SPF

It is all likely to assume that SPF came to existence with the advent of the most irrefutable hypothesis that the world is indeed warming. Now, with light being shed on critical viewpoints concerning the global warming trend, SPF is still as marketable as ever. That’s because, whatever the polarization of global warming will be, sun is still hot.

The SPF is the laboratory measure of the efficiency of a sunscreen in screening UV - B rays. The SPF factor in a sunscreen lotion would indicate the likely time an individual can get sunburned using a sunscreen relative to the time an individual can get sunburned without using sunscreen. So when a bather uses a sunscreen lotion with an SPF factor of 10 would be expected to burn in the sun after 120 minutes, in contrast to one who isn’t using any sunscreen at all would get sunburned after 12 minutes. Of course other factors are to be considered, such as the skin type of the bather, the amount and the frequency of the application, and the activity by which the bather engages in. So after 2 hours, it is expected that the bather would have reapplication of the sunscreen, though of course it is again dependent on the several factors previously stated.

However, a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 doesn’t generally provide better protection than others of lower SPF grades. Again, the involved activities are is major factor. Swimming do washes away a greater portion of sunscreen, thereby also lowering its sun blocking action however larger its SPF grade is. Although swimming can also shelter your body from direct sunlight, whereas playing in the beach may not wash away the sunscreen lotion, yet it also places your body in direct exposure to sunlight.

There are many ways why SPF is a flawed measure to UV protection, aside from those already stated above. There is also another type of radiation in sunlight, aside from UV. There is UV – A, another type of radiation that’s inherently harder to block. The burning doesn’t manifest itself by skin reddening since it damages the tissues deep underneath the skin. This radiation is more dangerous and several tests show it caused far more damage, increasing the risk of malignant melanomas.

However, when doing prolonged activities outdoors, or just a part of a beauty regimen, the usage of lotions with SPF bears no debilitating effects and considered to be generally safe. In the light of recent events, it was found out that PABA, among other things can increase the risk for cancer. As of today, leading cosmetic companies had drastically shifted from sunscreen products containing PABA to sunscreen products not contain any PABA, or if it does, uses its safer and more efficient derivative, which is the octyl dimethyl PABA.

Here are some popular samples of products containing SPF from Mary Kay

Being one of the foremost cosmetics manufacturers in the United States, Mary Kay has several skin care products designed for outdoor usage. In the TimeWise selection, there is the TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer Sunscreen with SPF 15. This beauty product is designed for the women on the go. Not to avoid sunlight but to take a fair share of vitamin D while walking her way to the office. It contains SPF 15, about 2.5 hours of exposure. And by that time, the workingwoman should have arrived revitalized and refresh at the place of work.

Another from Mary Kay is a men’s moisturizer with SPF. The MKMen Moisturizer Sunscreen has a SPF of 25, providing for the more active lifestyle of most males. With an SPF for at least 4 hours, any activity can be enjoyed protected. In or out the water, the MKMen is designed to be tough wearing, just like him.

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.