Sunscreen, Suntan Lotion or Sunblock

Are You Using the Proper One for Your Skin?

Most people know that when you spend long amounts of time in the sun you are exposing your skin to possible burning, tanning and skin cancer. But those who tan easily rarely think to apply sun lotion to their body prior to going in the sun, and those who burn constantly often use the wrong type of sun lotion.

To ensure you are using the correct sun lotion for your body, refer to these facts for a safe and sunny summer.

Sunscreen:

Sunscreen is a lotion that protects skin from the sun's UV rays, with an addition of SPF as an extra aid. The amount of SPF, Sun-Protection Factor, is always displayed on the bottle of sunscreen and you should always refer to the number prior to purchasing or using the lotion. The different numbers are not just the different strengths, but also refer to how often you must reapply the lotion.

People with fair skin often use a high SPF sunscreen (SPF 30-75) to avoid getting a sunburn at the end of the day. If you are using a sunscreen with SPF 15, you should reapply it more often than if you use a sunscreen with an SPF of 50.

Dr. Melissa Conrad Stoppler of MedicineNet.com also says that sunscreen, to protect your skin, and sunglasses to protect your eyes, are not enough to completely avoid sunburns, however, they can definitely aid in limiting the exposure and improving healthier outcomes.Health Canada reminds us, just because it's cloudy, does not mean you wont get a sunburn.

Suntan Lotion:

Suntan lotions refer to tanning lotions, oils and creams that make skin darker and give you a more "tanned" look after the sun. Livestrong.com claims suntan lotion is "specifically formulated to help you achieve a darker tan than you would without it."

Not everyone can use suntan lotion to get darker tanned skin. Suntan lotion should only be used by people whose skin can tan without suntan lotion. Using suntan lotion too frequently can have some negative results, such as, rubbery looking skin, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. For darker looking skin, Jenni Wiltz from Livestrong.com suggests using sunless tanners rather than exposing your skin constantly to the sun's UV rays.

Sunblock:

According to Dermatologist, Dr. Heather Brannon, "sunblock physically blocks the sun's UV radiation of the skin, both UVA and UVB". Sunblock is not sunscreen, or suntan lotion. It is a lotion or shield against the sun like umbrellas, full length clothing, and trees.

The best way to keep your skin away from the sun would be to apply a layer of sunscreen and stay in shaded areas rather in the direct sun. Dr. Brannon also claims that sunblock can have a negative effect on the skin: "They can also be greasy and clog pores, a problem for people with acne-prone skin". You should use a form of sunblock throughout the day, especially while the sun is at it's peak.

Safety Factors:

Some people fear the fact that sun lotions may contain carcinogenic factors. To ensure you are using safe lotions for your skin stick to brands such as Neutrogena, Banana Boat, Aveeno, Ombrelle, and Coppertone. They are the most popular and have been tested as some of the safest for your skin and dermatologist approved.

Sunscreen, suntan lotion and sunblock are all important during the warm months of the year or while on the slopes where the sun reflects off the snow and can burn the face. Even if you are using sunscreen or suntan lotion, you should remember to use a form of sunblock as well.