Suncream gives HALF the protection that firms claim, experts warn
Suncream gives less than HALF the protection that manufacturers claim as people do not put enough on, experts warn
- Even when people used factor 50 suncream their skin was damaged by UV rays
- Experts claimed that people are applying suncream too thinly across their body
- Manufacturers base their SPF ratings on an application of 2mg of suncream
- But in fact people tend to put on just 0.7mg, less than half the recommendation
Suncream gives only 40 per cent the protection that manufacturers claim because people do not put enough on, experts have warned.
Tests by King’s College London show even when people used factor 50 suncream their skin was damaged by UV rays because they had applied it too thinly.
Manufacturers base their SPF ratings on an application of 2mg of suncream for every square centimetre of skin.
But in fact people tend to put on just 0.7mg per square cm – dramatically reducing their protection.
Suncream gives only 40 per cent the protection that manufacturers claim because people do not put enough on, experts have warned
Study leader Professor Antony Young, whose study is published in the Acta Dermato-Venereologica medical journal, said: ‘The problem is when people read the label they assume that’s the protection without think about the application thickness.
‘Then they overestimate their protection, they stay out longer in the sun and they get sunburned.’
Professor Young said to be properly protected people should put half a teaspoon’s worth on each arm and their head and neck area, and a teaspoon’s worth on each leg, their back and their front.
He added: ‘If a typical woman wants to stay out in the sun all day, reapplying the suncream three times, that works out as 100ml of suncream.
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‘For a man it is about 120ml.’ That works out as just over half a typical 200ml bottle of suncream per day.
‘You have got to slather it on reasonably generously – but it’s perfectly achievable, it is not over the top.’
Professor Young advised people to put suncream on each part of the body twice in succession to ensure they achieve the correct thickness and do not miss any areas.
He said the SPF system had taken years to agree and should not be changed – but said the instructions on bottles should be more clear.
Tests by King’s College London show even when people used factor 50 suncream their skin was damaged by UV rays because they had applied it too thinly
‘Companies could do a better job of explaining how much is needed, or have a pump applicator that provides, say, an arm’s worth for each pump.’
As part of the study the research scientists exposed 16 fair-skinned volunteers to different levels of UV rays on a sunbed, with different degrees of suncream protection.
They then examined the skin to check the damage.
Those who put on the recommended suncream thickness sustained far less damage than those who used the average amount normally used in real life.
Professor Young said: ‘Given that most people don’t use sunscreens as tested by manufacturers, it’s better for people to use a much higher SPF than they think is necessary.’
Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists said: ‘This research demonstrates why it’s so important to choose an SPF of 30 or more. In theory, an SPF of 15 should be sufficient, but we know that in real-world situations, we need the additional protection offered by a higher SPF.
‘It also shows why we shouldn’t rely on sunscreen alone for sun protection, but we should also use clothing and shade.’
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