to seek another product.
Applying the Sunscreen
Applying the Sunscreen
Before telling you the how-to in applying sunscreen, it’s important to repeat that sunscreens have to be a part of your comprehensive approach to UV radiation protection, but not a miracle sun-damage cure all. Thus, before going into the sun it’s important that you consider the reliable practices of avoiding the sun at peak hours, besides wearing protective clothing as well as the other considerations that were mentioned before. In case you are still determined to get into the sun, you need to know how to apply your sunscreen:
First, choose your Sunscreen:
Choose a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15. Read the label to make sure that it blocks UVA rays, which cause wrinkles, brown spots, as well as UVB rays, which cause sunburn. Ensure the sunscreen is formulated for your skin type as well as suited to the activity that you’re planning. In case you plan on swimming or exercising, seek out waterproof or sweat proof formulas.
Keep your eye on the clock:
Give the sunscreen ample time to fully absorb. Hence apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you enter the sun.
Shake it well and Rub it on:
Make sure that the sunscreen’s ingredients are well mixed, hence shake the bottle well. Next, squeeze out about two tablespoons’ worth into your hand in order to cover your whole body. Rub it generously onto all the areas of your body which may be exposed to the sun, such as your arms, hands, neck, feet, as well as legs, torso, back, shoulders, besides the face. Apply sunscreen while you’re naked in case you’re going to wear a bathing suit. This way you will not miss a spot. There are some areas which are easy to miss, like near the edge of a bathing suit, near your eyes, as well as your lips, ears, as well as your scalp or the parting in your hair. Thus pay special attention to those areas while applying sunscreen. Ask a friend or a family member to apply the sunscreen for you on these harder-to-reach areas, especially your back.
Reapply it As Required:
Once you’ve been in the sun for nearly two hours, or even earlier in case you’ve been swimming, sweating, or rubbing against a towel, reapply the sunscreen all over once again.