You’ve barely been outside for more than 30 minutes when you notice your shoulders beginning to develop a pinkish glow. You’ve slathered yourself in one of the best sunscreens on the shelf, so you’re left wondering ‘why do I burn so easily?’
If this sounds familiar, we hear you. Sometimes it seems you’ve followed all the rules, yet you still get stung with nasty patch of soreness and peeling.
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So, to finally put a stop to sunburnt limbs, we asked sun expert Dr. Howard Murad to explain why you can burn so easily and to set the record straight on sun protection once and for all.
Turns out, it’s not simply about slapping on a single squirt of sunscreen and hoping for the best.
Read on to discover where you’re probably going wrong, and how to do sun protection right this summer.
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‘Why do I burn so much?’ The dermatologist’s view
1/ You’re not timing it properly
It takes around 30 minutes for sunscreen to fully sink into your skin and form a protective shield. If you go outside into the sunshine before this, you won’t be fully protected.
What’s more, if you get dressed immediately after applying sunscreen, you risk it rubbing off onto your clothes.
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Not only is this likely to stain your new white sports bra, but you’ll also leave patches of skin unprotected from the sun.
2/ You’re not using enough SPF
The primary reason that so many of us burn so easily is that we simply aren’t applying our sunscreen liberally enough.
You don’t get the protection listed on the label unless you wear the correct amount, so a quick spritz over each limb isn’t going to keep you sufficiently shielded from the sun.
‘Apply one ounce of sunscreen (equal to a full shot glass) to the entire body and face, and continuously re-apply when out in the sun for long periods of time,’ recommends Dr. Murad.
3/ You’re not reapplying after sweating
We all know to re-apply our sunscreen after swimming or showering, but many of us forget that perspiration can also compromise sun protection.
Whether you’re running in the park or simply sweating it out on the beach, you need to keep an eye on your sweat levels and top up as often as needed, explains Dr. Murad.
‘If you plan on sweating heavily, swimming or being in water, apply water-resistant sunscreen every 40 to 80 minutes for optimal protection, he suggests.
A once-a-day formula will keep you covered for longer, while an oil-free cream will keep post-run breakouts at bay.
4/ You’re using the wrong SPF
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The Sun Protection Factor determines how much protection your sunscreen will give you from UVB: the rays that cause burning and can lead to skin cancer.
The British Skin Foundation recommends using a product with an SPF of 30 or higher. Research has shown that SPF30 will block around 97% of UVB rays, and SPF50 around 98% – as long as you apply a sufficient amount.
5/ You’re using the wrong UVA rating
‘A sunscreen’s SPF measurement only denotes the protection it offers from UVB rays,’ explains Dr. Murad.
While UVB rays are the ones that cause burning, it’s also crucial to shield the skin from UVA. ‘The most damaging rays from the sun are in fact in the UVA spectrum; therefore, it’s important to look for products with broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB,’ he suggests.
‘UVA rays are actually the same strength all year round and can even penetrate through clouds and windows,’ he warns. ‘Plus, they can contribute to premature ageing, collagen degradation and even skin cancer.’
You can determine a sunscreen’s levels of UVA protection by looking for the symbol on the bottle. A 3-star rated product will offer between 60-79% protection from UVA, while 4 star offers 80-89%.
A 5-star rated product, (we love Murad’s City Skin Age Defence, £55) offers between 90-100% protection from UVA – and maximum peace of mind.
No time to nip into town? Discover the best sunscreens you can pick up at the supermarket now.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY
