Do sunscreens prevent tanning? {Reader's Query}

Sunscreens are essentially made to prevent the sun's rays to harm your skin and trigger skin cancer. But, depending on the strength of the sunscreen, it might have tanning prevention abilities. 

Physical Sunscreens

Predominantly used physical sunscreen agent, Zinc Oxide, is a broad spectrum sunscreen which protects skin from both UVA and UVB rays (both types). Generally, it helps a lot in preventing tanning. But, there is a loop hole here. The abilities of the sunscreen depends on the strength of its protection. For example, if you are using a spf 15 sunscreen, it filters out 92% (rounded figure) of the sun's rays and still allows 8% to go through. Those 8% of the sun's rays can still harm the skin. 

Similarly, when talking about Titanium Dioxide, it filters out all UVB rays but only half of UVA rays which reduces the strength of the sunscreen considerably. In spf 15, 8% of rays are still passing through to the skin and also, UVA rays are separately affecting your skin because the sunscreen can't block them. Also, Titanium Dioxide is responsible for generating free radicals in the body unless it is coated.

Chemical Sunscreens

The major issue with chemical sunscreen is the stability factor. The chemical ingredients breakdown on exposure to sunlight. Yes, that's a contradiction to the function of the product. That's the main reason why a sunscreen has to be reapplied after every two hours. Also, they have a tendency to generate free radicals in the body which can also trigger cancerous reaction within the body.

Also, let me say here that the "Helioplex" of Neutrogena is a stabilising formula (read this post for more details) to prevent the breakdown of the chemical sunscreen ingredients which makes its sunscreens effective on a longer length of time. But, again the strength of sunscreen decides the amount of rays passing through to the skin and they can cause tanning. 

Also, a sunscreen which doesn't have PA ratings gives no protection against UVA rays so still your skin is vulnerable to tanning and aging. PA ratings gives protection against the UVA rays and spf gives the protection strength against the UVB rays so a sunscreen needs to have both these factors mentioned for it to be a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Recommended Sunscreens:

MVO Moisturizing Face Screen
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock

Related Posts:

Do layers of sunscreens help? 

Sunscreen and Myths 

Dark and Dull Skin in summers 

Zinc Oxide vs Titanium Dioxide

Is my sunscreen working?

Surfaces and Radiations

What are UV Radiations?

What Sunscreen should I buy?

Sunscreen Ingredients

Use sunscreen 365 days a year

How much sunscreen do you apply?

Sunscreen: Role in anti-aging Skin Care

PS: Just checked out that Hermes stores are there in Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. Btw, any one has idea if there is a Hermes counter / Store in the Dubai airport, those duty free ones???

Do layers of sunscreens help? {Skin Care}

[Source:faithfulprovisions.com]

The first rule of applying sunscreen - The spf's of various products don't add up!!! If you are applying a moisturiser with spf, say x, then a sunscreen / foundation / BB cream with spf, say y, and then finish off with a mineral compact which again provides some spf, say z, factor, you can't say that the sum total of your sun protection factor is spf x+y+z.

But, something else bothers me in this rule!!! Well, when we have layers of product with spf factors, x, y or z, which spf does apply on the skin - x, y or z? Or, does it work like a filtering mechanism? Meaning, if supposing the top layer has spf of z, those many rays are allowed to pass (remember even 50 spf allows 2% sun rays to pass through, it provides around 98% protection!!). And, then, the next product spf, which is y, again filters out the rays according to its strength and so on!! 

Does that happen at all? Well. logically speaking, it does seem quite probable but I don't know how much of that really applies in practice. Would be great if some sunscreen expert can answer such questions!!! What are your thoughts on it?

How to treat Sunburns? {Skin Care}

Well, I know that summer is long past in Hyderabad but apparently Delhi is still very hot. Now, this is an impromptu post which I am putting up coz my dad just faced a sunburn yesterday after being exposed to the sun for a long time. So, what should be done to avoid and cure sunburns.

Avoid Sunburn

• Always apply a sunscreen of spf 30 or higher when you know that you would be in the sun for a very long time. Don't forget your sunscreen even if you are going ot the hills. You can get easily burnt in the hills as compared to plains (except beaches where there is a lot of sun rays reflection which are equally bad) simply because the rays of sun are much more damaging on the hills because of the distance from sea level.
• Wear proper clothes and try to keep all the areas covered specially the sensitive regions like the neck and back.
• Always carry an umbrella not matter how many layers of clothing you have put on yourself. 
• Try to be in shade whenever you can.

Now, I would also mention that sunscreens are meant to prevent skin cancer but you skin can still burn or get tanned so do not rely completely on the sunscreens.

Treat Sunburn

• Apply cool things like ice packs. If ice pack is not there, apply cold water. Just pour it over the body. Don't use a wash cloth or a sponge. Leave the sunburnt area to maximum air and make sure the air is cool. 
• Wash the sunburnt area immediately with cold water and do not rub the area at all. In fact don't touch the area. Avoid using soap on the affected area and do not apply any moisturizer or astringent or toner too even if they claim to have cooling properties. 
• Wear loose-fitting clothes to avoid irritation and aid proper air circulation.
• Take a soft cloth and soak it in cold milk and cover the sunburnt area with the cloth for 30 minutes or so. This provides relief.
• Aloevera gel is extremely cooling so always carry aloevera gel in your toilet kit no matter where you go - on the beach or on the hills. It is useful for cuts and nicks too. 
• Sandalwood paste can be applied to the area but be careful to just tap the paste ont he area. Don't rub to spread it.
• Slices of cucumber, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelon can be used.
• A paste of mint leaves also helps in cooling the skin. 
• A paste of apricots is also helpful.
• Spraying green tea or taking a green tea bath (mix green tea in bath water) is also helpful as tannins in the tea helps control inflammation of the skin.
• Do not scrub the sunburnt areas even if you feel they have healed. Give it two weeks at least to heal properly and a week more to ensure there is no sensitivity. Stay out of sun in the mean time.

Food for Sunburns

Not only the remedies but diet is also very important to speed up the recovery.

• Eating a proper balanced diet is very important.
• Drink lots of milk and fluids.
• Increase the intake of Vitamin C and E, betacarotenes (found in carrots and all orange and yellow colored vegetables and fruits) and Zinc (peanuts, dairy products, beans, brown rice and bread, potato, yogurt and pumpkin seeds).