Is Higher SPF (above 15) actually useless?

(5 replies)

by Hyspin

about 1 year ago

Viewed 1238 times

Okay this supposed to be a part of a health debate that hopefully someone can clarify. I argued that in general usages situation higher SPF (over 15) is useless. Here is the logic: If lets say your are one of those people who burn after being out in the sun for 10 mins and you put on SPF of 15. Now since the number doesn't represent the strength rather it represents the length time at which you stay out of the sun before you burns so approximately 15x longer. So for the person who burns at 10 mins is (10 mins. x 15=150mins) can stay out for at 150 mins so 2 1/2 hours before they would burn. Well with that logic the larger the number the longer you can stay out side correct. Wrong, why because almost every sunscreen, and almost every sunscreen skin professional (I use that loosely) says that you must reapply regardless of if your sweating our not every 2 hours(if your sweat or swim they suggest sooner)! So assuming we follow their advice, but really how many of us really do, be honest, then if we are individuals who burn after 10 mins SPF15 would give us enough time without needing another sunscreen. That's also including the other advice that we must wait 15 minutes before going into the sun after we applied the sunscreen (so that kind of makes it 1 hour and 45 minutes). We Still have an half hour to reapply. So based on the following being true. SPF truly represent time not strength of your sun protection. That you must reapply your sunscreen every 2 hour regardless of the SP. You are person who burns after 10 mins or longer from being in the sun . And you don't suffer any sun-sensitive conditions. Then any thing above SPF 15 is useless. If I am wrong, I want to know because I would love to use a SPF for longer and to benefit me more for what I need it for.

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TozaiGlass replied about 1 year ago:

If you start burning that fast and have no sun-sensitive conditions, I'd say that you're probably not putting enough sunscreen on. You're supposed to have about a tablespoon amount for your face alone. And even if you don't suffer from photosensitivity, if you use salicylic acid (an exfoliant used in acne washes and such), your skin will become more sensitive to the sun. Also, you could try a sunblock which physically blocks the rays, as opposed to a sunscreen which absorbs the rays. Sometimes, companies combine them. Anyway, maybe you should find something that'll block instead of absorb. Something with zinc in it. Or titanium dioxide. Either way, whichever you decide to choose, make sure you apply enough. I think that's what your current problem is--not enough to actually offer adequate protection. Good luck.

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Hyspin replied about 1 year ago:

Thats the strange thing about sunblocks they have the same advice as sunscreens. Okay here my current situation. I don't burn, correction, I have never burned in my whole entire life, that includes a 2 month long summer vacation in Caribbean with no sunscreen or sunblock, as child playing out side most of the time. So in short I don't burn, (I can on the other hand suffer from heat stroke). I actually looking for a sunblock to do double duty for me. But the problem lies in the fact that SPF is telling you your UVB protection not your UVA, that is why lots of sunscreens (and sunblocks, I going to use sunscreen for both from this point on), say broad spectrum to indicate they have UVA protection. Some European sunscreen and Asian brands as well have add an additional indicator call PPD and PA. They indicate the amount of UVA protection. That is what I am actually interested in since UVA is more responsible for tanning and darkening of the skin. I using lighteners to even out spots, but since North American brands don't normally specify Protection level of UVA, their numbering is Useless for me. I want to stop or slow down darkening as much as possible. But If I can't tell the UVA protection I can't do that efficiently SPF is telling your time for burning, I don't burn I tan, also just because you See SPF 40 you may only have very little UVA protection (but any UVA protection is still consider broad spectrum) So there it is my issue with SPF.

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Hyspin replied about 1 year ago:

And thats why I looking for advice and info on the topic.

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editorCourtney replied 12 months ago:

I can help clarify this. SPF 15 blocks about 94% of UV rays, which is very significant. SPF 30 blocks about 98%, which is even MORE significant. After that, as the SPF number goes up, the amount of protection you get only goes up by tiny amounts. So SPF 40 is like a 98.5%, and so on, with SPF 50 and higher being around 99%. So, that makes SPF 30 the magic number. But there's a catch. Most people don't apply enough to get the full SPF. So if you are using SPF 30, and you don't use a full shot glass for your whole body, and a teaspoon for your face, then the amount of protection gets diluted and you might only be getting protection of 15-20. So, SPF 15 for everyday use is fine, IF you are using enough, otherwise you might only be getting the equivalent of an SPF 10 or lower. So that's why most dermatologists recommend ALWAYS using an SPF of 30 so at the very least maybe you're getting SPF 15 coverage. If you're headed to the beach, use SPF 30+ and reapply often. The physical blocker zinc oxide is the most protective, but it is sometimes white and thick, so people don't like it. If that's the case, look for UVA and UVB protection on the label. Avobenzone and Mexoryl are common chemical UVA sunscreen ingredients. I hope this helps! Email me at beauty@youbeauty.com if you have more questions about this. I'm sort of a sunscreen nerd.

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editorCourtney replied 12 months ago:

Hyspin - you're absolutely right to be skeptical. SPF is only a rating for UVB protection. For UVA protection (the aging rays) you want zinc oxide, a zinc and titanium oxide blend, avobenzone or mexoryl. My suggestion is to go products that say UVA protection on the label, and go with trusted brands. I like Skin ceuticals, Nuetrogena, Aveeno, Vichy, Pratima, and 100% Pure.

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