A Warning to Sunbathers

A Warning to Sunbathers

Being sun smart means knowing your SPFs

It’s hard to pinpoint when America went around the bend in worshiping the bronzed god, but Hollywood no doubt bears a large measure of blame. Even before the movies went Technicolor and George Hamilton and Annette Funicello could prove by their antics that the suntanned really had more fun, moviegoers had already been subjected to years of glamorous Hollywood palm-tree and fun-in-the-sun imagery.

That cinematic fantasy, happily perpetuated by suntan lotion advertising, remains very alive today. According. According to a recent survey for the American Academy of Dermatology, 59 percent of Americans view a tan as a sign of health and find that it enhances appearances.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, a tan is your skin’s way of showing that it’s been damaged by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Over the years, that damage will not only “age” your skin visibly – causing wrinkles, sags, an the kind of pigmentation changes associated with growing old – but it may even lead to skin cancer.

The key to being “sun smart” is to use a sunscreen on exposed skin whenever you’re outside. To help you choose the appropriate level of protection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now requires all sunscreen makers to rate the protective power of each of their products. A sunscreen with a sun-protection factor, or SPF, of two, allows you to stay in the sun without getting burned for twice as long as would otherwise be possible without a screen. An SPF of eight gives you eight times the protection.

In choosing a sunscreen, keep in mind the answers to the following questions:

Is there any difference between a sunscreen and a sunblock?

Yes, there is. Sunscreens are chemically based an allow some ultraviolet light to penetrate the sim no matter what their SPF. True sunblocks use mineral like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in an opaque cream or paste. They do not carry SPFs because their reflective powers are so complete that they do not allow any light to reach the screen.

Unfortunately, such products leave an unattractive chalky film on your skin. A few manufacturers now market hybrid products that a titanium dioxide to chemically based screens to give them reflective properties that they would not otherwise possess.

How high an SPF should I choose?

Dermatologists advise that use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. This will ensure the filtering out of most UV-B rays, the part of the ultraviolet light spectrum most responsible for sunburn and skin cancer.

Is a sunscreen’s SPF all that I need to worry about?

No. SPF only addresses a sunscreen’s ability to guard against UV-B radiation. Researchers have recently discovered that another kind of ultraviolet radiation, known as UV-A radiation, harms the skin’s connective tissue, resulting in visible aging and contributing to skin cancer in some cases.

What can be done to protect against UV-A radiation?

The best protection comes from sunscreens containing a chemical compound known as avobenzone. Some protection can also be gotten from products that contain oxybenzone, a common ingredient in many sunscreens.

Do I need sunscreen if I’m swimming?

Sunscreen is especially important if you’re swimming. Water magnifies the power of ultraviolet rays, ensuring that you will burn even more quickly in the water than on the beach unless the sunscreen you use is water-resistant. Even if it is, it’s a good idea to reapply it after leaving the water to ensure full protection.

What if I have an allergic reaction to sunscreens?

You should avoid sunscreens that contain that contain PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid). Many people are allergic to PABA, and many sunscreens now state on their package that they’re PABA-free (see How Sunscreens Stack Up, below). If you continue to get an allergic reaction, try the new titanium dioxide-based hybrid screens. They are the least likely to cause irritation.

Heidi Kum. Photo by Elena

How Sunscreens Stack Up

These leading brands of sunscreen are all waterproof

Product – Type – Protection provided – Contains RABA? Other features

Bain de Soleil Tropical Deluxe – Suntan lotion – UV-A – No – Retains its sun protection for at least 80 minutes in the water.

Oppertone Suntan lotion – Suntan lotion – UV-A, UV-B – No – Contains aloe and vitamin E.

Hawai’ian Tropic Sport – Sunblock – UV-A, UV-B – No – Waterproof and sweatproof, lasts 8 hours in the water.

Johnson & Johnson Sundown – Sunblock – UV-A, UV-B – No – Waterproof, lasts 80 minutes in the water. Schering Plough Shade – Sunscreen – UV-A, UV-B – No – Contains Parsol 1789; company claims it gives extra UVA protection.

Solar Suncare N-Ad – Sunscreen – No – Contains aloe, cocoa butter, and vitamin E.