Clearing up confusion over sunscreen

When the sun settles in high and hot for the summer, people tend to get a bit more serious about slathering on sunscreen to protect their skin and avoid a burn.

Figuring out which sun protection factor (SPF) is most appropriate for the job may be a little confusing.

A few years ago, an SPF of 45 seemed high; now there are products that tout triple digits.

That's mostly a marketing gimmick, says Seth B. Forman, a board certified dermatologist in Tampa, Fla. "Clinically, the increase in protection is very minimal," he says.

The SPF measures how much time a person can spend in the sun before burning with sunscreen versus without. In theory, an SPF 15 sunscreen allows a person to stay out in the sun 15 times longer.

SPF 15 blocks 93 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97 percent and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. An SPF of 100 will block 99 percent. (There is no sunscreen that blocks 100 percent of the sun's rays, Forman says.)

SPF ratings measure a sunscreen's ability to block the ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays that cause sunburn but not ultraviolet-A rays linked to premature aging and wrinkles. Both rays contribute to the risk of skin cancer.

A recent study by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit public health advocacy group, found that only a small number of sunscreen products are as effective as the manufacturers claim. The group recommended only 8 percent of the 500 sunscreen products tested.

Later this year, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to introduce new sunscreen regulations designed to clear up confusion about those SPF numbers and whether products live up to claims that they're waterproof, sweat-proof and offer broad-spectrum protection — meaning they contain ingredients to protect against both UVB and UVA rays.

There currently is no requirement for UVA labeling. The FDA has proposed a rating system for sunscreen labels of one to four stars to indicate the level of UVA protection.

"We need regulations so the advertised protection is standardized," Forman says. "It's dangerous when people think they have an SPF of 100 and think they are that much more protected. An SPF 100 washes off just as easily as a 15."

Forman says buying a sunscreen with a high SPF isn't as important as using enough.

He suggests a broad spectrum sunscreen; a 15 SPF is sufficient for most people, he says, as long as they apply it early and often.

"A shot glass, about an ounce, should be enough for your body," he says. "And you really have to rub it in good, at least 15 minutes before you go outside. It needs time to absorb."

Make sure you reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating.

"There really aren't any 100 percent waterproof or sweat-proof sunscreens," Forman says. "It may stay on for an hour in the pool, but you have to reapply it."

Forman recommends Obagi sunscreen to his patients because it offers broad-spectrum protection and isn't irritating to the skin. It is available only from physicians, medical spas and other skin care and medical specialists.

In May, Consumer Reports Health rated sunscreens it says work best at blocking UVA and UVB rays that cause sunburns, wrinkles and certain skin cancers. The top four were: Up & Up Sport Continuous SPF 30 by Target, Walgreens Sport Continuous SPF 50, Banana Boat Sport Performance Continuous SPF 30 spray, and Aveeno Continuous Protection SPF 50 spray.

Forman stresses limiting your time in the sun, especially during peak hours, and wearing protective clothing, including a hat with a wide brim and shirts and swimsuits that offer sun protection (often labeled UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor).

"My 5-year-old son, Sam, wears swim shirts during the summer," Forman says. "They're stylish and they offer very good protection."

You may also want to go over your prescriptions with your doctor. Certain blood medications and antibiotics can make your skin more sun-sensitive, he says.

And if your sunscreen is more than a couple of years old, you need to throw it away, because the chemicals that block the sun's rays break down over time.

.

BOXES:

SUNSCREEN MYTHS

Here are six of the most common misconceptions:

MYTH: You can't get sunburned inside a building or car.

FACT: You can get sunburned inside a building because windows often do not have enough of a filter to block all UV light. The same is true for automobiles. In the United States, most skin cancers are on the left side of the face, chest and upper extremities because people sit on the left side of the car while driving, and the sun comes right through the window of the vehicle.

MYTH: If you get a "base tan" at a tanning salon, your skin is protected when you tan in the sun.

FACT: There is no such thing as a "healthy" tan. Not only do tanning beds damage your skin, you compound the damage when you tan in the sun.

MYTH: You can't get sunburned on a cloudy day.

FACT: You can burn easily when it's cloudy because ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds. You can even get sunburned in the shade.

MYTH: Waterproof and sweat-proof sunscreens don't need to be reapplied.

FACT: No sunscreen provides all-day protection. You should reapply every two hours or sooner if you have been swimming or sweating a lot.

MYTH: A white T-shirt provides better protection from the suns ray's than dark clothing.

FACT: Dark clothing is more protective because it absorbs light better than light colored fabrics. A white T-shirt provides an SPF of only 4, which is not nearly enough protection against the sun. Unfortunately, dark clothing is less comfortable in the heat.

MYTH: People with dark skin don't need sunscreen.

FACT: While dark skin has more natural sun protection than Caucasian skin, everyone, regardless of race, should use broad spectrum sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF when going out in the sun.

.

SAFETY TIPS

Ready for some fun in the sun? These tips from the American Cancer Society can help minimize sun damage.

Cover up

When you're out in the sun, wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible. The ideal sun-protective fabrics are lightweight, comfortable and protect against exposure even when wet.

Use sunscreen

Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher

Apply sunscreen correctly

Use one ounce of sunscreen (a "palmful") to cover your arms, legs, neck and face. For best results, reapply every 2 hours — even more if you are swimming or sweating. Don't forget to protect your lips by using a lip balm with SPF. And don't forget to put sunscreen on your ears, chin, neck and feet. Apply sunscreen generously 20 minutes before going outside. And don't skip it just because it looks overcast outside: UV light still comes through on hazy days.

Wear a hat

A hat with at least a 2- to 3-inch brim all around is ideal to protect your neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp.

Wear sunglasses

Wear sunglasses that block UV rays. Invest in a pair of wrap-around sunglasses with at least 99 percent UV absorption to block damaging UVA and UVB light.

Limit direct sun exposure

UV rays are most intense during the middle of the day, usually between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It's best to plan your outdoor activities outside that timeframe, if possible.

Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps

Tanning lamps give out UVA and, frequently, UVB rays as well. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause serious long-term skin damage, and both contribute to skin cancer. Skip the tanning bed and try a bronzing lotion or self-tanning cream.