Sunscreen prevents ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun from damaging your skin. Just one bad sunburn can cause skin cancer later in life, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Protecting your skin by using sunscreen daily and choosing the right type of sunscreen for your skin are important steps to take in avoiding sun damage.
Identification
Two types of sun rays, called ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), cause the sunburns and suntans that damage the skin. UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, while UVA rays cause wrinkling, sagging and leathering of the skin, due to the deeper penetration of these rays. UVA rays may worsen the cancer-causing effects of UVB rays and may cause skin cancer on their own, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF). Sunscreen, available in cream, ointment, gel or spray form, contains chemicals that reflect and absorb sun rays, preventing rays from reaching and penetrating the skin.
Types
Sunscreen can be formulated to block UVA, UVB or a combination of these rays. Many sunscreens available in drug or grocery stores provide broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Broad spectrum sunscreens contain a mixture of chemicals, including homosalate, benzophenone, octylsalicylate, octylmethoxycinnamate, padimate O, octocrylene, avobenzone, mexoryl and oxybenzone. Water-resistant sunscreen is formulated to remain on the skin longer when exposed to water or sweat. Sunscreen can also be found in other cosmetic products, such as makeup, moisturizer and aftershave lotion. Some people are allergic to broad spectrum sunscreens that contain octylmethoxycinnamate and other PABA derivatives, but may be able to use types of sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide.
Sun Protection Factor
Sunscreen strength is measured by the sun protection factor (SPF). The higher the SPF, the longer it will protect your skin from the sun's rays. If you normally begin to burn after 30 minutes of sun exposure, using an SPF 15 sunscreen will increase the amount of time you can spend in the sun by 15 times, allowing you to remain burn-free for over seven hours.
Considerations
Sunscreen must be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to bind to your skin, according to the SCF. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours and after swimming, sweating or using your towel to dry yourself. While water-resistant sunscreen will stay on the skin longer than other types of sunscreen, it must be reapplied during the day for best protection.
Warning
Sunscreen use is just as important on cloudy days as it is on sunny days. Despite the clouds, rays can still reach your skin and cause damage. Sunburn doesn't just occur in warm weather, but can also happen in the middle of the winter. Snow is effective at reflecting the sun's rays and sun damage can occur, even if you don't feel the warming effect of the sun.
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