What is SPF?
If you have ever purchased a bottle of sunscreen, you have probably asked the question What is SPF?, SPF is an acronym for “Sun Protection Factor” and it is designed to help us estimate how long we can remain exposed to the sun without getting burned.
Sunscreens and their corresponding SPF numbers were created back in the early sixties as a way to measure the effectiveness of various lotions in stopping the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin. The sun is known to emit a couple of different kinds of rays. Ultraviolet A, or UVA rays, are long waves, and ultraviolet B (UVB) are short waves.
In simple terms, UVB waves are recognized as those that generally cause sunburn, while UVA waves are often connected with more long term skin damage. SPF numbers identify a sunscreen’s ability to guard against these sunburn-causing waves.
The need for sunscreen is very important as the ultraviolet rays produced by the sun are capable of changing the DNA of the skin. This can often lead to genetic mutations in the structure of the skin’s layers and that can eventually manifest into cancer.
The World Health Organization and other groups have identified ultraviolet radiation as the leading cause for multiple types of skin cancer such as melanoma. Overall, its negative health effects impact more than one million people around the globe every year.
SPF numbers were essentially designed as a way to measure the stopping power of sunscreens in blocking these dangerous UV rays. These numbers are not 100% accurate but can give a consumer a good idea of how long they could be protected from long term exposure to the sun.
The system is somewhat subjective in that you take the average amount of time that it would normally take you to burn in the sun and multiply those minutes by the SPF number to determine a “safe” exposure window. In addition, the scales don’t really take into account your current activity levels, type of clothing being worn, and other key things that could detract from its ability to protect your skin.
As an example of how it works, if you would normally start burning after a period of 10 minutes in the sun, a SPF 30 sunblock would potentially offer you about 300 minutes of protection.
In simple terms, the answer to “What is SPF” comes down to how long it takes the sun to redden your skin once the sunscreen is applied. The higher the SPF number, the longer this process will take. Again, this measurement is critical because once the skin begins to redden, sunburn and other far more damaging effects can result soon after.
In the end, it’s far more important to have a complete understanding of ultraviolet light and how it may lead to some serious health problems in the future versus answering the What is SPF? question. Skin cancer is a very serious disease and it’s crucial that you protect yourself from UV rays whether you are indoors or out.
New Information on What is a Sunscreen and Broad Spectrum Sunscreens
You may have heard recently about new changes in labeling that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has regulated for products starting in the summer of 2012. In case you haven’t the main reasoning is so consumers have a better understanding of what the lotion they are buying protects against. They strongly suggest that any sunscreen applied have a broad spectrum sunscreens label so that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Many lotions do not protect adequately against UVA rays at present.
Take a quick look at how the FDA has put together a very simple video to explain how sunscreens work below:
In addition to the the broad spectrum labeling there will be tougher requirement to provide information on how water resistant the lotion is and if making strong claims on SPF50+ proof will have to be provided. Here is a list of consimer labeling changes the FDA expects to be in place by this summer:
To help consumers select and use sunscreens appropriately, the final regulations include these additional labeling provisions:
- Sunscreen products that are not broad spectrum or that are broad spectrum with SPF values from 2 to14 will be labeled with a warning that reads: “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.”
- Water resistance claims on the product’s front label must tell how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Two times will be permitted on labels: 40 minutes or 80 minutes.
- Manufacturers cannot make claims that sunscreens are “waterproof” or “sweatproof, or identify their products as “sunblocks.” Also, sunscreens cannot claim protection immediately on application (for example, “instant protection”) or protection for more than two hours without reapplication, unless they submit data and get approval from FDA.
For now some manufacturer already label their products as broad spectrum and I would start to look at those as first choices. Many of the Blue Lizard Skin sunscreen products have been designed to meet what were already stricter guidelines in Australia so even if the labeling isn’t yet there you can look at those as good choices.
Sunscreen Protection from a PIll?
Image by AKZOphoto via Flickr
I really never thought I would hear that our defense against the sun would ever come in the form of a pill. It doesn’t sound like something that would be healthy or without substantial risk of side effects. Recently though the folks
at Discovery News reported on a new pill being developed that would do just that, It is based off of natural sunscreens produced from algae by coral. It was found that fish which fed on the coral also experienced sunscreen benefits. This is why there is hope for a pill that will be effective.
Researchers from Kings College London travelled to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef where the team collected coral samples for analysis. Accompanying the group were professors from from the Australian Institute for Marine Science and the University of Maine.”What we have found is that the algae living within the coral makes a compound that we think is transported to the coral, which then modifies it into a sunscreen for the benefit of both the coral and the algae,”
Additionally, the article went on to tell us of several other beneficial uses that this discovery might lead to.
Long says that his team is very close to reproducing the compound and it could be available within the next two years. The researchers also envision the compound being used to genetically modify plants to repel harsh sunlight in the drought prone regions of developing countries. ”This could be a way of providing a sustainable nutrient-rich food source, particularly in need for Third World economies,” said Dr. Long
If you would like to read more checkout the source at: DiscoveryNews
Do New FDA regulations Ban SPF 100 Suntan Products?
A new set of regulations from the FDA which will take effect this summer is likely to confuse consumers as to what to purchase and whether what they have been using is as effective as they thought that it was. One of the most highly effected product lines are those which claim maximum protection such as SPF 100 products.
