Dubai: If you think using a sunscreen with the highest SPF (Sun protection factor) will help protect your skin from the harsh summer sun, think twice.
With temperatures in the UAE soaring as high as 50 degrees in summer, many people go shopping for sunscreen with an SPF higher than 15. However, experts say the difference in protection offered by sunscreens with different SPF’s is not all that significant.
Dr Mukesh Batra, founder and chairman of Dr Batra’s Group of Companies in Dubai, said there is a very slight increase in the level of UVB protection between sunscreen with SPF 15, and SPF 30 and 50. “SPF 15 will block 93 per cent of UVB rays, SPF 30 will block 97 per cent of UVB rays, and using SPF 50 will block 98 per cent of rays,” said Dr Batra.
For those regular tanners who are light-sensitive, or have a history of skin cancer, the negligible difference in SPF levels could make a difference.
“If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red as a result of sunburn, using SPF 15 sunscreen will theoretically prevent reddening 15 times longer [300 minutes],” he said.
Dr Batra explained that due to this common misconception that using higher SPF sunscreen will offer more protection, may people often spend more time in the sun under the belief their skin is protected.
According to experts, the key to saving your skin is quantity and frequency of sunscreen application. The secret to protecting your skin when you’re spending a day under the sun or on the beach is reapplying sunscreen every two hours.
Studies show that most people do not use enough sunscreen for it to be effective, said Dr Batra. “Dermatologists suggest applying 1-2 ounce of sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15, 20 minutes before going outdoors to help the skin absorb it well, and reapplying every two hours.”
Regularly applying waterproof SPF 30 sunscreen should be sufficient if you are spending a day on the beach as activities like swimming and towel-drying could decrease the effectiveness of sunscreen, explained Dr Batra.
Another common myth is that people with dark skin can skip using sunscreen altogether.
While they may not get sunburn as easily as people with fair skin, those with dark skin are also susceptible to skin cancer, sun-spots, wrinkles and other skin disorders.
Dr Batra said research suggests that melanoma, a form of skin cancer, is usually fatal in dark-skinned people because they do not use as much sunscreen as those with fairer skin. “It is evidenced that people with dark skin have an increased amount of melanin, which provides them with natural sun protection, and some have a natural SPF of 13 that filters twice as much UV radiation,” he said. However, using sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 is recommended to all people regardless of skin colour.
Dr Reem Al Kaddah, specialist dermatologist at iCare Clinics in Dubai, also pointed out that other widely-believed myths include the belief that there are different levels of SPF for different skin types, and that applying sunscreen will reduce a person’s vitamin D levels.
She confirmed that studies have shown that applying sunscreen has no impact on vitamin D levels, and contrary to popular belief, people should also apply sunscreen on cloudy days.
Most sunscreens are made to suit all skin types, she said.
For those with dry skin, using cream and ointment-based sunscreens is ideal, whereas people with oily skin should look for water-based sunscreens to avoid exacerbating breakouts.
For sensitive skin, using hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free sunscreens is recommended to help sooth the skin. However, the level of sun protection and SPF has the same impact on all skin types and skin colours.
