or "everything you ever wanted to know about ultraviolet radiation but were afraid to ask"
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 By James Whittall
MenEssentials President
Published August 2001
Suncare products are curious things. Almost everyone knows they're mandatory when spending time outdoors. Hardly anyone really knows why.
We've all read about the sun's damaging effects. But what specific kind of damage does the sun inflict? Are sunscreens truly the answer? What about sunblocks? How do they work? How often should you use them? Where should you use them, and when?
Read on, stalwart fellows, and ye shall know all.
A UV Primer
The sun emits three types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
UVA rays are fairly constant in their intensity. They are longer and penetrate your skin more deeply than UVB rays, which are shorter and more intense during the summer. UVC rays are the strongest and most dangerous, but our planet's ozone layer (what's left of it) filters out this cosmic garbage.
When you expose your skin to ultraviolet radiation, it responds with a pigmentation change. This is your body's attempt to protect itself from sun damage.
Moderate sun damage can lead to "photo aging" (dry and rough skin, age spots, or blotchy discolorations). Excessive sun damage can cause skin cancer.
The best protection against skin cancer is to limit your exposure to the sun, especially on summer days. Wear clothing made of tightly woven fabrics, wide-brimmed hats, and broad-spectrum sunglasses. For any pink parts that remain exposed to elements, use plenty of sunscreen or sunblock.
Sunscreen? Sunblock?
Sunscreens chemically absorb UV rays. Sunblocks physically deflect them. Both are equally effective.
How to Select a Suncare Product
There isn't a cream on the planet that absorbs or deflects all of the sun's rays. If you stay out long enough, eventually you'll fry like a fish stick in a tub of hot cooking grease.
The point of sunscreen or sunblock is to stay outside longer without burning. An SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or 30 allows you to romp in the sun fifteen to thirty times longer than without protection. Lower SPF products are ideal for daily activities, when you don't spend too much time outdoors.
If you ordinarily burn in ten minutes without sunscreen, an SPF 15 will let you laze around outdoors for about two and a half hours before sun damage occurs. An SPF 30 increases that time to approximately five hours.
So, which suncare product to buy?
Think carefully before you select a cheaper item. The low-cost stuff you find in drugstores may protect against UVA and UVB. But these bargain basement creams may also include an ingredient called PABA, which can irritate your skin. They're also fairly slimy and can make you look a lot like Flipper on a bad-hair day.
Instead, look for "broad spectrum" PABA-free products. They cost more, sure. But they also protect your skin against both kinds of UV radiation, are fast absorbing, and don't leave that claustrophobic greasy sensation.
Follow the product directions carefully. Apply protective creams, generously and evenly, at least fifteen minutes before sun exposure. Reapply after swimming, excessive sweating, or toweling.
When and Where to Use Suncare
Choose a higher SPF if you spend time close to the equator or in the mountains. The sun's rays are more intense in tropical and semi-tropical areas. Intensity also increases in higher elevations where the atmosphere is thinner. In both cases, you should always wear extra protection on your skin and around eye areas.
Reflective surfaces like water, sand, snow, and pavement intensify exposure to the sun's rays. You can still receive a shocking burn even if you wear a hat or sit in the shade.
Wear sunscreen or sunblock on cloudy or hazy days. Up to eighty percent of the sun's UV rays can penetrate these atmospheric conditions and cause sunburn.
Always wear sunscreen or sunblock between 1100hrs and 1600hrs during the summer months when ultraviolet radiation is at its peak.
In short, we suggest that you use sun protection every day. A daily sunscreen or sunblock application can significantly reduce the potential health risks associated with exposure to UV rays.
When Suncare is Mandatory
Sunscreens and sunblocks are absolutely essential if you have sensitive skin or are using certain medications.
Many antibiotics, heart and blood pressure medicines, antihistamines, and antidepressants can cause photosensitive reactions when you expose yourself to sunlight. These can result in what may appear to be sunburn, rashes, or other allergic-type reactions.
Individual sensitivities vary widely or may not occur at all. Nevertheless, you should consult your physician or pharmacist about sun exposure when using any medication.
Some fragrances (bergamot, citron, lavender, sandalwood, and musk) can also cause photosensitive reactions wherever they are applied to the skin.
If you wear these scents and plan to spend time outside, it's a good idea to throw on some sunscreen or sunblock. Better yet, avoid using fragrances altogether. They attract nasty, biting insects. And, really, who cares how nicely you smell in the bush?
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