The Ed.
Well-Known Member
Simple fact. We're not doing sunscreen properly. Not only are we not wearing it enough (only 1 in 5 people wear it every day) we're not applying it properly when we do wear it and we're relying on SPF products that claim to protect us but actually don't. So, listen up geeks. Melanoma's are deadly and on the rise...we need to know what we're doing.
Firstly, the FDA have introduced new guidelines to be introduced on June 18th in the USA stating that products claiming to have SPF must be clearly labelled with a warning unless it protects against both types of harmful rays: UV-B and UV-A. Currently, most don't.
At the moment, SPF only refers to protection against UV-B rays - the ones that cause sunburn. They don't protect against UV-A rays - the ones that penetrate deeper and cause skin damage and ageing. Both types of rays contribute to cancer, but from June 18th, products that do protect against UV-A and UV-B will be labelled 'broad spectrum'. You definitely want to get your hands on some of this. The products that don't pass the 'broad spectrum' test or that have a low SPF will have to brandish a warning that will read something like, " This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn not skin cancer or early ageing." As I said, 'broad spectrum' is the way to go.
But, that's not all. Not only are we apparently a little clueless about SPF and what it actually protects against, we're not very good at applying it even if we have got the good stuff! First up, SPF in foundations and tinted moisturisers isn't really enough. We don't apply make up thoroughly enough or often enough in order for the SPF to protect us fully so we should still be applying a broad spectrum SPF underneath our makeup - some beauty companies are already coming up with a broad spectrum SPF primer designed specifically to sit under makeup - and when we do put it on, we really need to slap it on. Experts recommend that we should be applying a small shot glass of sunscreen every day to our face, neck and ears...don't ever forget the ears!
Oh, and if you don't have a shot glass, get one. In fact, get six and invite some friends over. Really.
Slap on the sunscreen people. Everyday.
Until then...geek on.
The Ed.
Firstly, the FDA have introduced new guidelines to be introduced on June 18th in the USA stating that products claiming to have SPF must be clearly labelled with a warning unless it protects against both types of harmful rays: UV-B and UV-A. Currently, most don't.
At the moment, SPF only refers to protection against UV-B rays - the ones that cause sunburn. They don't protect against UV-A rays - the ones that penetrate deeper and cause skin damage and ageing. Both types of rays contribute to cancer, but from June 18th, products that do protect against UV-A and UV-B will be labelled 'broad spectrum'. You definitely want to get your hands on some of this. The products that don't pass the 'broad spectrum' test or that have a low SPF will have to brandish a warning that will read something like, " This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn not skin cancer or early ageing." As I said, 'broad spectrum' is the way to go.
But, that's not all. Not only are we apparently a little clueless about SPF and what it actually protects against, we're not very good at applying it even if we have got the good stuff! First up, SPF in foundations and tinted moisturisers isn't really enough. We don't apply make up thoroughly enough or often enough in order for the SPF to protect us fully so we should still be applying a broad spectrum SPF underneath our makeup - some beauty companies are already coming up with a broad spectrum SPF primer designed specifically to sit under makeup - and when we do put it on, we really need to slap it on. Experts recommend that we should be applying a small shot glass of sunscreen every day to our face, neck and ears...don't ever forget the ears!
Oh, and if you don't have a shot glass, get one. In fact, get six and invite some friends over. Really.
Slap on the sunscreen people. Everyday.
Until then...geek on.
The Ed.
