The average person uses around one-third that amount, according to Dawn Marie Davis, a dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic.Īlthough mineral sunscreens (more on them below) are effective immediately, chemical sunscreens need to be absorbed before they become effective. It’s about the size of a golf ball, or enough lotion to fill a shot glass. The amount of sunscreen applied under laboratory conditions is about 1 ounce. So when should I apply sunblock-and how much should I put on? The important caveat is using the product as directed, and most of us don’t. ( Some animals make their own sunscreen.)Ĭurrent advice from the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30. So wearing adequate amounts of sunscreen with an SPF of 15 means it will take 15 times more solar energy to cause a burn an SPF of 30 would take 30 times more. That’s a fallacy.” When it comes to SPF, is bigger always better?Ī sunscreen’s SPF (short for Sun Protection Factor) is a measurement of how much solar energy (in the form of UVA and UVB rays) it takes to cause a sunburn in comparison compared to untreated skin when it’s used as directed. “There’s no such thing as a good base tan. “Tans are your body's way of telling you that you've damaged the skin,” Gohara says. But what about getting a base tan? Will that protect me? Individuals with darker skin may also notice hyperpigmentation, or an uneven increase in skin color. Burns aside, why should I be concerned about sun exposure?įor starters, that’s because UV rays are the leading cause of premature aging in skin, which includes wrinkles, sagging, and dryness, says Mona Gohara, a dermatologist at Yale University. If it lets light through, it probably won’t provide much protection, especially if it’s gauzy or gets wet. To check if an item you already own provides protection, hold it up to a light bulb. ( Can aging be cured? Scientists are giving it a try.) Although most clothing provides more sun protection than going out in bare skin, Brod recommends buying clothes with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of at least 30. Other options include wearing hats with brims at least four inches wide and wearing sun protective clothing. ![]() The most effective strategy is to avoid the sun when it is most intense, typically between 10 a.m. But sunscreen is only one part of a more holistic strategy to prevent harmful sun exposure. Very, says Bruce Brod, a dermatologist at the University of Pennsylvania. National Geographic talked to a range of dermatologists to get the lowdown on everything you need to know about sunblock, from A to Zinc oxide. ![]() He cites not only the depletion of the ozone layer, the part of the Earth’s atmosphere that helps absorb harmful ultraviolet rays, but also the increasing popularity of outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and cycling. I diagnose it every day in my practice,” says Gregory Papadeas, a dermatologist based in Denver. More questions swirl about the benefits of different types of sunscreens and their relative safety for us and the environment. In the last several decades, skin experts have stopped wondering if we should be wearing sunscreen (that answer is a resounding yes), but how much, when, and under what circumstances. Over time, however, this sun exposure causes premature skin aging and cancers like melanoma. ![]() Most of the time, it leads to several hours or days of pain and discomfort. We’ve all felt it: that moment the warmth of the sun’s rays becomes a bit too warm and the reality hits that we’ve got a sunburn.
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