| Key Points to choose the right sun block | | | | longer you can stay out of the sun without |
| Sun block is very important to protect your skin | | | | burning. For example, if it takes 15 minutes for a |
| and prevent the skin cancer. But how to choose | | | | person to burn, an SPF 15 will allow them to stay |
| the right sun block??? When you purchase it, you | | | | out in the sun 15 times longer without burning. |
| should consider: SPF, UVA & UVB and | | | | 3. Waterproof vs. Water Resistant |
| Waterproof & Water resistant. | | | | If you are looking for a sunscreen to use while in |
| 1. UVA, UVB Protection | | | | the water, choose a sunscreen that is |
| Sunlight travels in waves and includes both visible | | | | "waterproof" or "water resistant." |
| light and invisible ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Visible | | | | "Waterproof" sunscreen should provide protection |
| and UV light sit adjacent to one another on the | | | | in the water for 80 minutes, while "water |
| electromagnetic spectrum. Basically, there are two | | | | resistant" provides only 40 minutes of protection. |
| types of ultraviolet radiations that can ultimately | | | | Tip & warning |
| lead damages to the skin, UVA and UVB: | | | | - If you are worried about the sunscreen stinging |
| UVA rays (320-400 nm) penetrate skin deeply, | | | | your eyes while sweating during strenuous |
| causing aging, wrinkles and potentially skin cancer. | | | | activity, choose a sports sunscreen – they |
| UVB rays (290-320 nm) are sunburn-causing solar | | | | dry quickly and often come in a stick format; |
| rays; they can also contribute to skin cancer. | | | | - Not because a product claims it protects from |
| The American Cancer Society reports that more | | | | both UVA and UVB means it has the actives to |
| than 1 million non-melanoma cases of skin cancer | | | | offer protection from both. You should always |
| diagnosed annually in the U.S. are sun-related. UV | | | | read the label to know the truth. |
| light can also weaken the body's immune system. | | | | - Do not use a product with a higher SPF than 50. |
| UVA light presents a subtle threat to our skin. | | | | The testing required for such products have not |
| Unlike a UVB-caused sunburn, it creates no | | | | been approved by the FDA as yet. |
| discomfort and its impact (wrinkles and other | | | | - Higher SPF does not mean more protection. |
| signs of premature aging) may not become | | | | Reapply the product if you feel the need to have |
| apparent for years. | | | | more coverage. |
| 2. SPF | | | | - Once you have made your purchase, it is |
| SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and | | | | important to store your sunscreen at room |
| measures the protection against UVB provided by | | | | temperature. Sunscreen is generally good for |
| a sunscreen. The higher the SPF number, the | | | | about three years or until the expiration date on |
| better protection against the sun's harmful UVB | | | | the bottle. However, if you notice any changes in |
| rays. The SPF number lets you know how much | | | | color or odor, the product should be thrown out. |