Using Sun Cream to Prevent A Sunburn

Summer comes and young women prepare to buy sun cream. However, can you choose the appropriate sun cream? Here are 5 tips on choosing and wearing sun cream.

1.Choose a broad-spectrum sun cream. The sun produces two types of ultraviolet (UV) rays -- UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays can burn your skin, while UVA rays cause premature aging, such as wrinkles and dark spots. For the best protection, you should use a sun cream that protects against both types of rays, so check the label to ensure that it provides full- or broad-spectrum protection.

2.Select an appropriate SPF. A sun cream's SPF measures how well it protects your skin from UVB rays compared to not wearing it. For example, if it normally takes 20 minutes for your skin to turn red, a product with SPF15 will typically prevent sunburn for 15 times longer. You should use a product that has an SPF of at least 15.

  If you’re only going to be spending a few minutes here and there in the sun, using a face moisturizer or aftershave with SPF15 is usually sufficient to protect your skin from burning.

  If you're extremely active and plan to spend most of the day outside, a water-resistant sun cream with a higher SPF, such as SPF30, is a better option.

  For pale, sensitive skin that burns easily, it's best to use a sun cream with an SPF50.

3.Check the expiration date. sun creams become less effective as they age, so it's important to use one that's still able to protect your skin. A date is usually printed somewhere on the bottle that indicates when the sun cream should be used by, so always check to ensure that it's still good to use.

4.Wear generously. If you don't wear enough sun cream, you won't get the full benefits, and may wind up burning. For the best protection, you need 1 ounce, or a shot glass full, of sun cream to cover your entire body, including your face, ears, and scalp.

5.Rewear regularly. If you are going to be in the sun for a prolonged period of time, your sun cream is going to wear off, putting you at risk for sunburn. To keep your skin protected, you must rewear every two hours when you're in the sun. If you’re swimming or sweating a lot, towel off and immediately rewear.