Ah yes, sunscreen – that ever-present lotion in the Sunshine State that also seems to have never-ending debates about how well it works. If you are old enough, then you remember when sunscreen only came in lotion form prior to these convenient sprays. Kids felt like they were standing there for an eternity getting lathered up before they could go play in the pool or on the beach. With sunscreen sprays the process goes much quicker, and your hands aren’t covered from applying it on others either!
It seems there are constant discussions and debates about sunscreen. What do the different SPFs mean? What ingredients are safe? We thought it would be a good idea to take a closer look at the most current research to answer some of your questions regarding sunscreen.
Q: What does SPF mean?
A: SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor which is supposed to represent how long a sunscreen will provide protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Q: Does sunscreen go deeper than my skin?
A: Yes, it does, depending on the ingredients. Some sunscreen ingredients can be detected in the blood, urine, and even breast milk, according to EWG.
Q: Is zinc oxide safe?
A: Absolutely. Zinc oxide is considered the safest and most effective active sunscreen ingredient. Zinc oxide is a natural mineral. Natural is almost always, if not always, safer than manufactured! Also, zinc oxide stays on the surface of the skin and is not absorbed into the bloodstream like some other sunscreen ingredients.
Q: What are the different SPF numbers?
A: In a nutshell, the number signifies how many times longer it should take your skin to redden than without sunscreen. The lower the SPF number the more often it will need to be applied. The exact time frame sunscreen works can’t be precise for each person, so re-applying sooner rather than later is always safe.
Q: Are there any natural sunscreens?
A: Well, as we mentioned, zinc oxide is a natural mineral and the safest and most effective sunscreen ingredient. You may also want to check out apps that lists the ingredients in items and rates how natural they are. However, keep in mind that natural doesn’t equal effective. You want to make sure that the natural ingredients actually protect you from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays or you will find out the hard way with a severe sunburn!
We often forget that when we are in our vehicles, homes, and at work that we are still being exposed to the sun’s rays through the windows. That is why it is best to wear sunscreen every day. While you may not be receiving enough of the sun’s rays to get a sunburn, your skin can still be getting sun-damaged without you even realizing it. This is one reason why you may have more wrinkles than you like or might develop sunspots.
In order to help combat the sun’s harmful rays, we suggest that you call us at Solar Solutions. We are a window tinting company that has been in the industry for over twenty years. We apply the highest grade Solar Gard window tint to your vehicle’s, home’s, or commercial building’s windows which block over 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays! Solar Solutions is located in Vero Beach and serves our surrounding communities such as Melbourne, Palm Bay, Sebastian, and Fort Pierce with our window tinting services. Do your part to protect your skin by calling us today.