pure:edge lifestyle blog

Understanding sun protection factor (SPF)

Despite the fact that it is significantly overcast as I blog, we would all agree that the warmth of the sun invigorates mind, body and soul. So, in the hope that it will come back for the rest of the summer here how to ensure you get the best out of your sun cream and protect your skin.

We all enjoy the sun and with it comes the formation of vitamin D (helps maintain strong and healthy bones by retaining calcium) and the formation of important hormones in our bodies. However, along with light and warmth come invisible UV rays and too much exposure to UV rays can cause sunburn and damage your skin.

Skin Type
See the table below, generally, the paler your hair and skin, the quicker you are likely to burn. You must protect your skin from the sun with a sun protection factor suited to your particular skin type. Sun protection factors give an idea of how much longer each skin type can stay in the sun (than they would be able to naturally) without getting burnt. There is no need to experience sun burn and it is very bad for your skin.

Example:
Skin type 1 should stay in the sun no more than 10 minutes without protection. If they use a factor 15 sun cream this would mean they could stay out in the sun for 150 minutes (10 minutes x 15 = 150 minutes). If they used a factor 30, they could stay out in the sun for 300 minutes (10 minutes x 30). Skin type 4 on the hand can stay in the sun for 30 minutes without protection. Apply a factor 15 and they can stay out in the sun for 450 minutes (30 minutes x 15).

It’s a simple formula: the maximum time you can stay in the sun without getting burnt x the factor in your sun cream = how long you can stay in the sun and remain protected

Skin Type      Characteristics       Skin Reaction             Exposure Time
Type I           Very pale skin,        Goes red,                     5 – 10 minutes
                     pale eyes,               doesn’t tan,
                     red hair                   burns quickly

Type II          Pale skin, light         Goes red,                  10 – 20 minutes
                     or dark eyes,           burns easily
                     blonde hair              rarely tans,

Type III         Light brown skin,     Tans reasonably        15 – 25 minutes
                    fair or brown             well, occasionally
                    hair                           burns

Type IV        Brown skin,              Tans quickly,              20 – 30 minutes

For more on sun care visit pure:edge and the article Skin, DNA and Sun Damage.

Posted by Sara Brown, 06/08/08