Sun protection can be confusing and it is important to know what terms like UV Radiation, Broad Spectrum, and SPF mean so you can make an informed choice. In this blog post we delve into the intricacies of sun protection terminology, specifically focusing on the meaning of Broad Spectrum SPF. Understanding this term is crucial for making decisions about protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Let’s break it down together.

UVA vs. UVB

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation travels along with visible light from the sun to the earth. The UV radiation is made up of UVA, UVB, and UVC wavelengths and each have their own characteristics.

UVA rays are the longest and most durable. They pass straight through the ozone layer, penetrate through cloud cover and also glass. They are known as the “aging rays” because they go deep into the skin breaking down elastomers which can lead to wrinkles and discoloration.

UVB rays are slightly shorter wavelengths and mostly blocked by the ozone layer. These do not penetrate cloud cover or glass. They are known as the “burning rays” because they primarily affect the outer layer of the skin leading to sunburn.

Let’s be clear though.

Overexposure to either can lead to skin cancer. It is very important to protect yourself from both types of radiation and understand that just because it is cloudy, or you are inside, does not mean that you are entirely safe from the negative effects of the sun. You need to protect yourself by wearing proper clothing, limiting exposure time, and wearing sunscreen on exposed areas.

The Basics of Broad Spectrum SPF

The acronym SPF stands for “sun protection factor”; but only against UVB “burning rays”. Wait…What?

“Broad Spectrum” means that the product protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Products that do not state “Broad Spectrum” are not blocking UVA radiation and you are not fully protecting your skin. Many products in the marketplace are rated only for SPF, so be sure to really look at the labels if you want to prevent premature aging and the more serious types of skin cancer.

Do I Need 30 or 50?

It may seem like a sunscreen with a rating of 50 would be almost twice as strong as one with a rating of 30, but this is not the case.

SPF 30 blocks 97% of the sun’s harmful rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98%. No sunscreen blocks 100% of the sun’s rays. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends 30 SPF for this reason. Anything over a 50 rating is really just marketing designed to give people a false sense of security.

Remember that no matter what the SPF you still need to reapply every few hours for it to be effective. A higher number does not mean that the protection lasts for a longer period of time, another common misconception.

What about Water Resistance?

When participating in physical activities you are going to want some degree of water resistance so that the sunscreen stays put while you sweat. If you are actively in the water then you will require this even more so.

Water resistance can be for 40 minutes or 80 minutes, no product is rated for shorter or longer, and no product is 100% waterproof. If your sunscreen is not water resistant then please do not engage in any activities that could cause it to come off while you are wearing it.

Application Importance

Remember that none of the above information matters if you do not apply your sunscreen correctly. You should apply enough sunscreen to cover exposed areas of your body. It is recommended most adults use 1 ounce to cover the entire body.

You can get a rough idea of how much you need for your exposed areas by multiplying the total body surface area percentage by 1 ounce. For instance, the face represents 4.5% of an average adult’s total body surface. 1 ounce multiplied by 4.5% is .045 of an ounce, or a dollop about the size of a nickel.

You also need to reapply sunscreen every few hours on land and even more often in the water. Look to the label for reapplication guidance.

Regulation

Public use of the terms and corresponding numbers above is federally regulated by the FDA and any brand must be able to verify their claims with standardized test results performed at approved facilities.

The specific tests are for SPF rating, Broad Spectrum protection, and Water Resistance. They are performed on human subjects in controlled environments that approximate real world conditions.

Again this is a regulated testing protocol , so unless you can prove it you can’t legally claim it!

Wrapping Up

The terminology used in sunscreen marketing and labeling can be somewhat confusing at first glance. However, once you understand a few details the terms do provide key information about the type and level of protection that each product provides. The FDA regulates this terminology, which means that once you understand it you can compare any brand’s information and make the best choice for yourself.

This will include deciding whether to go with a physical or chemical product. We did not discuss that here but you can check out all the information in our blog post Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen: Which Is Right For You?

The American Academy of Dermatology makes it very straight forward and recommends that everyone use sunscreen that is::
Broad Spectrum
SPF 30
Water Resistant

There you go, you should be able to understand the meaning of Broad Spectrum and the other terms used here now. If you have any questions about any of the general information here give us a shout at whatsup@allswellgoods.com. If you have any questions relative to your specific health situation please reach out to your physician.

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And if you need any of our mineral sunscreen you can pick it up here!

Have fun out there!

Almost forgot…

There is a third type of radiation that travels with light which we mentioned in the intro but didn’t detail in the post..

UVC is the shortest wavelength and least durable; but most dangerous. It gets trapped in the ozone layer of the planet. If the ozone layer depletes to the point UVC exposure becomes an issue you may need to break out the moon suit as opposed to the sunscreen… just say’in!

Broad Spectrum SPF Meaning Unveiled!