Sun tan lotion - protect yourself from UV rays

Buy Self Tanning Kits Online at:

For those of you that insist on going out and getting a tan the old fashioned way the importance of using a sun tan lotion cannot be stressed enough. The active ingredients in these products are designed to filter (sunscreens) or deflect (sun block) UV light which can cause damage to the skin.

All sunscreens let some UV through - but just how much is indicated by their sun Protection Factor (SPF.) The SPF rating is determined by evaluating the amount of time needed to cause burning on protected skin to the amount of time needed to produce the same burning on unprotected skin. As an example: someone who usually burns after 20 minutes, will after using a sun tan lotion with SPF 2 find that it will now take them 40 minutes for their skin to burn.

Many of us are guilty of viewing the sun tan lotion SPF number as a guide to "how much longer we can stay in the sun." Instead they should be seen as a way of minimizing UV exposure and therefore skin damage.

Other features you should look for is whether the product offers Broad Spectrum protection and if it has a Water Resistance label.

When a reference is made to a sun tan lotion's "Broad Spectrum" capability; what is being referred to is its ability as a protection against UVA. As you have read t he SPF guards against sun burn which is largely caused by the shorter UVB rays. However, burning can still be attributed to UVA rays even if all UVB is filtered out. For this reason, and because UVA penetrates deeper into the skin (linking them to premature aging and skin cancer), companies focus on broad spectrum protection.

Outdoor activities for the most part are usually often centred around water, that's just how it is. Sun tan lotions can wash off and become diluted if they are not water resistant. Sunscreens carrying the "Water Resistant" label must follow with a time period. The SPF measure will then refer to skin protection after this period of water resistance. Just remember towelling yourself dry will remove the sunscreen, so always reapply.

Other variables do however come into play regarding sun protection and can affect a products SPF measure, such as pollution levels, how much you perspire and weather conditions. You should use sunscreens in conjunction with your areas daily UV index report.

What is the UV Index?

For you safety it is advised that you check the daily UV index of your area before going out. The purpose of the UV index is to act as an alarm to warn extra precautions to be taken - applying sun block, wearing a hat, and putting on sunglasses when there is a high reading. Parents can utilise the index to gaurd their children form the harmful effects UV radiation.

What this index does is it predicts the amount of UV radiation that will fills the earth's surface at the peak hour of sunlight i.e. noon at a number of locations. Three variables are considered when determining the index: area cloud cover, atmospheric ozone amounts and the height of the sun. These are measured using weather satellites and data meters on the planets surface. From these variables it is possible for high risk exposure times to be accurately predicted.

A large proportion of the information provided by the index is primarily pertaining to UVB rays, which are linked to burning and varies in strength depending on the season. UVA on the other hand ranges fairly constant during the course of a year and is unaffected by the seasonal changes. A break up of the UV index is illustrated below.

Ultraviolet Index Values
Index Values	Exposure Category
0-2	Minimal
3-4	Low
5-6	Moderate
7-9	High
10>	Very High

Pink Fridge Online Magazine > dating online > marriage counselling > wedding planning guide > pregnancy symptoms & advice > how to work at home > car insurance advice > overcome depression > hairloss in women > weight loss > diet pills > skin care > stretch mark removal > baby gifts > planning a funeral > shopping for perfume > shopping for earrings > shopping for engagement rings > shopping for sunglasses > shopping for shoes > shopping for wedding favours > shopping for wine

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2009 - Sun Tan Lotion

Contact | Disclaimer | Sitemap | Advertising |  Subscribe in a reader