How High Should Your SPF Be

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of how well a sunscreen will protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation (UVB) rays. UVB rays are the type of rays that cause sunburn, skin damage, premature aging and possibly skin cancer.
There are multiple brands of sunscreens that contain several levels of SPF, and knowing which one is the best option to provide proper protection can be confusing. The level of SPF determines the amount of time you are able to spend in the sun before you begin to burn. However, using a very high SPF does not necessarily mean more protection and can actually give you a false sense of security.

The best way to decide which level of SPF you need is to determine how long you are able to be in the sun before you begin to burn. If you have a fair complexion and would normally burn after being in the sun for ten minutes, using an SPF15 sunscreen would allow you to stay in the sun without burning for approximately 150 minutes, or fifteen times longer.
The amount of UVB rays that are blocked by using SPF15 is 93%, while applying sunscreen with SPF30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. Using an SPF sunscreen of 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays. As you can see, using an SPF of 30 will only give you 4% more protection than a sunscreen that has an SPF level of 15. Using an SPF of 30 does not give you double the protection of an SPF of 15 as you might think. In addition, regardless of how high the SPF number is on your sunscreen, no sunscreen can offer 100% protection. What is important is how often you apply the sunscreen and making sure you apply enough to get the coverage needed to prevent getting burned.
In order to get the most benefit from your sunscreen, you must reapply it every two hours to maintain the level of protection you need. Whether you are using an SPF5 or 50, after you have been in the sun about two hours, your sunscreen will not be effective anymore.
If it is still confusing, the best method is to follow what your dermatologist recommends. Most dermatologists do recommend using an SPF of 15 or an SPF of 30.
All sunscreens must undergo FDA-approved SPF testing in order to make a UVB claim. The testing is composed into three categories. These three categories are SPT Static, SPF Water Resistant 40 minutes and SPF Water Resistant 80 minutes. All sunscreen manufacturers are required to comply with FDA rules to ensure that all sunscreens are consistent with the claims on their product.
You might also be interested in...
10 Signs You May Not Be Drinking Enough Water
8 Signs You May Not Be Getting Enough Magnesium
About Life Insurance
Do You Really Need Life Insurance?
Does Divorce Spell The End Of A Happy Childhood
Globe Life is A+ Rated
Health Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
History of Life Insurance
Home Cough Remedies
How High Should Your SPF Be
How To Be Responsible About Life Insurance
Is Eating Organic Really Safer?
Is White Vinegar A Safe Cleaning Agent?
Planning Your Family For An Emergency Evacuation
The Difference Between Power Of Attorney And A Living Will
Reconsider Getting a Life Insurance Policy
Setting Goals For Your Employees
Skills that Make Bosses Want to Hire You
The Importance of Life Insurance
The Importance of Term Life Insurance
Is It Time To Review Your Life Insurance Policy?
Tips On How To Prevent E.coli
Too Busy to Stay Healthy?
What Is COPD And How You Can Prevent It?
What is Term Life Insurance?
When Insurance Becomes an Investment
Choosing Whole Life Vs Term Life Insurance
Why You Should Look Into Term Life Insurance
Making Your Home Senior-Friendly
Is Whooping Cough Making A Comeback
Unusual Tricks To Reduce The Risk Of Heart Disease
The Best First Aid Kit Everyone Should Have
Beware Of Dangerous Mold
5 Things You Should Know About Thyroid Health
What Your Eyes Reveal About Your Health
Everyday Things That Can Cause Memory Loss
How To Discuss Life Insurance With Your Spouse
Why That Cold Won’t Go Away
5 Ways To Keep A Healthy Smile
How Dangerous Is Sugar?
5 Warning Signs To Change Healthcare Providers
Simple Secrets To Conquer Flu Season
The Hidden Bad Side Of Everyday Foods
How To Avoid The Scams That Tricked So Many
Six Foods That May Reduce Stroke Risk
Empty Nesters: Don’t Ditch Life Insurance Until You Consider This
How Does Accidental Death Insurance Work?
4 Tips To Improve Your Credit Score
6 Tech Devices You Need For Family Safety
Public Transportation Safety Tips