Are you confused by all the sunscreen options and ingredients? From information about water resistant sunscreens to SPF 50 to broad spectrum protection,Vargas Face and Skin Center has you covered.
Sunscreens are products combining several ingredients that help prevent the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation from reaching the skin. Two types of ultraviolet radiation,UVA and UVB, damage the skin and increase your risk of skin cancer. Sunscreens vary in their ability to protect against UVA and UVB.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is part of the electromagnetic (light) spectrum that reaches the earth from the sun. It has wavelengths shorter than visible light, making it invisible to the naked eye. Ultraviolet A (UVA) is the longer wave UV ray that causes lasting skin damage, skin aging, and can cause skin cancer. Ultraviolet B (UVB) is the shorter wave UV ray that causes sunburns, skin damage, and can cause skin cancer.
SPF – or Sun Protection Factor – is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB from damaging the skin. Here’s how it works: If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer – about five hours. Most sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher do an excellent job of protecting against UVB.
What Does Broad-Spectrum Mean?
Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Beginning in December 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will implement new rules for “broad-spectrum” products.
ComeintodayandcheckoutourlineofBroadSPectrumUVA/UVBChecmicalandPhysicalBlockSunScreens!!
2 comments
HV
July 12, 2012 at 5:35 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks Tiffany. Good info especially now with so many people at the pool trying to stay cool or outdoors trying to keep up with their kids/grandkids activities. A bit more on sunblock.
Sunblock comes in 2 basic varieties: chemical and physical. Chemical sunblock absorbs UV radiation while physical sun block reflects or scatters UV radiation. Physical sunblocks are made from titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. Some formulations combine these. It is felt that physical sunblock is better especially if you have pigmentation issues (think brown spots). This is an issue many of my patients deal with. I have a couple of physical blocks that I like by Skin Tx, Vivier and Elta.
Tiffany
July 13, 2012 at 1:42 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Stop in today and get a discount on all your summer sunscreen needs and to start getting that summer sun damage corrected today!!