Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent UVB rays from damaging the skin. It works by increasing the time it takes for your skin to be affected by the damaging UVB rays.

An example would be if it takes 20 minutes for unprotected skin to be affected then a SPF of 15 would increase that time to five hours.

Sunscreens

Spring sports bring with it many chances for injury. One injury that most athletes don’t think about is how to adequately prevent both the short term and long term effects that come with exposure to UVA and UVB rays. The chief culprit for sunburns are the UVB rays while the UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and can lead to wrinkling, and leathering of the skin.
Sunscreens are designed to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UVB rays, but most athletes either don’t use it at all or use it incorrectly by not applying enough or reapplying at the right time. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that at least 1 ounce of sunscreen be used 30 minutes prior to skin exposure to the sun. Reapplication should be performed at least every two hours.

Athletes out in the spring sun should use a water resistant or very water resistant type of sunscreen for maximum protection.

Featured Image via Joe Shlabotnik