Our trusted sources at WebMD reported:
A proposed new rule would prevent products from claiming an SPF factor higher than 50. The highest permitted rating will be “50+,” because the FDA says there’s no convincing data that SPF levels higher than 50 are meaningful. However, manufacturers will be given time to submit data on special populations that might benefit from sunscreens with SPF factors over 50.
The new rules are supposed to make it easier for people to buy and use sunscreens. But they raise a lot of questions.
Related to the original FDA report WebMd also put together a panel of Doctors to discuss questions about what all this means as well as the most significant rules shown below.
- The new rules will take effect by summer 2012, although some sunscreen makers will launch their new labels before then.
- The claim “broad spectrum” will appear only on sunscreens tested for a minimum standard of UVA protection.
- All sunscreens will carry their SPF rating. On products without the broad-spectrum claim, SPF will rate only UVB protection. On broad-spectrum sunscreens, higher SPF numbers mean more protection against UVB as well as more protection against UVA.
- Sunscreens that claim to be water resistant must show how long they last after a person has been swimming or sweating: 40 minutes or 80 minutes. Sunscreens that are not water resistant will have to say so in the “fact box” on the side or back of the package.
- As do other over-the-counter drugs, sunscreens will now have a fact box listing warnings and other important information in an easy-to-find location.
I would urge everyone to take a look at that Q & A discussion which is located at WebMd.
One other very troubling thing in the FDA report was a new requirement placed on companies to prove the effectiveness of spray-on Suntan products. It seems they believe that people don’t apply enough of the product to get the labeled effectiveness without further labeling directions and also they seem to be skeptical as to whether the stated SPF levels can be reached with the products. Personally, I have always found that the convenience factor of spray-ons makes people pull it out and use it more often. My own personal approach when outdoors for prolonged periods is to use a topical lotion or gel for ultimate protection at first , and then to apply a spray-on every 1 to 2 hours after that. Hopefully we will find out that we are getting what we pay for and that these products will be around, but maybe with some labeling and name modifications that make the government happy.
Additionally, it was stressed by the panel as I have done so many times on this site that people should not rely only on lotions and sprays for protection. A more comprehensive approach that incorporates sunglasses, and physical blocks such as clothing made with sun filtering fabrics and a good hat are called for.
SPF 100 Sunscreens for Maximum Sun Protection
Several years ago, it was common to see sunscreen products on the market with an SPF in the range of 15-45. Today, it is not uncommon to find companies touting products with SPF 100 and sometimes even higher.
Although there is still some debate as to how much better an SPF 100 sunscreen is compared to an SPF 50, consumers seem to like the idea of having a more powerful sunscreen as many of them don’t hesitate to buy such products.
Here are some of the more popular SPF 100 sunscreens:
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch – SPF 100
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry is an SPF 100 sunblocker that provides maximum protection from both UVA and UVA rays. Ultra Sheer Dry Touch is proven to provide a 99% protection rate against damage from sunburn. It goes on without whitening your skin, absorbs fast, and is waterproof. It also features Helioplex which is a special sunscreen technology that helps to deliver superior protection from dangerous UV rays.
- SPF 100 sunscreen
- Features Neutrogena Helioplex technology
- Fast Absorbing
- Waterproof
- Non-greasy
- No excessive smell
Customers appeared to be very happy with the overall performance of Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch. It was noted that it provided protection from both UVA and UVB rays and was very easy to apply. Unlike some sunscreens, it was not greasy once it was absorbed into the skin and did not contain an overpowering perfume smell. It was mentioned that you should avoid using Ultra Sheer Dry Touch too close to your eyes as it did create a burning sensation.
Neutrogena Spectrum and Sunblock Lotion – SPF 100
Consumers are becoming more educated on the potential damage that the sun can cause and have been far more diligent in using high quality products to protect their skin.
Neutrogena Spectrum and Sunblock is an SPF 100 sunblock that includes Helioplex 360 technology. It offers both UVA and UVB protection and helps to prevent oxidative skin damage caused by extended exposure to ultraviolet rays.
- Protects against sun-caused aging
- Provides deep cellular level protection
- Prevents appearance of fine lines and skin discolorations
- Waterproof
- Non-greasy application
- Will not create clogged pores
Customers who used Neutrogena Spectrum+ were very excited about this product and the fact that it went on very smooth despite having a high SPF. Some commented that similar products were chalky but that Spectrum+ could be applied very easily. A few customers commented on the fact that it was great for the face and that they did not have any issues with it coming off as a result of sweating. Overall, this is a great sunscreen for anyone looking for high SPF protection.
Neutrogena Ultimate Sport – SPF 100
One of the major drawbacks to using a sunscreen is that many of them will simply wash off after just a few minutes of physical activity. Neutrogena Ultimate Sport Sunblock Spray has solved that problem with a specially designed SPF 100 spray-type sunblock that stays on even while exercising.
- Perfect for vigorous activities
- Highly waterproof
- Lightweight spray formula
- Features Helioplex technology
Customers loved Neutrogena Ultimate Sport because they did not have to worry about losing the protection of their sunscreen in the middle of physical activity. It was easy to apply and did not feel thick or greasy to the touch. The product got really great reviews in terms of quality, ease of application, and the fact that it pretty much stayed on all day.
For SPF 100 choices online, there are many options available to keep you and your family safe and protected from the sun’s damaging rays.