Does SPF 30 have twice as much sun protection as SPF 15?

Dr.Barai · Mar 3rd, 2007, 00:52

SPF protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. In higher SPFs, such as an SPF of 30, 97 percent of sunburning rays are deflected, while an SPF of 15 indicates 93 percent deflection and an SPF of 2 equals 50 percent deflection.

http://www.aad.org/public/News/DermI...nscreenFAQ.htm

Research Note
Research suggests that high SPF sunscreens are an appropriate choice for very sun sensitive individuals (skin types I and II). One study determined that skin protected by an SPF 15 sunscreen and then exposed to 15 times the minimum dose of sunlight normally required to cause redness produced 2.5 times the number of sunburn cells seen in SPF 30 protected skin with the same dose of sunlight. These results suggest that prevention of redness does not necessarily mean prevention of all sun-induced damage. More research is currently underway on the protective effects of sunscreens on different skin types. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1990, 22(3): 449-452; Kaidbey, K.H.

Maheswara_shishya · Mar 10th, 2007, 22:57

Yeah i had actually read that years ago regarding companies trying to market spf 80(or some high number like that).

Zinc Oxide offers some great protection from the suns rays.

Dr.Barai · Mar 11th, 2007, 00:25

For all practical purpose a SPF 30 cream offers lil extra protection than an SPF 15 cream, however difference is cost will be significant. The common antiseptic cream BOROLINE, which is widely available in India, has zinc oxide in it; more over it’s cheap too.
Just to add a personal experience during my 2 weeklong ladak trip last year, I used an expensive SPF 40 sun cream profusely, however I developed severe sunburn and scaling. My friend used boroline and escaped sunburn almost completely.

Nick-H · Mar 11th, 2007, 00:49

I used to use fairly expensive 40 or 50 plus creams from UK on holiday here.

Point number one: you have to apply them properly. A quick smear is not good enough, some of these creams will leave you looking like a cricketer with a whitened face!

Point number two: they work, if applied properly. A workmate said, looking at my pale skin, "have you been away?". Umm, yes... two weeks in tropical sunshine

The lesser values, in my experience, leave me slightly tanned.

But these days I have to admit that I don't bother. Not for Chennai, at any rate. I might for Kerala: those few degrees closer to the equator make a big difference in sun intensity! I don't really burn here, but I do there.

Maheswara_shishya · Mar 11th, 2007, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I used to use fairly expensive 40 or 50 plus creams from UK on holiday here.

Point number one: you have to apply them properly. A quick smear is not good enough, some of these creams will leave you looking like a cricketer with a whitened face!

Point number two: they work, if applied properly. A workmate said, looking at my pale skin, "have you been away?". Umm, yes... two weeks in tropical sunshine

The lesser values, in my experience, leave me slightly tanned.

But these days I have to admit that I don't bother. Not for Chennai, at any rate. I might for Kerala: those few degrees closer to the equator make a big difference in sun intensity! I don't really burn here, but I do there.

I live in Florida and boy my first trip south to the caribbean a couple years ago, i had no idea the intensity boost the closer you get to the equator. Growing up in NY and living in Florida now, I figured id be ready for any sun rays, i was sorely mistaken.

Nick-H · Mar 11th, 2007, 01:06

The confusing thing is that it was cooler than Chennai, last time I went. But that sun; phew!

Mar 3rd, 2007, 00:52	#1
Dr.Barai Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lucknow Posts: 313	Does SPF 30 have twice as much sun protection as SPF 15? SPF protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. In higher SPFs, such as an SPF of 30, 97 percent of sunburning rays are deflected, while an SPF of 15 indicates 93 percent deflection and an SPF of 2 equals 50 percent deflection. http://www.aad.org/public/News/DermI...nscreenFAQ.htm Research Note Research suggests that high SPF sunscreens are an appropriate choice for very sun sensitive individuals (skin types I and II). One study determined that skin protected by an SPF 15 sunscreen and then exposed to 15 times the minimum dose of sunlight normally required to cause redness produced 2.5 times the number of sunburn cells seen in SPF 30 protected skin with the same dose of sunlight. These results suggest that prevention of redness does not necessarily mean prevention of all sun-induced damage. More research is currently underway on the protective effects of sunscreens on different skin types. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1990, 22(3): 449-452; Kaidbey, K.H.

Mar 11th, 2007, 00:49	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	I used to use fairly expensive 40 or 50 plus creams from UK on holiday here. Point number one: you have to apply them properly. A quick smear is not good enough, some of these creams will leave you looking like a cricketer with a whitened face! Point number two: they work, if applied properly. A workmate said, looking at my pale skin, "have you been away?". Umm, yes... two weeks in tropical sunshine The lesser values, in my experience, leave me slightly tanned. But these days I have to admit that I don't bother. Not for Chennai, at any rate. I might for Kerala: those few degrees closer to the equator make a big difference in sun intensity! I don't really burn here, but I do there. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Mar 10th, 2007, 22:57	#2
Maheswara_shishya Lover of Life Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: USA Posts: 135	Yeah i had actually read that years ago regarding companies trying to market spf 80(or some high number like that). Zinc Oxide offers some great protection from the suns rays.

Mar 11th, 2007, 00:25	#3
Dr.Barai Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lucknow Posts: 313	For all practical purpose a SPF 30 cream offers lil extra protection than an SPF 15 cream, however difference is cost will be significant. The common antiseptic cream BOROLINE, which is widely available in India, has zinc oxide in it; more over it’s cheap too. Just to add a personal experience during my 2 weeklong ladak trip last year, I used an expensive SPF 40 sun cream profusely, however I developed severe sunburn and scaling. My friend used boroline and escaped sunburn almost completely.

Mar 11th, 2007, 01:06	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	The confusing thing is that it was cooler than Chennai, last time I went. But that sun; phew!

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