Sunscreens

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 Sun Protection Factor (SPF)
• When purchasing sunscreen, the Sun Protection Factor or SPF
measures how effectively the sunscreen formula limits skin exposure
to UV-B rays that burn the skin.

• The higher the SPF, the more protection the sunscreen will provide
against UV-B rays.

• SPF does not measure UV-A.

• If you are looking for UV-A protection, the experts recommend that
you purchase a product that has broad-spectrum protection.
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 Should you use very high SPF sunscreen?
• SPF indicates how much radiation is blocked from
reaching your skin (how much UVB get blocked).

• SPF 30 means that only 1/30th or ~3.34% of UVB

radiation reach the skin (i.e block 96.67% of UVB).

• SPF 50 means that only 1/50th or 2% of UVB

radiation reach the skin (i.e block 98% of UVB).

• SPFs that are higher than 30 means that the

additional protection is minimal
 Sun Protection Factor (SPF)

• Sun Protection Factor (SPF) =

MED of Photoprotected Skin
MED of Unprotected Skin

• MED is minimum dose of radiation which produces erythema.

• The SPF number on a sunscreen refers to only UVB blocking.
• SPFs are determined indoors using xenon lamps which
approximate the spectral quality of UV radiation
 Broad spectrum sunscreens
• The term broad-spectrum applies to
sunscreens which block both UVA and
UVB rays.
• UVB rays are the rays responsible for
tanning or burning the skin.
• Both UVA and UVB rays are responsible
for skin damage, premature aging, and
cancer.
• Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are
broad-spectrum, with zinc oxide being
the superior of the two.
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 Water-resistance sunscreens
• The water-resistance indicates that a sunscreen
product’s labeled SPF protection is retained for a
certain period of time after immersion in water.
• The FDA has created three levels of water-resistance
claims:
• 1. Not water-resistant, hence an SPF claim only
• 2. Water-resistant to 40 minutes
• 3. Water-resistant to 80 minutes
 water-resistance sunscreens
• To make a sunscreen water-resistant, ingredients have to be added that
will allow the sunscreen formulation to adhere to skin when submerged
in “swirling water”.
• This can be done with waxes, oils, or polymers such as dimethicone.
• The formulator’s objective is to mix ingredients into the sunscreen that
will:
1- Help the sunscreen active ingredients adhere to skin when
immersed in water.
2- Not negatively affect the balance of the sunscreen
formulation, causing it to separate.
3- Not inhibit sunscreen ingredients from achieving desired SPF levels.
4- Not fill and plug skin pores.
• Factors which influence effectiveness of SPFs
– Difference in skin types.
– Thickness of the applied sunscreen.
– Time of day.
– Altitude: each 1,000 ft increase adds 4% to the intensity of
erythema producing UV radiation
– Environment: snow/white surfaces reflect 70-90%, and
when directly overhead water reflects nearly 100% of UVR.
– Vehicle: determines skin penetration of sunscreen.
 Application of sunscreens
✓ When
• If applying a physical sunscreen such as zinc oxide or
titanium dioxide, you can apply it immediately before sun
exposure. Physical sunscreens begin protecting the skin
immediately after application.

• Chemical sunscreens are made to be applied 15 minutes

before sun exposure since they need to "kick in"" and
require 15 minutes before they provide maximum
protection.

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 Application of sunscreens
✓How often
• Physical sunscreens need to be reapplied only if you get wet,
sweat a lot, or towel dry. Otherwise, they are good all day.

• Chemical sunscreens begin degrading when exposed to sunlight

and last only 2 hours in the sun, you will need to reapply every
2 hours, or after you get wet, sweat a lot, or towel dry.

✓ How much (apply plenty)

• For best protection, experts recommend using a minimum SPF
sunscreen of 15, applying the proper amount (2mg/cm2 of
skin), and reapplying every 2 hours.

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