Summer skin care: Tips to choose the best sunscreen

Here's everything you want to know about sunscreens.

By: Dr Kiran Lohia | | Updated: May 3, 2018 10:35 am

The summer heat is here in its brutal avatar! There is, of course, blistering heat and a lot of sweat. I3n order to shield your skin from the damage that harmful sun rays can do, it is essential that you apply a good sunscreen on the exposed areas before you step outside. But how do you select a sunscreen? What do terms like SPF, UV-A, UV-B mean? Dr Kiran Lohia, a well-known dermatologist decodes all these terms and other important factors that one should keep in mind before buying a sunscreen. Also Read - You need to stop making these 7 skincare mistakes ASAP

Also read: 10 summer essentials in your handbag Also Read - Reasons why wearing sunscreen is just as important in winters

What is SPF? Also Read - Should you apply sunscreen during the monsoon too?

SPF stands for ‘sun protection factor’. It protects our skin against UV-B rays, the specific rays of the sun that cause tanning, sunburn and skin cancer. So when you look darker after a day out in the sun, it is due to those pesky UV-B rays.

Technically, an SPF of 15 means that you can stay in the sun 15 times longer than without sunscreen before getting sunburnt.

How much SPF do I need?

A sunscreen with SPF 30 is more than enough to handle the sun rays Indians are exposed to. Even though we are exposed to more UV-B rays than the western countries, our darker skin acts as good, natural protection.

What are the different kinds of sunscreen agents?

There are two types of sunscreen agents — organic and mineral.

Organic agents absorb the UV-B light and prevent it from reaching the skin. There are many different ingredients that do this, but they stop working after about 3-4 hours, so the sunscreen needs to be reapplied regularly.

Inorganic or mineral agents reflect UV-B light. Sunscreens made of mineral agents can cause the skin to look white by forming a thick layer on it and can be a bit unpleasant to use.

Should I only look for SPF when buying sunscreens?

SPF actually refers only to UV-B protection. However, UV-A protection is also very important. UV-A light causes pigmentation, marks, freckles, aging and even allergy. So it is vital to look for both UV-B and UV-A protection in your sunscreen.

What do I look for in a sunscreen that also has UV-A protection?

For UV-A protection, look for a ‘+’ sign. The PA+ rating denotes UV-A protection, with anywhere from ‘zero to ++++’ indicating lowest to highest UV-A blocking. For Indian skin, ‘++’ is recommended for optimal protection. So look for a sunscreen with SPF 30++ for both UV-A and UV-B blocking.

What are the benefits of a sunscreen?

There are many benefits of using a sunscreen with both UV-A and UV-B protection. UV-A light is the number one cause of ageing and pigmentation. So regular use of sunscreen will keep your skin glowing and young! UV-B light causes tanning and skin cancer. So UV-B protection is also extremely important.

A regular sunscreen routine will ensure that your skin stays supple, fresh and healthy. It is highly recommended to use a sunscreen in the summer months as your skin is highly prone to sun damage during this time.

Also read: Expert hair care tips for the summers

Image source: Shutterstock

Published : May 3, 2018 10:35 am | Updated:May 3, 2018 10:35 am

Dr Jaishree Sharad busts 11 common acne myths

Summer wedding: 4 chic hairstyles you can try

About The health Site

Useful Links