Avoid Confusion Between Sunblock And Sunscreen!

Worried about protecting your skin from harmful UV rays? Sunblock is very helpful in protecting your skin from UV rays emerging from sun. A sunblock can physically block the absorption of UV rays of your skin. It is usually categorized into two types: one is physical sun block and other is chemical sunblock. The most popular chemical sun block is zinc oxide.



Don’t get confused with sunscreen and sunblock.

Most of the people get confused with sunblock and sunscreen and more often use the words interchangeably. Sunblock is different from sunscreen. Sunscreen protects your skin from the absorption of UV radiations where as sunblock physically blocks the rays of ultra violet, penetrating into your skin.

Sunblocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are very effective in protecting your skin from several sunburns and skin cancers. They are often visible and appear white on your skin. On the other hand, sunscreens are invisible and absorb the UV rays of sun falling on your skin.

Sunscreens usually contain benzophenones, which are very helpful in the protection of UVA radiations. Cinnamates and salicytes are very useful for protecting your skin from UVB rays. (Read How Sunscreen Work)

How to choose best sunblock for your skin?

Sunblocks are very helpful in protecting your skin from the absorption of UVA and UVB radiations. Usually these sunblocks are rated with sun protection factor (SPF). This rating indicates how long a sunscreen can be effective for your skin after the application.

Sunblocks usually vary from person to person. A sunblock used for UVA and UVB protection must usually have SPF rating of 30, is normally recommended for every one. It is very useful for daily use. You can determine how long can your sunblock will be effective by multiplying this SPF factor by the time duration for which your skin can resist sun burns.

For example, you normally develop sunburns within 15 minutes after exposure of your skin to sun without wearing any sunscreen. A sunscreen with SPF of 20 can protect your skin for 300 minutes (15 min multiplied with SPF of 20).

The ingredients used in a sunblock also vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and can be categorized into chemical and physical. Chemical sunblocks works well by absorbing UV rays before they cause harm to your skin where as physical sunblocks reflects UV rays before they reach to your skin.

Sunblocks are available in the market in many different forms like lotions, creams, sprays, oils and also gels. Water resistant sunblocks are also available for the people, those who are involved in water sports. It is very important for you to check the label of the product before purchasing.

Try different types of sunblocks and choose the one which is suitable for your skin. If any of the sunblock is resulting in rashes or any allergic reactions, then try another brand or form of sunblock and protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

source : skincarebeautyzone.com

How Does Sunscreen Work?

By combining organic and inorganic active ingredients.

Sunscreen works by combining organic and inorganic active ingredients. Inorganic ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Organic ingredients like octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC) or oxybenzone absorb UV radiation, dissipating it as heat. Some sunscreens protect us from the two types of damaging UV radiation: UV-A and UV-B. Both UV-A and UV-B cause sunburns and damaging effects such as skin cancer.

Ultraviolet radiation is broken into three types of wavelengths:

• UV-A: This is the longest wavelength and is not absorbed by the ozone. It penetrates the skin deeper than UV-B.
• UV-B: Responsible for sunburns. It is partially blocked by the ozone layer.
• UV-C: This is totally absorbed by the earth's atmosphere; we encounter it only from artificial radiation sources.

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.

source : loc.gov

Best Sunscreen: Understand Sunscreen Options

What's the best way to sort through the details on sunscreens?

Start by looking beyond the topic of best sunscreen. Get back to the bigger picture, which is protecting yourself from the sun. Here are three main things to keep in mind:

• Avoid the sun during peak hours. Generally, this is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — regardless of season. These are prime hours for exposure to skin-damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, even on overcast days.
• Wear protective clothing. This includes pants, shirts with long sleeves, and sunglasses. Top it off with a wide-brimmed hat. In addition, consider investing in special sun-protective clothing for golf, gardening, walking, running — even swimming.
• Use sunscreen. Liberal use of sunscreen is a key part of any program to protect yourself from the sun.

What does the term 'broad spectrum' mean when applied to sunscreens?

There are two types of UV light that can harm your skin — UVA and UVB. A broad-spectrum, or full-spectrum, sunscreen is designed to protect you from both.

UVA rays can penetrate deeply into your skin and suppress your immune system. This increases the risk of wrinkling and age spots. UVB rays can burn your skin. Too much exposure to both UVA and UVB rays raises your risk of skin tumors, including a form of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. The best sunscreen offers protection from all UV light.

