WHAT DOES A SUN PROTECTION FACTOR (SPF) MEAN?
If you usually start to burn within 5 minutes, a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 protects your skin for 15 times as long, i.e. 75 minutes. Remember, there is no such thing as a ‘complete’ block. WHAT DOES UV MEAN? Ultra Violet rays are part of the light spectrum that reaches the earth. There are two kinds of UV rays that damage our skins. The broader UVB rays cause the browning reaction that we call ‘tanning’ and are responsible for the painful burning, redness and ultimately, skin cancer. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and can damage the structure of the cells, causing ageing, as well as increasing the risk of cancer. FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES TO BE SUNSMART! • Stay in the shade as much as possible or under an umbrella. Remember that UV rays reflect off cement, water, sand and even grass, so you can get sunburn in the shade! Remember, UV rays are not the same as heat. You can get overexposed even when it is cool, so take care on windy or overcast days. • Limi
