| We would like to remind you that a sunscreen
or sunblock retains its SPF rating only by being applied in sufficient
quantity. As the Skin Cancer Foundation has stated for people who
intend to cover their entire body: “To ensure that you get
the full SPF of a sunscreen, you need to apply 1 oz – about
a shot glass full. Studies show that most people apply only half
to a quarter of that amount, which means the actual SPF they have
on their body is lower than advertised. Sunscreens should be applied
30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully
bind to the skin. Reapplication of sunscreen is just as important
as putting it on in the first place, so reapply the same amount
every two hours. Sunscreens should be reapplied immediately after
swimming, toweling off, or sweating a great deal.”
Quoted recently in a New York Times article, Dr. James M. Spencer,
a well-known Florida dermatologist, similarly recommends using about
a shot glass of sunscreen when covering the whole body and at least
a teaspoon for the face to achieve the SPF protection listed on
labels. We at Rosacea Care would go further and suggest doubling
that amount to be sure of adequate protection.
Since the Sun Protection Factor only measures how effective a product
is in preventing burn caused by the sun’s ultraviolet B rays
(UVB), one must be sure that ultraviolet A rays (UVA) are also being
controlled.
At one time, sunscreens were designed to “let through”
UVA for tanning while blocking UVB to prevent burning. Now we are
aware that UVA exposure can contribute to photoaging and other dermatolgical
conditions.
Dr. David M. Pariser, the president-elect of the American Academy
of Dermatology, suggests that one should select sunscreen products
that contain ingredients known to filter UVA.
Rosacea Care has two such ingredients in its Sunscreen “30”:
Zinc Oxide and Menthyl Anthranilate. The latter is the only liquid
FDA-approved sunscreen agent for UVA protection.
At the end of the day -- or perhaps we should say in the middle
of the day during peak sun hours -- use common sense and wear protective
clothing and sunglasses. If you are to be exposed to the sun, apply
sunscreen liberally. It is better to err on the side of too much
protection rather than too little.
| 
We
are always interested in responding to requests from our customers,
and so we are releasing our popular Sunscreen “30” in
a convenient, easy-to-carry 4 ounce (118 g) tube in addition to
our regular 6 oz. (177 g) tottle. While users appreciate the economy
of having the larger container, they have also asked for a smaller
packaging that could fit easily into a handbag or pocketbook.