Sunscreens

Sunburn is a concern during the summer months.  The radiation from the sun causing sunburn is UVB (ultra violet B).  UVA1 and UVA2  age the skin.  The burning question, both literally and figuratively, is which type of sunscreen is best.  The most commonly used sunscreens are “chemical absorbers,” which the FDA prefers to refer to as organic because they contain carbon compounds.  Broad spectrum sunscreens are meant to protect against a range of radiation wavelengths.  The chemical absorbers absorb the active UV rays and release their energy in harmless ways.  The FDA recommends using sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. 

Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are physical blockers.  They do not decompose through sun exposure and theoretically will remain on the skin longer.  When UV rays hit skin coated in physical blockers, they are reflected and cannot penetrate the skin.  A concern is whether blocking the sun’s rays can result in vitamin D deficiency.

A sunscreen of some type should be put on the skin before going out in the sun.  It should be reapplied every two hours as long as you are out in the sun.  No sunscreen of any type should be used on babies younger than 6 months, and they should be kept out of the sun.  People with broken skin or rashes should talk to a physician before applying sunscreen to the affected parts of the body.