When summer comes and the sun gets more intense, questions about choosing and using sunscreen often arise. If you are giving your sunscreen the importance it deserves (which is huge), you could be confused with all those myths running around them.
We hope this article brings some light and helps you understand sunscreens better.
SPF and broad-spectrum are the same thing.
Myth
No, they are not. SPF measures how well the sunscreen protects you from UVB rays, which are considered the most dangerous. On the other hand, broad-spectrum means that it protects from both UVB and UVA radiation.
For now, UVA rays are believed to be less harmful, but they also damage your skin cells, triggering skin aging. But it doesn’t end there. Recent studies show that UVA can seriously harm your skin and play a role in development of some types of skin cancer, so more studies are being carried out in this regard.
Our advice: Choose high SPF and broad-spectrum sunscreen. It should be indicated in the label. Also, according to European marking, a ring around UVA in the label means that the protection against UVA is at least a third of the SPF value, meeting EU recommendations.
Sunscreen expires from one summer to the next.
Myth
Most sunscreens show the expiry date in the package, but if it is not indicated, they generally last three years at least when unopened.
But, how long can they last once opened? Depending on the product and the container (for instance, an opaque packaging preserves it better), they can remain effective for 3 years or only 6 months. It should ideally be indicated on the packaging, with a sign called PAO (period after opening) that shows the picture of an opened jar with a number inside and an “M”. It indicates how many months it should remain effective after opening. Of course, this is only valid if you close it and store it properly in a cool and dry place.
The higher the SPF, the longer you can stay under the sun.
Myth
A higher SPF does not mean you can stay longer. It indicates better protection from UVB rays but doesn’t extend the safe duration of sun exposure. You should always reapply every two hours at least, and after swimming or sweating.
Sunscreens are cancerogenic.
Myth
Sunscreen ingredients pass very strict tests and regulations to make sure they do not harm anyone. Some ingredients can cause irritation in sensitive or atopic skin, but this is not related to cancer. If your skin reacts to chemical filters, we recommend using specific sunscreens with mineral filters, designed for sensitive skin.
You won’t get enough Vitamin D if always wearing sunscreen.
Myth
You can still get Vitamin D while wearing sunscreen. A certain amount of UV rays reaches your skin even when wearing sunscreen, and incidental sun exposure adds to this. This is more than enough for your body to produce Vitamin D. Furthermore, you also get it from your diet. There is no need at all to risk serious sun damage to get vitamin D.
Clothing protects your skin from sun damage.
Myth
Only specific clothing designed to block sunrays and labeled as UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) properly protect from the sun. Regular clothing can provide some protection, but it is not as effective as people may think. Generally, thick and dark clothes block more rays than light and thin fabrics, but sun rays can still penetrate. To give you an idea, about the 20% of sun rays reach your skin if you are wearing a white cotton T-shirt.
Sunbathing causes wrinkles.
Fact
Sun exposure is the major accelerator of skin aging. UV radiation leads to the formation of free radicals that breakdown collagen and elastin, resulting in less elasticity and firmness, wrinkles, and elastosis. On the top of that, sun exposure also triggers or worsens skin discoloration.
Is it really that bad? Yes, much worse than most people think. Check this article if you want to know more: PHOTOAGING: WHY AND HOW SUN EXPOSURE ACCELERATES THE SKIN AGING PROCESS
Dark skin tones don’t need to wear sunscreen.
Myth
Darker skin tones have more melanin than fair ones, which provides some better protection against UV rays, but it does not eliminate the risk. Everybody can suffer from sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer, so we all need protection from UV rays. Also, the darker your skin, the more easily you can develop skin discoloration or hyperpigmentation due to producing more melanin.
No sunscreen is 100% water resistant.
Fact
Correct. Although water-resistant sunscreens are made to resist water much better than non-water-resistant ones, they need to be reapplied after swimming or sweating as indicated on the label.
You don’t need to wear sunscreen if it is cloudy and rainy.
Myth
We already know that sun rays can penetrate clothes, right? So, they can also pass through a mass of gas…If the light is passing through the clouds, it means that you should wear sunscreen, regardless of whether it is cloudy or not.
Obviously, sun is stronger during summertime and the peak hours of the day. There are weather apps that tell you how strong the UV index is on a given day.
