Due to a recently revised Australian Standard being announced, upping the previously capped level of SPF 30 to SPF 50+ by the end of the year, we’re shining the light on SPF 50+ sunscreen. What is SPF 50+? What difference will it make? And why all the controversy? We investigate… By Katie Martlew
First–face the facts: Here in the land of the Bronzed Aussie, we may be renowned as having some of the best beaches in the world, but far less boast-worthy–we’re also known for having the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Shockingly, over 430,000 Australians are treated for skin cancer each year, with one Aussie dying from the disease every eight hours.
What is SPF? “The SPF of a sunscreen is derived by taking the time it takes you to burn with a sunscreen and dividing it by the time taken for you to burn without a sunscreen. For example if you burn in 300 minutes with a sunscreen and 10 minutes without a sunscreen, this is 300/10 = 30. So the sunscreen will have an SPF of 30. Following on from this, an SPF 50+ will offer 50 times your natural protection, if you put it on correctly and reapply as recommended,” says Dr Kerryn Greive, Head of R&D at Ego Pharmaceuticals.
What’s the difference between SPF 30+ and SPF 50+? Contrary to popular belief, the protection is NOT almost double. In reality, by using SPF 50 there is only a 1.3 percent increase in protecting yourself from harmful rays. When used correctly, SPF 30 will block 97% of UV light, while an SPF 50+ will block out around 98.3%.
Why all the controversy surrounding SPF 50? According to the Australian Cancer Council, the concern is that the new SPF 50+ rating is misleading, and may give consumers a false sense of security–that they may think that by using an SPF 50+ sunscreen, it drastically increases their level of protection, hence may be inclined to use less of it, or won’t apply it as often–when in reality, the extra level of protection is minute.
Can increasing the SPF of sunscreen cause vitamin D deficiency? Not so, according to Dr Kerryn, who says that even with sunscreen on, if you go into the sun, you will get enough vitamin D, as sunscreen does not prevent us from producing it.
The final verdict? “The better the sun protection we can wear each and every day, the better our lifetime protection will be,” says Dr Kerryn. “Moving to SPF 50 is a great step forward for Australia as it means we will have access to the best possible sun protection. The debate surrounding SPF 50 has been the result of Australia realising how important this issue is, and wanting to be sure that it is done right. The team at SunSense are strong supporters of the move to SPF 50,” she says.
Want to know what kind of an effect the sun has really had on your skin? Jump aboard the SunSense UV Photobus this October for your free UV skin analysis. Click here for info.
