Health Tip: Understanding Sunscreen Lingo

(HealthDay News) — Which sunscreen is right for you?

There may be no easy answer unless you understand sunscreen lingo, the American Academy of Dermatology says.

A recent study in JAMA Dermatology found that fewer than half of people asked at a dermatology clinic understood the meaning of “broad spectrum” or “SPF.”

The academy offers this primer about sunscreen lingo:

“Broad spectrum” sunscreen means it can protect you from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. This will help prevent skin cancer, early skin aging and sunburn.
Sunburn protection factor (SPF) determines how well sunscreen protects from sun damage. SPF of 15 filters 93 percent of UVB rays, while 30 SPF filters 97 percent of those rays.
No sunscreen is entirely waterproof, but some are water-resistant. The product is considered water resistant if it stays on wet skin for 40 to 80 minutes.
Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours, even if your skin stays dry.
A chemical sunscreen absorbs the sun’s rays, while a physical sunscreen protects you by deflecting the sun’s rays.