THE TRUTH ABOUT SPF

Camp season is around the corner. We found a great article in British edition of InStyle magazine for June 2013. Since the article answers very important questions if it come s to sunscreen we will quote the most important facts.

1.       Having a tan is fine, as long as I don’t overdo the sunbathing and burn.

After skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces more melanin in order to help absorb further UV radiation, and skin becomes darker as a result. So a tan is actually a sign that skin has been damaged and trying to protect itself.

2.       Wearing  low SPF on my body is ok, but I must wear a high SPF on my face.

It is recommended using a minimum of SPF 30 broad-spectrum sunscreen on your body and face to guard against burning and reduce the risk of premature ageing. For people with fair skin applying SPF 50 is a must.

3.       I’ll only need half a bottle of sunscreen for a week’s holiday.

You should be getting through five bottles of sunscreen in a week’s holiday. Labs test sunscreens at 2mg per square centimeter of skin. If you do not apply this much, you simply won’t be getting the protection promised on the bottle.

4.       Sunscreen is affective at protecting skin from sun damage as clothing is.

Sunscreen should actually be your last defence against the sun. Second, wear densely woven clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Third, wear sunscreen.

5.       “Apply once” and waterproof sunscreens don’t need to be reapplied during the day.

These sunscreens need to be reapplied just as frequently as regular sunscreens – every 90 minutes to two hours.

6.       I can use sunscreen design for my body on my face.

You can, but the formulas tend to be heavier, so you may suffer breakouts if you wear it every day, as you should.

INSTYLE June 2013