We all know sun protection is important, but there are still myths surrounding UV exposure and sunscreen usage. Remember, sun protection does not stop at the end of summer!
Myth 1: The higher the SPF, the longer the protection
TRUTH: High SPF numbers lead to a false sense of security. SPFs higher than 50 provide only 2% more protection than an SPF 25-30, which provides over 90% protection against UVB rays.
All sunscreens need to be applied every 90 minutes, especially if you are outside for more than two hours, actively playing sports, at the beach, or gardening.
Myth 2. As long as you block UVB rays, which cause burning, you are safe.
TRUTH: You need broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA (ageing) and UVB (burning) rays.
Myth 3. Sunscreen provides adequate protection.
TRUTH: You must take additional measure to adequately protect yourself in addition to sunscreen. Those include the following:
Wear a hat with a wide brim.
Apply a lip balm with an SPF of 15-30
Wear clothing made of a protective fabric with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 15-50+.
Avoid products and medications that make you more sensitive to sunburn.
Eat food rich in the vitamin D. This is safer than the sun.
Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Myth 4. Vitamin A should not be in a sun protection formula.
TRUTH: Ester forms of vitamin A and C such as retinyl palmitate or ascorbyl-tetra-iso-palmitate are safe and are actually photoprotective.
Myth 5. A tan makes you look healthy.
TRUTH: A tan is a scar. Since ultraviolet light is a carcinogen there is no safe amount of tanning. The risk of melanoma and other skin cancers increases with each tan.
Myth 6. Indoor tanning booths are a safer way to tan.
TRUTH: A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology May 2014 demonstrated a significantly increased risk of developing melanoma with exposure to 10 indoor tanning sessions.
Myth 7. You need both chemical and physical blockers to provide protection against UVA and UVB rays.
TRUTH: If 7-8% of broad-spectrum blockers such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are in the product they provide both UVA and UVB protection. In addition, a complex of antioxidant vitamins provides additional protection from free radical effects of the sun’s damaging rays. Unlike all the other chemical ingredients which absorb the sun’s rays and can cause skin sensitivity, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide reflect the UVA and UVB rays of the sun.
Credit: http://www.skininc.com