1. If I'm wearing a good sunscreen, I can stay in the sun as long as I want.
2. A sunscreen of SPF 30 blocks twice as much UV radiation as one with an SPF of 15.
3. How often do you need to reapply water-resistant sunscreen?
4. Acquiring a 'base tan' at an indoor tanning salon is a good way to prevent sunburn for the first few days of a sunny vacation.
5. What is the most common mistake when applying sunscreen?
Answers:
1. The correct answer is b) false.
No sunscreen provides complete protection from UV rays and the heat from the sun can be drying and damaging to the skin. The Canadian Cancer Society recommends that people seek shade and limit time in the sun between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. or any time of the day when the UV Index is 3 or higher. (In Canada, the UV Index is provided in the Weather section of newspapers.) You should also cover up with a shirt, wear a wide brimmed hat, and wear sunglasses that screen out UV light to protect your eyes.
2. The correct answer is b) false.
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) applies to how long a sunscreen or block will protect your skin, when applied correctly. Fair-skinned people begin to burn in about 15 minutes on a sunny day, so correctly applying a sunscreen of SPF 15 would prevent sunburn for about 225 minutes (15 x 15 = 225). That’s 3 hours and 45 minutes. The SPF 30 sunscreen should last for 450 minutes (30 x 15 = 450), or 7 hours and 30 minutes. To achieve this level of protection, you will need to reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours. Be sure to choose a broad spectrum product that blocks both UVB and UVA light.
3. The correct answer is d) all of the above.
To provide the stated level of protection, most sunscreens need to be reapplied every 2 hours or sooner. (Please check the label for accurate information.) Water-resistant sunscreens are designed to protect you when swimming or sweating, and may only be protective for 40 or so minutes. (Again, read the label carefully and apply according to instructions.) Since sunscreen usually rubs off when you use a towel, be sure to reapply after drying yourself.
4. The correct answer is b) false.
The “base tan" acquired from sunbed use provides very little protection against sunburn—equivalent to using a sunscreen with an SPF of 4. Since these beds emit a high percentage of deeply penetrating UVA light, they cause damage to the lower layers of the skin, where wrinkles form. Despite what some salon owners may tell you, there is no such thing as a "safe tan."
5. Although it is important to wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and to apply it on all areas of exposed skin, the correct answer to this question is b) using too little sunscreen and waiting too long to reapply it.
Adults need a full ounce of sunscreen to cover their arms, legs, face, hands, neck, and ears. That’s roughly one quarter of a 120 ml bottle. Spreading the sunscreen too thin cuts the protection in half. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours or sooner.
If you answered all five questions correctly, congratulations. You are sun savvy and will likely grow old with enviable skin. You will also markedly reduce your risk of getting skin cancer if you apply your knowledge. You can learn more about sun safety at the Canadian Cancer Society’s website, www.cancer.ca (click “prevention” and follow the links).
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