Since the late 1960s, sunscreen products touted as the solution to summer sunburns and as the panacea to increased incidences of skin cancer have become a staple purchase. Most of those sunscreens successfully blocked the UV-B rays of the sun, ultraviolet radiation that can cause sunburn and skin cancer, but they did not provide protection from UV-A rays, longer wave length rays of ultraviolet light that contribute to skin cancer and skin damage. Helioplex offers that protection.

Dr William A. Notaro, a dermatologist affiliated with Danbury Hospital, and Dr Grace Federman of Advanced Derm Care in Danbury, are happy to see the improved sunscreen products on the market.

“The SPF [sun protection factor] number is a measure of UV-B rate,” explained Dr Federman. “That’s the rate of how long it takes to get sunburned. For example, if a person would burn in two minutes, an SPF of 2 would allow them four minutes before they burned, and so on.” The higher the SPF number, the greater the protection offered. However, studies that came out a few years ago, she said, showed that there was not a huge difference in protection after an SPF number of 15. So why do doctors and skin care specialists regularly recommend sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or greater then?

“New studies have shown that the average person uses less than one-quarter of the recommended amount of sunscreen,” said Dr Federman. “We recommend a number of 30 to 45 so that people get enough SPF.”

According to Dr Federman and Dr Notaro, the amount of sunscreen people should use is approximately one ounce to the entire body, applied one-half hour before sun exposure. “That would be about a good two tablespoons worth,” said Dr Notaro, enough to generously fill the palm. “You have to put [sunscreen] on pretty thickly.” Another ounce should be reapplied every two hours.

 “That means an individual should go through an eight-ounce bottle [of sunscreen] every two to three days,” said Dr Federman. “If you are coming back from vacation with half a bottle left, you are probably coming home burned.” Learning to apply the correct amount is a hard thing to do, though, she admits, and most people fall far from the mark.

Until this year, sunscreens that have been marketed mostly offer protection from the UV-B rays, she said. “There is no number that measures UV-A protection,” said Dr Federman. “Up to this point, the ingredients that have UV-A protection have been physical blocks, blocks with particles that sit on the skin and are not absorbed into the system like sunscreens. To protect against UV-A rays, you need titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as an ingredient,” she said.

While the physical blocks are best for people who are sensitive to sunscreens or have allergic reactions to sunscreens, the blocks have traditionally been rather unattractive, white coatings that dissuade people from using them. Fortunately, said the doctors, zinc oxide is now micronized, making it far less obvious when applied. “If you apply titanium or zinc oxide products in multiple small dots and spread it evenly, it is not very obvious,” commented Dr Notaro.

“The other good UV-A block approved in the United States is avobenzone,” said Dr Federman. “It is marketed as Parsol™. Look for it on the label.” The downside of avobenzone, however, is that the product is not stable in the sun. “It doesn’t last long once it is applied,” she said.

That is where Helioplex™ comes to the rescue. When avobenzone is combined with Helioplex™, a stabilizing ingredient, it is no longer unstable in light. The new sunscreens with Helioplex™ provide a wider spectrum of protection. Plus, people are more likely to use the combination product, said Dr Federman. “These new products are not a physical block, so they feel lighter.”

Products containing Helioplex™ and avobenzone are available as lotions, creams, or sprays. Just as the quantity of sunscreen is important to effective skin care, the delivery system of application can affect how well a product works, said Dr Federman.

“Sprays and dry-touch sunscreens are easier to use, especially for hard to reach places like the back, and that means people will use them. But sprays must be reapplied more frequently.” That is because sprays are not water resistant like the thicker lotions and creams. “Sprays wash off,” she warned.

Regardless of the method of delivery, Dr Notaro stressed the importance of reapplying sunscreen. “You lose SPF protection when you swim,” he said. He also suggests that patting dry after being in the water is preferable to vigorous rubbing.

All sunscreens can be applied to the face, said Dr Federman, but those formulated specifically for the face are less likely to sting if sweating causes it to run into the eyes. They are also noncomedogenic, meaning that they are not as apt to cause breakouts for acne prone or sensitive skin.

Moisturizers and makeup foundations that contain sunscreen are particularly good for everyday use, said Dr Notaro. “They are not as heavy as regular sunscreens and offer some sun protection on a daily basis.”

The best advice, of course, is to stay out of the sun for extended periods. “The less sun, the better,” said Dr Notaro. “Avoid the peak hours of 11 am to 3 pm when the sun is at its worst. Don’t use sunscreen as an excuse to stay out in the sun all day,” he said.

Even cutting-edge sunscreens cannot prevent sun damage to skin that is overexposed. “People should use sunscreen every day,” said Dr Federman. “It gets them in a good habit.”