A sunburn, whether blistering, peeling, pink or just itchy, is a sign that your skin cells has been damaged from too much UV exposure. Over time the inflammation will heal and the burn will fade away; many of the sun damaged cells will die and peel away.
However minor or sporadic sunburns still increase your chances of contracting melanoma. One sunburn every two years can triple your risk of melanoma.
So a sunburn, no matter how severe, is bad. The best thing is to be sun smart, all year long, as it is possible to burn even through clouds.
The sun is at its strongest (most intense) between the hours of 10:00 and 16:00. Many years ago it was between 10:00-14:00 however the depletion if the ozone layer has meant that the sun is now more intense and its effects are felt for a longer period of time. All the more reason to use eco-friendly sun protection.
It is advised to practice sun smarts all year long. The adage that most have grown up with is to Slop, Slap, Slip – Slop on some sunscreen, Slap on a hat, and Slip on a t-shirt. Added to this is Seek and Slide – Slop on some SPF 30 sunscreen, Slap on a wide-brimmed hat, Slip on some summer clothes, Seek out some shade, and Slide on some sunglasses.
Dermatologists agree that in order to be effective sunscreen should have an SPF over 15, most suggesting 30. A broad spectrum sunscreen is also recommended as this will protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
In order for a sunscreen to be green, it has to be natural and biodegradable. This means that it will be zinc based rather than contain oxybenzone. Oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor and will not degrade and can cause hormone disruption.
Oxybenzone sunscreens should be applied 20 minutes before entering into the sun and should be reapplied every two hours. Zinc titanium sunscreens absorb faster and once applied, it is safe to step outside. These should be reapplied every 3 to 5 hours. In either case, sunscreen should be reapplied after swimming, and it should only be applied to dry skin.
There are some who believe that you should use sunscreens made where you are located. For example if you are in Australia to use an Australian sunscreen as that country would have done more thorough testing of the sun in that region. There is some validity to this, however applying a European sunscreen while in Asia is better than not applying sunscreen at all.
There is no difference to using a spray, cream, or lotion – all sunscreen will protect, just be sure to apply to all areas that are exposed to the sun. Those using a spray may be more likely to miss spots, and those using a lotion may have difficulty applying cream to their backs on their own. If either of these pose a problem, double apply the spray and/or ask a friend to apply lotion on your back.