Does the best sunscreen also have the highest SPF?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. This is a measure of how well the sunscreen deflects UVB rays. Currently, there's no standard for measuring UVA protection.

Manufacturers calculate SPF based on how long it takes to sunburn skin that's been treated with the sunscreen as compared with skin that hasn't been treated with sunscreen. Theoretically, the best sunscreen has the highest SPF number. Many dermatologists recommend using a product with an SPF of 30 or more. However, no one really agrees on a "good" SPF number. A sunscreen with an SPF of 60 might be better than one with an SPF of 30, but not necessarily — and the SPF 60 product isn't likely to be twice as effective as the SPF 30 product.

To understand this, remember how sunscreen is typically used. It might not be applied thoroughly or thickly enough, and it might be perspired away or washed off while swimming. All this can make even the best sunscreen less effective than the SPF number on the bottle would lead you to believe.

Are spray sunscreens better than other types of sunscreen?

You can use sunscreen that comes in any form: spray, lotion, cream, wax stick or powder. Your choice is a matter of personal preference and which area of the body you're covering. If you have dry skin, you might prefer a cream — especially for your face. A gel might work better for areas covered with hair, such as the scalp.

Which sunscreen ingredients are best?

To ensure broad-spectrum protection, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends sunscreens with any of the following ingredients:

* Avobenzone
* Cinoxate
* Ecamsule
* Menthyl anthranilate
* Octyl methoxycinnamate
* Octyl salicylate
* Oxybenzone
* Sulisobenzone

You might encounter warnings that sunscreens with oxybenzone can irritate your skin, especially if you're sensitive to skin care products. However, a recent analysis of 64 studies indicates that sunscreens with 1 to 6 percent oxybenzone don't pose a significant risk of skin sensitization or irritation for most people.

In addition to sunscreens based on the chemicals listed above, you can now choose from a number of mineral-based sunscreens — sometimes referred to as "inorganic." Their main ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Neither one of these seems to penetrate the skin, and sunscreens based on these ingredients appear to be safe as well as effective.

Are some brands of sunscreen better than others?

Try several different brands to see which works best for you. Brand matters less than how you use the product. In general, look for water-resistant, broad-spectrum coverage with an appropriate SPF — at least 15. Check the expiration date, and follow the directions on the label.

What about claims that sunscreen is ineffective?

Even the best sunscreen isn't perfect. Many sunscreens especially fall down when it comes to UVA protection. In addition, sunscreen use alone isn't thought to prevent all skin cancers. Yet sunscreens are getting better, and using them is certainly better than using nothing at all.

Is there any truth to the claim that sunscreen use can actually increase the risk of melanoma?

Researchers don't understand why people develop melanoma — a serious form of skin cancer. There are several different types of melanoma, and not all types are equally linked to sun damage. Genetics plays a key role as well. Many factors are involved, which makes it hard to link sunscreen use with skin cancer.

If you have any risk factors for skin cancer — especially a family history of the disease — be sure to consult a dermatologist. Also remember this advice from the AAD: "Check your birthday suit on your birthday." If you notice any changes in your skin, such as growths or bleeding, consult a dermatologist right away. When detected early, most forms of skin cancer are quite treatable.

What else is it important to remember about using sunscreen?

When you use sunscreen:

• Apply generous amounts of sunscreen to dry skin 30 minutes before you go outdoors.
• Use sunscreen on all skin surfaces that will be exposed to sun — especially your face, ears, hands, arms and lips. If you don't have much hair on your head, apply sunscreen to the top of your head or wear a hat.
• Coat your skin well and rub sunscreen in thoroughly.
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours — more often if you're perspiring.
• Reapply sunscreen immediately after swimming.
• Remember that sand, water and snow reflect sunlight and make it even more important to use sunscreen.
• Since UVA rays penetrate glass and clouds, use sunscreen even when it's cloudy or you're indoors but in rooms with lots of windows.

You can apply sunscreen to children as young as age 6 months. Keep younger children in the shade as much as possible.

What's the bottom line on sunscreen?

Use sunscreen year-round, but don't let any product lull you into a false sense of security about exposure to the sun. A combination of shade, clothing, sunscreen and common sense is your best bet.

source : mayoclinic