Sunburn and Sun Poisoning (cont.)
What is SPF?
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is the measurement of how well an agent may
protect against sunburn. This can be multiplied by the time that it takes to
develop mild redness or burning in an unprotected person. For example, if
someone develops mild sunburn-related redness in 20 minutes, he or she may
develop the same degree of redness in 300 minutes (5 hours) with an SPF 15
sunscreen (15 times 20 minutes) when properly applied.
What is the best way to apply sunscreen?
It advised to apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before expected sun exposure.
Reapplication of sunscreen every 1-2 hours is also generally advised. Some
experts, however, encourage more frequent reapplication, especially shortly
after initial exposure. It is also important to apply sunscreen very liberally;
spreading the product too thin may not achieve the desired degree of protection.
SPF 15 sunscreen is the minimum requirement for most individuals. Stronger
sunscreens are recommended for people who easily burn in the sun and have longer
exposure time in the sun. Water exposure may wash off the sunscreen, so it
should be reapplied after the body dries up.
Do sunscreens expire?
Sunscreens may degrade over time or after long exposure to sun and heat.
Therefore, the bottle should not be kept in the car or under direct sun exposure
for a long period of time. If the expiration date has passed, the product needs to be
discarded and replaced with a new one. Sunscreens generally expire or loose
their effectiveness after about three years.
Can antioxidants protect against sunburn?
Antioxidants are agents that can prevent certain harmful reactions in the
body. The formation of some potentially harmful molecules, called free radicals,
is one if these reactions. Antioxidants are natural agents that may prevent or
reduce this formation.
Some of sun damage is a result of this reaction. Oral or topical antioxidants
(vitamins A,
C, and
E, and green tea) may theoretically protect the skin against
sunburn. Clinical data is not sufficient to support their use instead of or in
addition to, traditional sunscreen.
Next: Sunburn At A Glance »
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