SPF, Sun Protection Factor

We all know about it, we all talk about it, but what exactly does SPF mean? Well I've done the research for you and everything you need to know is right here. As the title of this article suggests, SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor. This is a method for rating the level of sunburn protection in sunscreen products; but it is important to point out here that SPF is not a duration for how long one can be exposed to sunlight. Instead the level of protection SPF provides is different for every person, in that SPF is used as a multiplier for how much longer an individual can stay in the sun. Or put another way SPF is the ratio of how long it takes for protected skin to burn, to how long it takes for unprotected skin to burn. Let's clarify this with an example:

Lets say you are like the majority of North Americans and have a skin type of III. This means you burn moderately and tan gradually to light brown. On a hot sunny summer day your unprotected skin probably burns in 15 minutes or so. With this information you can estimate the level of protection an SPF of 8 provides by multiplying 15 minutes by 8, this gives 120 minutes or 2 hours before you'll burn. Again, for an SPF of 30 you multiply 15 minutes by 30, this gives 450 minutes or 7½ hours before you'll burn. Got the idea?

Sunscreens are available with SPFs as little as 2 and as high as 60 or more. Those sunscreens with an SPF of 2 to 11 provide minimal protection, an SPF from 12 to 29 provide moderate protection, and an SPF of 30 or more provide much higher protection. Typically an SPF of 15 or higher is recommended for most individuals who are going to be exposed to the sun for an hour or more. However if you are especially sensitive then a higher SPF sunscreen is recommended.

The absolute best way to protect yourself is to know which skin type you are and protect yourself accordingly. A certified tanning professional at a reputable tanning salon can help you with this.