Sun protection

 Sun protection explained 


The skin is exposed to a number of different rays directly from the sun. These include UVA rays which are generally more longer wavelength rays followed by UVB rays which have shorter wavelength rays but higher energy levels. 
The UVB rays cause direct damage within  the  skin cell surface layers and DNA within the skin through oxidative stress by the radiation on the skin and this can result in aging of the skin, wrinkles, skin cancers and indirect DNA damage.

It is therefore important to ensure that appropriate sun protection measures are taken when the skin is exposed to external radiation and elements which are capable of inflicting oxidative stress on the skin and damage.

Sun protection lotions are available and manufactured from a number of different companies in a variety of different formulations.

The differentiating factor between different sun protection products is the factor that they have on there label. There are an array of different sun protection lotions and creams with different factors ranging from 5 to 50 and more.
The numeric factor on an SPF product is effectively a measure of a multiplication number such that if an average person takes for example 10 minutes to burn in the sun, applying sun protection product with a factor of, for example, factor 10 would confirm additional time in the sun without burning such that this additional time which would be added would amount to 10×10 which is equal to 100 minutes, i.e the same person can now spend an hour and forty minutes exposed to the same level of sunlight before they would burn.
Therefore, sun protection by an average person is the extra time in the sun before they burn and it allows them to therefore enjoy their time outdoors in sunny weather without having the additional worry or stress of burning.
In general, sun protection lotions are formulated in one of two different types. Chemical sunscreen and mineral sunscreen are the two main formulations which are available.

The way in which chemical and mineral sunscreens work differs. Mineral sunscreens are formulated with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These act as barriers and reflect the sun from the surface of the skin. Chemical sunscreens are more absorptive in the way in which they work and these contain chemicals such as avobenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, octinoxate, oxybenzone, octisalate and retinyl palmitate.
Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the sunlight rays and this is then dissipated from the skin surface in the form of heat energy. 
Mineral sunscreens are effective in patients with sensitive skin, rosacea and  dry skin types aswell. Examples of mineral based sunscreen includes ZO smart tone SPF., ZO Skin Health sheer plus and Helios also produce a sun protection aswell which is mineral based.
Mineral based SPF is a good option for patients with oily skin and acne prone skin as it doesn’t clog pores and isn’t comodegenic either and absorbs easily into the skin. 

Other measures are also important when exposed to the sun to protect the skin from oxidative stress and damage and premature aging. In general sunscreen should be re-applied every 2 hours and wearing a wide brimmed hat, long sleeved clothes and glasses also help with sun protection. 

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