When the outdoor temperature is 110 degrees, you need sunscreen, especially for your face. But the question is, what SPF is best for the face?
What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It measures the degree to which sunscreen will protect your skin from the sun’s two troubling rays – Ultraviolet B (UVB) and Ultraviolet (UVA).
Why do you need the best SPF protection?
In our decades of experience as primary care doctors, we have seen many people develop skin cancer. According to a study, anyone can develop skin cancer.
You need proper protection for your skin. Sunburn does not care about your age or gender. You risk sunburn, and possibly skin cancer, if you are not protected from UVA and UVB radiation.
Wherever you live, you are exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and need SPF protection. But, how long will you remain protected when using SPF?
How to protect your skin from sunburn
From a medical perspective, the best protection from the sun is avoidance. Usually, the sun is at its peak between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During this period, you can avoid exposure by using protective clothing or sunscreen.
If you use sunscreen, it is best to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen or SPF to shield your skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Sun Protection Factor: Which SPF is best?
Since you can’t remain indoors all day, what SPF is best for the face? The answer is to use the best SPF available to you and follow all sunburn protection recommendations.
No single application of SPF can protect you all day. Depending on how long you are in the sun, you will need to reapply as recommended.
Is SPF 15 Enough to Protect My Skin?
Let’s look at the Skin Cancer Foundation’s 15 x 15 hypothetical formula of SPF protection.
According to the formula, where unprotected skin takes 15 minutes to start burning, it would take SPF 15 protected skin 5 hours. But in reality, SPF protection doesn’t work that way!
Ideally, experts recommend you reapply sunscreen every two hours to keep your skin protected. And, when looking for an SPF sunscreen product make sure it’s effective for both UVA and UVB rays.
What Sunscreen do you need; is SPF 15 enough?
If you go by the SPF rating, you will be tempted to go for the higher scale, but is that what you need?
According to the scale, SPF 15 can block UVB rays by 93%. SPF 30 takes care of 97% UVB, and SPF 50 is said to block 98% of UVB rays.
From our knowledge of how sunscreen works, it needs to be reapplied every two hours to be effective. It is not that the higher SPF will block out 100% of photons. Thus, dermatologists recommend using SPF 15.
Ideally, you need between SPF 15 and SPF 30 for good protection, but the rule of reapplication must apply.
What SPF is best for the face?
Your face is the most exposed part of your body and is at the most risk of sunburn. Therefore, you need SPF for protection. One way to choose the right SPF for you is to use the Sunscreen Testing Guide.
All sunscreens are required to undergo FDA-approved testing before making an SPF declaration. There are three types of testing: Static, 80 Minutes Water Resistant, and 40 Minutes Water Resistant.
FDA Approved testing is mandatory for sunscreen manufacturers and must be consistent for sunscreens, minerals, and chemicals. A sunscreen product must meet the regulatory body compliance in the country where it is sold.
When to Get Expert Advice for Sunscreen Protection
The sun doesn’t have to be hot to get sunburn. UV is the sun’s unseen, high-energy radiation that causes the skin to burn. By the time you start to feel the heat, your skin has already burned and is possibly damaged.
It helps to get an expert’s advice for sun protection factors (SPF). They can effectively answer the question, what SPF is best for the face?
If you live in an environment where the temperature gets as high as 110 degrees, you need sunburn protection. Also, whether you get sunburn or not, it is best to speak to a primary care doctor to help lead you in the right direction.
Adequate skin care is about knowing what to do and when to do it. The doctor can help find the right skin experts or dermatologists for you.
If you live in Coachella Valley and desire frustration-free primary health care for your family, schedule a free consultation now.
Coachella Valley Direct Primary Care Physicians, located in Rancho Mirage California, and serving the entire Coachella Valley, for all their primary healthcare needs. Offering in office, and virtual appointments. The membership program allows you to have full access, without long waiting, high unexpected healthcare costs, and doctors who work with you to help you live the best optimum life possible.
For one low monthly fee, you avoid waiting, office visit fees, and a referral network to all specialists necessary to meet your needs.
Our website – https://coachellavalleydpc.com/
Call us direct 760-642-5549
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