Choosing the right sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. One of the important things to consider when choosing a sunscreen is whether the product provides comprehensive protection against ultraviolet rays, as well as what an SPF level is.

Learn more about SPF and what SPF levels mean.

What is SPF?

On every sunscreen packaging, you will see a large number emblazoned on the product. The number, followed by the SPF or Sun Protection Factor, is a measurement used to indicate a sunscreen's ability to protect the skin from Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.

UVB rays are a type of ultraviolet light that can cause sunburn and contribute to the risk of skin cancer. The higher the number, the more UVB rays the sunscreen can filter out.

There are several things to understand about SPF numbers, including:

UVB protection

SPF numbers only measure protection against UVB rays, which are associated with the risk of sunburn and contribute to skin cancer. Meanwhile, the skin also needs protection from UVA exposure. This means that apart from looking at the SPF number, you also need to choose a sunscreen that provides broad protection, including against UVA rays.

Time comparison

The SPF number indicates how long it takes for UVB rays to hit the skin and cause sunburn, compared to the time without sunscreen.

For example, if after applying 2 mg of sunscreen per centimeter squared of skin surface area, it takes 15 times longer for the skin to burn after applying sunscreen than on skin without sunscreen, then the SPF number is 15.

Read More: Do We Need to Apply Sunscreen Daily?

Not linear

It is important to remember that SPF protection is not linear. That is, SPF 30 does not mean it will provide twice the protection of SPF 15. SPF 15 sunscreen blocks about 93% of all UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 sunscreen blocks almost all UVB rays, about 98%.

Usability effects

While sunscreens with higher SPF numbers will provide longer protection, this does not mean you can stay outdoors for long. All sunscreens should be reapplied regularly and adjusted according to your activity.

Choice of SPF Levels in Sunscreens

SPF levels that can be found in sunscreens include:

• SPF 15 (low protection): provides good protection for daily use under mild sun exposure conditions. Suitable for indoor or outdoor activities for very short periods.
• SPF 30 (medium protection): SPF 30 levels are more widely recommended by dermatologists as they provide good protection against daily sun exposure. It can be used for longer outdoor activities.
• SPF 50 or 50+ (high protection): provides higher protection than SPF 30. More suitable for use under more intense sun exposure, for example during a beach vacation or outdoor exercise.

It is important to remember that choosing SPF levels should consider many factors, such as skin type, length of sun exposure, activity, and skin condition. Consult a dermatologist if you have specific concerns regarding choosing SPF according to your skin type. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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