What's the truth about Sun Cream Factor Numbers?

Question

We are off on holiday and the g/f says my choice of Factor 30 sun cream will be useless. She suggests a number which, wearing that, I could swim the English Channel.

Answer 1

There are some interesting facts on this here:

http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/defaul...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/articl...

I am from NZ so we're pretty strict with the SPF.  I find in Europe and the UK people are pretty unaware of how damaging the sun is, and simple things - like the fact you can get sun damage just walking to the shops on your lunch hour - come as a surprise to most.  You need to reapply sunscreen every two or three hours, or more if you are swimming or doing physical activity.  Most people seem to apply it once, and then they go out and bake.  (And on a side note, I can't understand all the women who go to sunbeds or bake in the sun and then spend hundreds of dollars buying anti-wrinkle creams, when UV protection is the best form of defense to begin with!)  The thing about skin damage is once you can see it, the damage has been done, so best to be vigilent about it in the beginning.  

However, I did think SPF 30 would be enough for a Europe cycling trip recently.  I ended up with sun poisoning on my legs.  SPF 30 might be ok if you can reapply it constantly (you can sweat it off)... In the end I bought a bottle of SPF 50 and I was fine. You still need to reapply it, but naturally, the higher SPF the better.

The Cancer Research link has some very interesting facts about how much protection sunscreen can give you, so check it out.

Answer 2

i heard that if you don't wear a shot glass worth of sun cream you won't be getting the full factoe stated on the bottle. Its hard to say what sun cream you need as i depends on your skin colouring etc but it does no harm going for a higher factor you still tan whilst wearing sun cream u just don't burn, apply as stated before a shot glass worth and often and u will be fine i would still feel the need to apply after swimming even when using a waterproof cream