Need-to-Knows about Sunscreen

Sunscreen is an incredibly popular product, especially in sunny Florida. However, it’s not always clear what the terms on each bottle refer to, or what it means for your skin. Those who’d like some help deciphering the different abbreviations and terms on sunscreen bottles will want to read on.

• What does SPF mean? – SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” which refers to how much a sunscreen will protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

• Which SPF should I choose? – When choosing a sunscreen, a good rule of thumb is to use one that has an SPF of 30 or higher. SPF 30 will block out about 97 percent of UV rays, including both UVA and UVB.

• What are UVB rays? – In order to understand the importance of SPF, it’s important to understand what it’s protecting you from, which are UVB rays. There are two types of harmful sunrays: long wave ultraviolet A (UVA) and UVB rays. UVA rays reach the skin’s thickest layer, whereas UVB rays usually only burn the superficial layers of skin and are typically more associated with sunburn.

• Should I get a sunscreen with UVA protection? – The fact that UVA rays penetrate the skin’s thickest layer makes them particularly dangerous. These rays damage the skin and can contribute to the development of skin cancer. In order to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, be sure to use a sunscreen that offers “broad-spectrum protection.”

• How often should I reapply? – If you are outside in the sun for an extended period of time, make sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours to keep yourself protected. If you are perspiring a lot or in the water, it may be a good idea to reapply sunscreen every hour.

Nothing ruins fun-in-the-sun faster than a nasty sunburn, so the next time you’re heading out to one of the many lakes that surround our apartments by The Villages, FL, be sure to equip yourself with a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF, and reapply liberally throughout the day.  To learn more about PepperTree Apartment Homes, contact us today or stop by for a tour.