Wearing sunscreen can help protect our skin from the harsh Ultra Violet rays of the sun (these rays are known as UV rays). The sun radiates UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Most UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer and does not reach the earth. However, both UVA and UVB rays penetrates the atmosphere and causes conditions like premature skin aging, eye damage and skin cancers.
UVA rays play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling whereas UVB rays causes skin reddening and sunburn. A sunscreen that offers UVA protection will have a "PA" rating, while those with UVB protection will have an "SPF" rating.
The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating indicates the degree of sunburn protection provided by sunscreens. For instance, if you usually normally develop a sunburn in 10 minutes without wearing a sunscreen, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will protect you for 150 minutes (10 minutes multiplied by the SPF of 15).
Choosing the right sunscreen
When choosing the right sunscreen, do consider how much time you are really out in the sun and do keep in mind how fair your skin is. If you are very fair skinned and tend to have freckles easily, then you will probably want a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating as compared to someone who has a darker skin tone. Also, look for a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) protection.
Proper use of sunscreen
1. Apply sunscreen before you are exposed to the sun. It takes 20-30 minutes for sunscreen to be absorbed by the skin, so it should be applied at least 30 minutes before going out into the sun.
2. Apply generously and cover all the bases including your ears, neck, shoulders and the back of your neck to ensure complete coverage.
3. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, perspiring or after using the towel.
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