Using sunblock is one of the best ways to protect your body from the harmful rays of the sun. The importance of sunblock products is often overlooked, and having information about the different aspects of its skin protecting agents can help you to make better choices when looking for sunblock.
What is Sunblock?
Sunblock is a material that comes in many forms, including lotions, creams, sprays and topical gel, that is used to protect the skin from harmful UV rays. The UV rays that the sun emits are thought to be responsible for sun damage and some types of skin cancers, so it is very important to apply sunblock to all areas of your body, including legs, arms, back, neck, torso and especially your ears and face.
What is SPF?
SPF is the abbreviation for "sun-protection-factor." This factor appears as a number on the bottle of sunblock. The sun-protection-factor ranges from 15 to 100. The greater the number the more protection the product offers. The amount of protection needed depends on several factors including age and skin type. Babies should use an SPF of around 75 to 100 and people with fair skin should use sunblocks that have an SPF of at least 30.
UVA and UVB
UVA and UVB are two types of ultraviolet rays that the sun produces. Not all sunblock is created equal. Sunblocks that protect against both UVA and UVB, and are thus classified as "broad spectrum," are recommended for everyone.
Application
When applying sunblock you should do so liberally. Concentrate the product on areas that are exposed to a greater amount of sun, such as the face, ears and neck. Apply plenty of sunblock on the rest of your body as well. If you are wearing a sleeveless shirt you should pay careful attention to your shoulders. Also, a commonly missed spot is the top of the feet when wearing sandals.
Ingredients
There are two types of ingredients in sunblock. The first are chemical, including ingredients such as avobenzone and dioxybenzone, which protect against UVA rays, and salicylates and oxybenzone, which protect against UVB rays. The other ingredients are physical ingredients, because they sit on the skin's surface producing a barrier. These ingredients cannot be absorbed into the skin. Both of these types of ingredients work together to make a product that will prevent sunburn if used properly.
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