I’m lucky to have olive colored skin and tan easily. I rarely ever worried about sunburns or sunscreens until recently. Since childhood, April vacation in Florida was the beginning of a really good tan that deepened through the summer. My aging skin issues have made me more conscientious about sun protection. Someone mentioned the other day about chemical reactions of different brands of sunscreen used at the same time causing skin irritation or becoming less effective. This called for a deep dive into sunscreen.
Deep doesn’t cover it. There is so much to know and learn about sunscreen basics and many other tangents one can take while exploring this subject.
History shows references to the sun’s rays causing damage to the skin for thousands of years. More specifically, in the last 150 years, ultraviolet rays have been studied as the cause of skin cancer.
The sun’s rays that we need protection from are UVA and UVB. UVB rays cause sunburns and tanning. This contributes to brown spots, uneven skin tone, aging and skin cancer. UVA rays also age the skin because they penetrate deeply into the skin. This can also cause skin cancer.
SPF or sun protection factor in sunscreen tells how much sun protection it gives. SPF is a measurement of the wavelengths of the light from the sun and how long you can be exposed without burning. For example, if it takes 20 minutes to burn, an SPF of 15 lets you stay in the sun for 15 times longer or 5 hours. This does not increase linearly. SPF 15 blocks 93% of UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97%. SPF 50 blocks 98% and SPF 70 blocks 98-99%.
SPF only protects from UVB rays. Sunscreens with “broad spectrum” coverage will protect from UVA rays also. Mixing a lower SPF with a higher SPF does not give you any more protection than the higher of the two.
There is a risk of mixing two sunscreens with different ingredients and compromising its efficacy. There are 2 types of sunscreen: chemical and physical/mineral. Physical, simply said physically blocks the sun’s rays. Chemical sunscreens create a reaction that turns the rays into harmless heat. This gets far more complicated with sunscreen combinations, mixing with make up and other facial products. A study has shown that chemical sunscreen became significantly less effective against UVA rays when mixed with zinc oxide.
Because of the overwhelming information and studies available, several articles could be written on the safety of some chemical sunscreens. There are lists of chemicals to avoid because of harm in studies and known harm to fish embryos research and marine life. Many of these chemicals have been banned for use in sunscreens in other countries but are still used in the US. Canada classifies sunscreens with drugs and they have greater regulations on their safety and efficacy.
Other considerations in these sunscreen combinations include nanoparticles which are used to enhance a product, SPF booster and fragrances. Fragrances are actually more chemicals that aren’t listed individually by law.
One must not forget to reapply every two hours because of sweating, swimming etc. Protection is also dependent on applying a generous amount of sunscreen. Studies show that most people don’t use enough. Applying lotion is thought to be better coverage than spray. Check expiration dates and consider proper storage conditions.
Everyone should be using sunscreen year-round, not just in the summer. Those with pale skin, blond or red hair, history of skin cancer or family history of skin cancer should be extra cautious in protecting themselves from the sun.
Stay out of the sun mid-afternoon. Wear sunglasses, hats and other protective clothing. Make your own shade with tarps, umbrellas and sun shelters. One other safety note, spray sunscreens are flammable.
There is just so much more information out there. Consumers need to demand safe, effective sunscreens that don’t harm humans, animals and our environment. Despite all these precautions, protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is important for everyone’s health. Environmental Working Group (EWG) has an excellent sunscreen guide at ewe.orgalong with fda.gov, nit.gov, www.safecosmetics.organd many more.
It’s a personal and independent choice. Use your resources and protect yourself from sunburns, skin cancer and aging. Happy Fourth of July!
Take care of yourself and someone else.
Juanita Carnes is a nurse practitioner with 38 years of experience in a hospital emergency department and urgent care facilities. She served 30 years on the Board of Health in Westfield, Massachusetts.
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