SPF: Sun Protection Folks

As the temperature continues to rise, it is exceedingly important that we protect ourselves from the sun and it's harsh effects.  Like most of us know, sun protection is vital to maintaining healthy, beautiful skin and most (if not all) skin care and make-up lines have integrated SPF into their products.  By now, it has been beaten into our heads that indecent sun exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation, skin cancer, pre-mature aging, sagging....the list goes on and on.  However, most of us don't understand how to properly use it.

If you are only exposed to the sun incidentally, a light lotion or moisturizer will suffice.  However, if you work in the sun, sun bathe, or enjoy the outdoors, full spectrum protection is imperative.  Full spectrum refers to a sunscreen that protects from UVA AND UVB rays.  UVA rays are short and cause tanning, while UVB rays are longer and cause sunburns.  You may be thinking, "I want to tan why do I need protection"?  Well, you will tan with sunscreen however you open the door to potential skin damage if you do not use protection.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do you know what the numbers after the term SPF stand for or refer to?  This number helps to determine the amount of protection by MINUTES that you are exposed.  Multiply your SPF by 10 to find out how many minutes you can stay out in the sun with out burning.  For example, an SPF of 30 should protect for appr. 300 minutes (5 hours).  However, keep in mind you may sweat or take a dip in the water, so this reduces the coverage (even if you get sport or water-resistance).  It is important to reapply protection if you are exposed for an extensive time.

One more thing, YES people of color can and will experience the negative effects of sun exposure if we do not protect ourselves.  While our "extra dose" of melanin is our special protection against the sun, the damaging effects is the same and hyperpigmentation worsens.