Common SPF Myths

The temperatures have heated up lately so no doubt you will hear us banging on about the importance of SPF for the upcoming weeks. When speaking to clients about their sunscreen habits, we hear so many commonly believed myths that mean we aren't protecting our skin as we should be during these times of heightened sun exposure.

My body is covered so I don't need sunscreen

Just because you're wearing a maxi dress to cover your legs or sleeves to shield your arms, it doesn't mean they are fully protected. The lightweight, airy fabrics we wear during the summer months only offer on average the equivalent of an SPF 7 cream! Double up your protection with a high factor and clothing.

I always sit in the shade to stay safe

This one works in the same way as clothing and can lead you into a false sense of security. You may not feel the rays on the skin but that doesn't mean the UV radiation isn't there. Did you know that sand reflects up to 17% of UV radiation? Sitting under the parasol just won't cut it I'm afraid.

I've got a once a day formula so I don't need to reapply

It can be a pain lugging around bottles of SPF with you so once a day formulas can be very tempting. Can a product guarantee you will receive SPF 50 protection all day long? The simple answer is no, despite what the packaging claims.Perspiration and swimming will obviously rinse away the formula, but things such as sitting on a chair, laying on a sun lounger or wearing a t-shirt can rub off the product. In fact, you can see up to a 74% decrease in protection by the end of the day.Sun-savvy Australia have banned once a day formulas for their misleading claims. Reapply your sunblock every 1-2 hours to maintain a steady level of protection throughout the day.

I don't wear SPF as I need to boost my vitamin D levels

This is absolutely not a reason to avoid sun protection. Just 10-15 minutes of sun exposure provides sufficient vitamin D levels to the body.

I have dark skin so don't need to worry

Yes, it's true that the melanin levels make darker skins less susceptible to burning, but it doesn't offer you sun protection. Darker skins are no more protected against the effects of sun exposure such as premature wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and even skin cancers.

For any sun safety questions you have, our skin experts are on hand 6 days a week to offer free advice. Give them a call on 0113 282 7744.

Written for you by: Ellie, Face the Future