by Linda Hong

The top five sunscreen misconceptions

Let’s start with what SPF means:

SPF means Sun Protection Factor using this equation:

Take the time you would normally burn in the sun without protection. 20 minutes will normally produce redness on a light skinned individual. Multiply the number by the SPF of your product. Example with a SPF 15 x 20 minutes of sun time = 300 minutes that you can stay in the sun without burning. 300 minutes divided by 60 minutes = 5 hours of sun protection without a sunburn.

There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding sunscreen moisturizers like the belief that no redness means no damage, WRONG.  Here’s a quick look at the top five sunscreen misconceptions and the truth surrounding them.

1.  SPF 30 + SPF 20 = SPF 50

So, you’ve applied a sunscreen with an SPF 30, a moisturizer with an SPF 15, and a foundation with an SPF 8, now you’ve got a total of SPF 53 protection. Wrong. Mixing or layering skin care products with SPF ratings does not create a higher SPF. Your protection against the sun’s rays is only as strong as the strongest SPF applied.  In this case it is SPF 30.

Side Note: Did you know that an SPF 30 gives only 2% more protection than an SPF 15? The higher rating is still superior, but you shouldn’t worry if you end up using a lower SPF when a higher one isn’t available.

2. More is Better
A higher SPF rating is not necessarily better. SPF ratings refer only to the protection provided against UVB rays, even though the skin also needs to be protected from UVA rays (the “aging rays” that cause visible signs of aging such as skin wrinkles) and free radicals. Therefore, it’s important to choose a broad-spectrum sun block that features a good SPF, antioxidants, and ingredients that block UVA rays. The FDA is currently working on a rating revision that will provide a better idea of how much protection a formula truly provides.

3. No Sun, No Damage
Even if the sun is nowhere in sight, its pesky UV rays can still damage your skin! Sunscreen should be worn year round, regardless of weather conditions.  Especially now that the Ozone layer has thinned out so much. Damage is just as likely to occur in winter while you’re driving in your car as it is in summer while you’re playing on the beach. So, don’t skimp just because of clouds, rain, or even shade.

4. Baby Sunscreen is for Babies
Ok, so baby sunscreen is technically for babies, but did you know that baby sunscreen formulations are almost identical to adult formulations? Separate sunscreens for babies, children and adults are mostly marketing schemes designed to make you, the consumer, buy the same product multiple times. Some products designed for children do contain gentler ingredients, but most of them have no difference other than packaging. Therefore, you’re welcome to use your little one’s sunscreen without compromising your skin’s safety!

5. Last is Best
Many people like to apply their sunscreen moments before they walk out the door in order to prolong the amount of time between on-the-go applications. However, sunscreen actually takes about 20-30 minutes to activate. This means that if you apply your protective formula right before you walk into the sun, you’ll have almost a half an hour of unprotected sun exposure! If you apply your sunscreen during your morning skin care routine, it should be activated by the time you leave the house. Make sure to reapply every 90-120 minutes, especially if you’re going to be outside between the hours of 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM

THE COST OF SKIPPING SUNSCREEN

Here’s what unprotected sun exposure could cost you over 12 months:
(this is an estimate)

You get: A few days of ruined vacation
Because: After you’ve turned yourself into a lobster, you’ll be under tighter house arrest than Martha until you heal (blisters mean you have a second-degree burn). Translation: 3 to 5 days shot to hell.
You pay: $600.

You get: Salon appointment
Because: Doesn’t matter whether your hair is natural or dyed: Rays can fade it and make it brittle. Hello, color correction and deep conditioning treatment.
You pay: $800.

You get: Skin-bleaching creams and retinols (vitamin A).
Because: UV radiation causes melanin to cluster in blobs, aka age spots. And rays reduce the production of skin-firming collagen. Without these creams, you’ll look like a Saint Bernard before you can say “Keith Richards.”
You pay: $240.

You get: Dermatologist visits every 4 to 6 months
Because: A history of sun damage puts you at greater risk for skin cancer – so your dermatologist will need to inspect your hide more often.
You pay: $450.

You get: Biopsies on suspicious moles
Because: Your skin will do an impersonation of Swiss cheese because any spots with atypical shape, irregular borders, uneven color, or increasing diameter will likely need to be cut out.
You pay: $450.

You get: Another surgery to repair cosmetic damage
Because: Since most skin cancers develop on the face, head, and neck, you’ll want to pay a doc to hide the evidence of excavation.
You pay: $2500.

You get: A beefed-up wardrobe of long-sleeved shirts
Because: As early as your 30s, sun-damaged skin will sag and lose elasticity – and no one wants to see your upper arms flapping.
You pay: $600.

Total: $5640.00

Linda Hong  is a licensed California Cosmetologist with over 25 years of experience and an Instructor for SofTap Permanent Makeup, a private course offered to beauty professionals and medical aesthetic technicians.  She also holds a Master of Arts degree from California State University Long Beach.  Her artistry and attention to detail extend into her professional skincare treatments and products, as well as the areola-nipple re-pigmentation procedure she performs for breast reconstruction patients of Dr. Randy Sherman at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, California and Dr. Wesley Schooler at USC University Hospital, Los Angeles, California. For more info, check out www.skinscope.com