Does a high SPF mean better sun protection? This is what you need to know

Despite what you may have heard, people with dark skin should wear sunscreen, and shaving their hair won’t make it grow thicker again. At Myth Busters, we debunk common beauty misconceptions and set the record straight.

© Getty Images
Dermatologists discuss the science behind sun protection.

In 2020, one thing we know for sure is that SPF is an important part of skin care. It is important to submit a request not only when we are at the beach, but daily, even on days when we do not go out. Most of the time, some level of SPF can be found in our BB creams, foundations, sprays, and powder makeup, but of course the most obvious displays are in the sunscreen we slather on while sitting together to the pool. Without it, we risk exposing our skin to general sun damage, premature aging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and more.

But how much SPF is essential? When it comes to understanding what those numbers really mean on sunscreen bottles, things can get a little confusing. While it would seem obvious that a higher SPF means higher level protection, that might not be entirely true. To clear up any confusion about SPF numbers and what they mean, we asked a dermatologist to explain. In this way, we can discover once and for all whether a greater number means better sun protection or not.

What does SPF stand for?

SPF stands for “sun protection factor”. It measures how much the product protects the ultraviolet rays from your skin.

What does SPF protect from?

SPF is essentially a measure of the ability of sunscreen to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. These are the two types of UV rays that can damage the DNA of skin cells and cause skin cancer, so when looking for a good sunscreen, you need to make sure that the product protects you from both. This is usually denoted by the phrase “broad spectrum” on the label of a sunscreen product.

By the Skin Cancer Foundation:

• UVB Rays cause sunburn and play a key role in the development of skin cancer. The SPF number of a sunscreen mainly refers to the amount of UVB protection it provides.
• GRAPE Lightning strikes cause skin damage leading to tanning and skin aging and wrinkling. The shorter wavelengths of UVA rays also contribute to sunburn.

Ideally, you will want to use a sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection.

© Provided by Hello Giggles
Elta MD

Buy it! $ 28, Amazon.com

What does the SPF number mean?

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “The SPF number tells you how long it would take UV radiation from the sun to redden your skin when you use the product exactly as directed compared to the amount of time without any sunscreen.”

New York-based dermatologist Hadley King, MD breaks it down further by explaining the basic calculation. She says, “If it takes a minute for your unprotected skin to start turning red in the sun, wearing an SPF 15 sunscreen should prevent redness 15 more times. So the number of minutes it takes for your unprotected skin to turn red multiplied by the SPF gives you the theoretical number of minutes your protected skin will take before it turns red. ”

Because of this, dermatologists like Dr. King follow guidelines set by the American Academy of Dermatology, which recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. “SPF 30 blocks around 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays, “she says. “Higher SPFs block slightly more of the sun’s UVB rays, but remember: no sunscreen can block 100 percent of the sun’s UVB rays.”

Does a sunscreen with a high SPF protect the skin better than one with a lower SPF?

The effectiveness of your SPF, no matter how high it is, depends on how well (and how often) you apply it. Dermatologists generally recommend a quarter-size tablespoon for your face and a shot glass-sized serving for your body. So keep in mind that just because you apply SPF 50 or 100 doesn’t mean you can spend more time outdoors without reapplying.

The American Academy of Dermatology explains that high-number SPFs last the same amount of time as low-number SPFs. Based on the organization’s recommendation, all sunscreens should be reapplied approximately every two hours outdoors (even on cloudy days), while staying indoors and after swimming or sweating, according to instructions on the bottle .

However, the research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology proved that SPF 100+ was significantly more effective in protecting you from sunburn. These results are consistent with the fact that SPF 50 sunscreens allow twice as many harmful UV rays to reach the skin compared to SPF 100 sunscreens. The study found that after approximately six hours of sun exposure, more half of the participants had more sunburns on the face side to which they had applied an SPF 50+ sunscreen compared to only 5% who had more sunburns on the SPF 100+ side.

To put it in perspective, an SPF of 15 correlates to 93.3% of UVB absorption, while SPF 30 correlates to 96.7%, SPF 45 correlates to 97.8%, and SPF 50 correlates to 98% UVB absorption, according to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Dermatology and Aesthetics. If you’re prone to sunburn or have a skin condition, you should still go for the higher number, but the American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use sunscreen. at least offers the following:

• Broad spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays)
• SPF 30 or higher
• Waterproof

© Provided by Hello Giggles
Banana boat

Buy it! $ 9.97, Amazon.com

Also, Jamal Downer, a Walgreens pharmacist and sunscreen expert, tells HelloGiggles that sunscreens with a higher SPF often have a thicker consistency, which may make them less likely to be applied correctly. Because of this, sometimes a lower SPF that is applied more frequently can offer similar protection.

Sunscreen is also only part of protecting your skin from the sun. “It is also important to avoid peak UV hours, seek shade, wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, and wear sunglasses that block UV rays,” says Dr. King.

Video: How to remove the gel manicure without going to the salon (Instyle)