Factor Value Indicating the Effect of Sunscreen What is SPF?

‘Sun keeps the doctor away.’ The sun’s rays, which are important enough to be the subject of a proverb, have countless benefits. However, as much as the benefits, the ultraviolet rays it exposes also have a lot of harm. Expressing the protection power of sunscreens that we frequently use in summer to protect against the negative effects of ultraviolet rays, and The factor value referred to by the abbreviation SPF it is extremely important.

The factor values ​​of sunscreens are generally 15, 30, 50, 75 and 100. Many users think that taking the highest one provides the most protection, but the SPF values ​​are actually not so clear-cut. These values, which basically indicate the duration of exposure to the sun, offer different protection effects depending on when you are exposed to ultraviolet rays. Let’s take a closer look at what SPF is And let’s see what the factors values ​​mean.

What is sun protection factor SPF?

Sun Protection Factor, in Turkish, sun protection factor, in short SPF; the sunscreen you use protects your skin from ultraviolet rays. It is a value that shows how much it protects. The SPF value determines the time the wearer will stay under the sun without being damaged. In order to feel the full effect of the sun protection factor, it is necessary to use the recommended amount of sunscreen.

What do expressions like ’30 SPF, 50 SPF, 100 SPF’ mean?

In our country and in the world Commonly used sunscreen factors have SPF values ​​of 15 and 30. This is how the sunscreen values ​​​​recommended by dermatologists are already. However, you can see sunscreens with an SPF of 50, 75 or even 100 on the market. So, what do all these factor values ​​mean?

The SPF value actually offers a technically simple multiplier. If your skin starts to burn and get damaged within 10 minutes under normal conditions when you go out into the sun without applying sunscreen, then when you apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 This time increases to 15 times, that is to 150 minutes.

Let’s see that this multiplier in all SPF values cannot be applied directly. In other words, you cannot wear 100 SPF sunscreen and enjoy yourself under the sun for a thousand minutes. It is possible to list the protection effects of SPF values ​​as follows;

• 15 SPF blocks 93% of ultraviolet rays.
• 30 SPF blocks 97% of ultraviolet rays.
• 50 SPF blocks 98% of ultraviolet rays.
• 100 SPF blocks 99% of ultraviolet rays.

In other words, contrary to the general acceptance, the sun protection factor is not just a matter of duration. Where, when and for how long you were exposed to sunlight It will change the protection effect of the SPF value. If you’re thinking of applying 100 SPF sunscreen and enjoying yourself, it means you’re going to be hurting a lot in the evening.

How does sunscreen protect our skin?

The ultraviolet rays that come with sunlight first affect the outermost layer of our skin, called the epidermis. As the duration of exposure to the sun and the intensity of the rays increase, This effect can pass up to the dermis, which is a lower layer. These rays damage the skin and can cause problems that can cause skin cancer in the future. So a cool tan is actually our damaged skin.

When sunscreens are used in the recommended amount forming a layer on top of our skin It prevents the damage caused by ultraviolet rays. We can think of it like sunglasses. When we wear sunglasses, our vision is not blocked or the light is not completely lost, but the discomfort is greatly reduced. The working principle of sunscreen is exactly like this.

When used as recommended, sunscreen Its SPF value offers its maximum protection effect. However, many people take sunscreen a bit lightly and apply a quarter or at most half the required amount. In this case, the protection power of the SPF value provides a much lower effect than normal.

Which SPF sunscreen should we use?

Sunscreens recommended by dermatologists have an SPF of 15 and 30. These SPF values ​​that block 93% and 97% ultraviolet rays In many cases, it will provide adequate protection for most people. However, not every person’s skin is the same, and the burning value of sunlight received by every geography is not the same. The period of time you are exposed to ultraviolet rays is also extremely important.

Exposure to sunlight for 1 hour in the morning and when the sun is about to set, and at noon 15 minutes of exposure to sunlight equally harmful. This is where the SPF values ​​become meaningless. Because the protection power of the SPF value, which says that you can stay under the sun 15 times longer, is not the same for every hour.

A similar situation applies to skin types and region. We all The difference between the burning effect between the Black Sea sun and the Mediterranean sun. we know. Likewise, people with darker skin color and people with lighter skin color have different reactions when they are under the sun. So what shall we do?

First, go to a dermatologist. Find out your skin type and get advice. Take the sunscreen with the most suitable SPF value according to which hours you will be under the sun, in which region you are and your skin color. In our country, even the whitest skin can be protected with a factor of 30 sunscreen. However, it is always best to seek advice from an expert.

Factors that change the SPF protection effect:

• hours of exposure to sunlight.
• The area exposed to sunlight.
• Skin color and skin structure of the person who wears sunscreen.
• The amount of sunscreen applied.
• Frequency of reapplying sunscreen.
• Activities to do after applying sunscreen.

We talked about the importance of hours of exposure to sunlight, the area and skin type. Another important issue is Frequency of reapplying sunscreen and what to do after applying sunscreen. People who are under intense sun and have sensitive skin can maximize the protection effect of the SPF value by applying the right amount of sunscreen at regular intervals, over and over again.

What you do after applying sunscreen is also extremely important. I applied the sunscreen and jumped into the water. If you say you put on the sunscreen and ran, the cream is gone again due to reasons such as sweating and friction. After applying the sunscreen, you will either sit quietly or reapply it frequently to renew the protection effect. Otherwise, it burned, my beautiful cit.

Factor value showing the protection power of sunscreen, which helps us to be protected from the harmful effects of sunlight. What is SPF We answered the question and talked about the factor values ​​and the details you need to know about the use of sunscreen. Since every skin type is unique, you should definitely consult a specialist when you have any problems.