All Sunscreens have a rating that helps you to decide the level of protection needed when exposed to periods in the sun. The sunscreen rating SPF stands for “Sun Protective Factor” and can vary from person to person. Basically the SPF is a rough estimate of how long a person can be in the sun before they get burned. For example, if you can remain 5 minutes in the sun before burning then you would multiply that number by the SPF rating displayed on the sunscreen i.e. SPF 15 × 5 min = 75 min of protection before needing to reapply. The sunscreen SPF rating scale measures UVB rays only. Newer sunscren products called “Broad-spectrum” help to protect from the harmful UVA rays which are now know to contribute to aging skin and skin cancer. In June of 2011, the FDA<http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm258940.htm> handed down new rules for the testing and labeling of sunscreen that should go into effect by June of 2012. Sunscreens although important often give people a false sense of security and lead them to spending more time exposed to the sun. Remember the need to reapply as directed and the use, in conjunction with protective clothing, sunglasses and of course your Etsis Hat, is imperative to protecting yourself from sun’s harmful rays.
UVA
