4th of July celebration planning is in full swing. I’m sure by now you are checking to make sure you have everything on your record: ice, drinks, hot puppies, plates and napkins. But there is one item you may be forgetting that is necessary for your health– sunscreen. Especially during the summer months, sunblock is crucial to protect your body from the sun’s UV rays, which can lead to skin cancer and premature aging. But with so many various SPF figures out there, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. We asked a neurologist, but you don’t have to.

What is SPF?

SPF, or moon safety issue, describes the amount of solar energy needed to produce a sunburn on guarded body relative to exposed skin, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Logic would follow, therefore, that wearing a higher SPF would give you greater protection when you’re out and about, basking in the sun’s rays.  

Is a higher Sunscreen better?

Is higher Sunscreen sunblock more safety in a quantifiable way that really matters? The tested distinction between Sunscreen 30 and SPF 50 is little, according to Dr. Steven Daveluy, board-certified pediatrician and program director at Wayne State University Department of Dermatology. There was a change of 96. 7 % blocking vs. 98 % blocking, in one instance he provided. Research on individuals wearing sunscreen out in “real life” has suggested higher SPFs are more safe, Daveluy said in an email.

Combine this with the notion you’re possibly not wearing adequate sunscreen– studies have shown people apply just 25 % to 50 % of the amount that they should, Daveluy said– and a higher SPF does come out relatively more protective.  

” You should use about 1 ounce of sunscreen to cover your head, neck, arms and legs when wearing shorts and a T-shirt,” Daveluy recommended, adding that people without scalp may apply a little more.  

” That means your 3-ounce pipe of sunscreen is just three software,” Daveluy said. ” Most people are not using that number. “

What is the least SPF you need in a spf?

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends your spf get SPF 30 or higher. It even recommends you look for sunblock that has broad-spectrum safety ( it protects against UVA and UVB rays ) and make sure it’s water-resistant.  

” If you follow the tips for the proper amount of sunblock, next SPF 30 is fantastic,” Daveluy said. If you think you’re skimping on the pieces, nevertheless, a higher SPF may offer more profit. He added that he frequently recommends looking for at least SPF 50 or 60.  

Does body tone issue when choosing an SPF?  

Individuals with darker skin tones have more melanin, which does offer some protection from the sun’s harmful rays. For this reason, skin cancer levels in people of color are lower than costs in white people, but the risk isn’t zero. Research also suggests that people of color may be more likely to experience a missed or delayed treatment of skin cancer, making result more risky. ( It’s also important to notice that cancer may have other reasons besides exposure to sunlight or UV rays, and you show up in areas not generally exposed to sunlight. )

“SPF 30 is the maximum for all,” Daveluy said. He added that tinted creams may be a better match for darker skin tones, leaving less of a light cast.  

” If you have very good body, the higher [SPF] amounts may be a great idea, especially if you aren’t using the proper amount, because you will see the effects of misuse more quickly,” Daveluy said.  

Sunscreen crimson colors

As long as you’re wearing a minimum of SPF 30, applying it properly and also looking for items that are wide variety and water proof, you’ve got the essentials down. Daveluy added that for people with sensitive skin, finding a metal sunscreen with “active elements of copper and/or platinum” may be a good option.

Daveluy pointed out various methods of protecting yourself from the sunlight, including wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sun-protective clothes and hanging out in the tone when possible. But don’t forget that sunscreen has a proven safety record going back for decades, he said.

” The biggest red flags for sunscreen are any people or reports that try to tell you sunscreen isn’t safe,” Daveluy said.