Sun Protection

Sun protection factor
Sherpa Tensing sunscreen products protect against the harmful consequences of exposure to the sun. They have the effect of extending the skin’s own capacity for protection. The sun protection factor (SPF) specified on each product has an important role to play here.

How long sunbathing can last depends above all on the skin’s own capacity for protection. This is the time a person can spend unprotected in the sun without becoming sunburned. This varies considerably depending on the type of skin. The sun protection factor (SPF) is the factor by which that period in the sun can be extended. If you use a sunscreen with SPF 15, for example, you can stay in the sun 15 times longer than you would be able to without any form of protection at all.

Light surfaces such as snow, ice, sand, concrete and water reflect UV radiation and so can double the sun’s intensity.

Example
A person with skin type 2 can stay in the sun for 10–20 minutes without burning. To be on the safe side, let us assume no more than 10 minutes’ exposure. Protected by a sun milk with an SPF of 20, that person will be able to stay in the sun for no more than 3 hours (10 x 20 = 200 minutes).

As there are bound to be individual variations, however, this time should never be used to the full.  NB: Re-applying sunscreen does not prolong protection, but merely maintains it. Regular applications are important, as swimming, sweating and towel-drying all diminish the level of protection. This means that once the period of protection has expired, there is only one thing to do: Get out of the sun and into the shade! 


There are four classes of sun protection factor: