Summer is here and the pools are open. Hamilton Pool, Lake Travis and Barton springs are a stone’s throw away. And who doesn’t enjoy a quick trip to Port A or Padre Island? Whether you’re lounging, enjoying water sports, fishing, or socializing make sure you have adequate skin protection along for the trip.
How to Make Sure Your Sunscreen Is Adequate
There are several keys to ensure you have an adequate product. You need to select a product that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays and provides a level of protection of at least SPF 30. Selecting UVA and UVB protection is usually as simple as choosing a “broad spectrum” product. Most brands will prominently feature this on the product label. If you do not see this on your preferred brand check the active ingredients. Ensure that zinc oxide, avobenzone, or less commonly titanium dioxide are listed in your active ingredients. The industry does not measure effectiveness of UVA blocking with SPF or a comparable unit of measure so you just want to make sure your product includes one of these ingredients.
SPF is the key measurement to ensure you have adequate UVB protection. SPF 30 should be your floor. This blocks 97% of the UVB rays you are exposed to for up to two and a half hours under typical use. Typical use is derived from the testing environment which is 2mg per square centimeter of exposed skin under a UV lamp. At SPF 50 the blockage increases to 98% with typical usage and there is no measurable benefit over SPF 50. Using SPF higher than 30 may give you a margin of error if you put too little on or get a little forgetful on your reapplication. However, your cost benefit does decrease so I wouldn’t mortgage the house for that SPF 100.
Apply Sunscreen Liberally
Once you have that right product the focus shifts to using it correctly. Apply an adequate amount early, liberally and often to ensure the best protection. This means applying your protection at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. Remember that typical use is 2 mg per square centimeter which is roughly 1 ounce or a shot glass full of lotion to cover the typical adult body in a bathing suit. I will say when I reversed the math this is a rather small adult roughly 5 foot 5 and 150 pounds so I encourage you to exceed that 1 ounce mark. Finally reapply often. SPF is a measurement of the sunscreens ability to boost your skins ability to handle sun exposure. So SPF 30 means you can be in the sun 30 times longer than the amount of time you would burn without sunscreen. You can do the math or reapply every two hours as this covers the time interval, with a healthy margin of error, for the most sensitive skins. Also, remember test are done in a controlled environment without all the swimming and sweating that our outdoor activities may include. So reapply after water and sweat exposure to ensure adequate protection.
Fun in the Sun
Now you are ready for some summer fun in the sun. I also recommend to care for your skin by drinking lots of water throughout your sun time and following. The skin is your largest organ and needs lots of moisture to stay healthy so reward it. Also, apply your favorite moisturizer or an aloe vera gel before bedtime to keep your skin healthy. Enjoy a safe and happy Texas summer.