We all know that lots time spent in the sun can do some serious damage to our skin and our health. But as if that means I’m not going to maximize the limited summer days we have left to soak up the sun. Thankfully there has been some major developments in the world of sun care that have limited the damage to my skin while I hang out at the lake. And while there really is no safe way to tan, understanding some basic sunscreen details can go a long way for keeping you safe in the sun. When clients come in looking for sun care products, they often ask very similar questions, so I perused the latest Coola Suncare info book to address some of those Frequently Asked Questions.
UVA vs. UVB-What’s the difference?
UVA rays cause premature aging and suppression of the immune system. And when your skin’s defenses are down, you’re at risk for skin cancer.
UVB rays are what cause your skin to burn. The intensity of UVB rays vary by season, location and time of day, with 10 AM-4PM being the peak hours. Sunburned skin doesn’t just feel awful, it can cause permanent damage over time.
The Scoop on SPF
SPF stands for sun protection factor. Sunscreens are classified by an SPF number which refers to their ability to deflect UVB rays. SFP rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to burn sunscreen-protected skin vs. unprotected skin. So you typically burn after 10 mins in the sun and put on SPF 2, then you have double that time before a sunburn, so 20 minutes. Skin protected with SPF 15 would take 15 times longer, or 150 minutes for a sunburn to occur. (Keep in mind though, the increase from 20 to 45 level SPF provides only 2.8% more UV protection.)
Coola’s Mineral vs. Classic: Which one’s for Me?
The active sun protection ingredients are the main difference between the two. Classic Sunscreens use organic active ingredients (chemical screen) designed to absorb and dissipate UVA/UVB rays, while our Mineral Sunscreens use mineral (physical block) active ingredients like Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide to scatter and reflect UVA/UVB rays. Remember this – Coola’s classic sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before sun exposure, while the mineral sunscreens are effective right after application.
Now that you are safe suncare pro’s, it’s time to reap the benefits. Visit us from August 1-4 and talk to any one of us about how to get Sun-Set for the Long Weekend and take home a free sample. Also, purchase any TWO (2) Coola products and enter to win an amazing gift pack worth $150 which includes a Sport SPF 35 Citrus Mimosa Sunscreen Spray, Plant UV Body SPF 30 Unscented Moisturizer, Face SPF 30 Unscented Matte Finish Tint, and 2 liplux sticks in SPF 15 & 30