5 wonderful facts about sunscreen that you didn't know

Sunscreen protects the skin from harmful sun rays.

The need to use sunscreen is something emphasized everyday, not only by dermatologists but also by the beauty industry, media, etc. It's basically everywhere. It is not an alien fact to us that using sunscreen religiously will help us combat premature aging, the risk of skin cancer and dangerously painful sunburns.


   

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - However, recent studies show that efforts to spread the urgency for sunscreen has all been in vain. The research showed that most people still don't understand how sunscreen works, which type of sunscreens protect against which risks and how to read the labels so you identify one from the other.

Here are five facts about sunscreen use and misuse, along with explanations that may help enlighten on the importance:

1) According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Dermatology, only a few people understand the difference between ultraviolet-B rays and ultraviolet rays. The former are related to sunburn and skin cancer while ultraviolet-A rays do not cause sunburn. UVA rays however, lead to skin darkening, aging and they can cause skin cancer.  

2) SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Only 43 percent of people surveyed had that knowledge.

3) Sunscreens that are labeled "broad spectrum" offer protection against both UVB and UVA rays. Sadly, only 34 percent of people had the haziest idea what "broad spectrum" meant.

4) A study conducted by the Environmental Working Group, revealed that 4 out of 5 SPF products don't work properly.

5) The RPS is calling on a simplification of sun protection labeling. They claim the labels of protection should be simplified to levels such as low, medium, high and very high.

6) Use sunscreens that contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide in them, because they physically, and not chemically, block everything. However, they are a little bit tougher to spread over your entire skin and they may even provide a white cast on skin.

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