Scientists report that the ozone layer of our planet is getting smaller every year, thereby increasing the danger that the sun's rays carry with it. Physicians have long been strongly recommended to use sunscreen not only on the beach, but every day. This cream needs to be treated all parts of the body that are constantly open, that is, arms, neck, legs, shoulders and face. However, in order for the effect of the cream to be effective, you must choose it, guided by certain rules, as well as the parameters of your body, in particular the type of skin.
Level of sun protection
Each sunscreen has a parameter called the sun protection index. It is denoted by numbers. Any modern cream has at least two such indexes. One of them, SPF shows the level of protection provided by the cream from ultraviolet b-rays, the other, UVA - the level of protection against ultraviolet a-rays.
The most informative of them is the SPF parameter. If you see this abbreviation on the cream package, then you can be sure that this cream is sunscreen. The number, which is equal to SPF, means how many times the permissible time of sun exposure increases with the application of this drug.
For example, if on your skin the first reddening appears an hour after a continuous exposure to the sun, then in theory, with the active use of a protective cream with SPF equal to ten, you can stay in the sun without noticeable damage to the skin for about ten hours (although physicians such time of stay under the sun is not recommended categorically). This effect is achieved with the help of special additives that are part of the cream, such as a very fine powder of titanium dioxide, which works in the manner of many micromirrors that help reflect the ultraviolet rays.
This parameter SPF can vary from two to fifty. 2 - is the weakest protection, which protects only half of the most harmful ultraviolet - UV-B. The most common are SPF 10-15, which are excellent for protecting normal skin. The highest level of protection in the SPF 50 - they filter up to 98% of harmful radiation.
Most cosmeticians use the Thomas Fitzpatrick table to determine the patient's skin type (phototype), depending on the degree of melanocyte activity.
In this scale, there are six types of skin. The last two here we will not give, because people with such skin usually live in Africa and other such hot countries. Among the Europeans there are four phototypes. Its type is not so difficult to determine, here are the properties of each of them.
I phototype
Very white skin with a pinkish tinge. Often there are freckles. Usually it is blue-eyed blondes (blondes) or red people with fair skin. Their skin is very difficult to tan, it burns very quickly. Often this is 10 minutes. For them, only a cream with high protection, with SPF not less than 30, will suit them - the remaining funds are unlikely to help.
II phototype
The second phototype of the skin is light, freckles are extremely rare, the hair is light, the eyes are green, brown, gray. For them, the deadline for continuous exposure to the sun is no more than a quarter of an hour, after which the probability of obtaining sunburns sharply increases. They should use creams with SPF equal to 20 or 30 the first week of the hot sun, after which the cream should be changed to another, which has a lower parameter 2-3 times.
III phototype
Skin dark, eyes brown, hair usually dark brown or chestnut. Safe time in the sun is about half an hour. They prefer to use sun cream with SPF from 15 to 6.
IV phototype
Brunettes with dark skin and dark eyes. They can be in the sun for up to 40 minutes without burns. For them, a cream with SPF from 10 to 6 is best.
Also an important timing for the correct choice of protective cream from the sun is where you are going to stay in the sun for a long time. If you plan to relax in the mountains or engage in water sports, it is better to take a cream with a high degree of protection - SPF30. It also works well for children's skin.