We Northern Europeans love to soak up the sun and would like to get a nice tan. The sun and its UV rays are important to us but are also something to be treated with great respect.
“Lagom” (just right) is probably one of the most Swedish words there is, and it is an excellent word when it comes to sunbathing.
Sun Protection Factor
In a sun protection product, the sun protection factor indicates the level of UVB protection the product provides. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.
Which SPF you should use depends, among other things, on your skin type and how long and where you want to stay in the sun.
Here’s how it works:
- Calculate how long it takes before your skin reacts to the sun, that is, before it starts to turn red. The sun protection factor multiplies this time and indicates how long you can stay in the sun after applying sunscreen.
- For example, if it takes 10 minutes before your skin reacts to the sun and you apply SPF 10, you can stay in the sun for 100 minutes with good sun protection. If you use SPF 30, you calculate 10 x 30 which equals 300 minutes, allowing you to stay in the sun for 5 hours.
- This is, of course, an approximate time indication that depends on many factors, such as the time of day you are in the sun, if you sweat a lot, or if you swim. It is also important how strong the sun is; a sunny day in the Mediterranean requires stronger protection than in Sweden.
- Within the EU, a sun protection product must now also contain UVA protection. Then it can be called broad-spectrum and has the UVA symbol.
How much does sunscreen protect?
There is no sunscreen that completely protects the skin from UV radiation, but the higher the SPF, the better the protection.
A sun protection product with SPF 15 blocks 93.3% of UVB radiation, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%.
When choosing an SPF factor, you should consider your “skin type,” that is, how your skin reacts to the sun. How does your skin react?
In summer, the skin is:
- Always red, never brown. Use at least SPF 20 in Sweden and at least SPF 30 around the Mediterranean.
- Always red, sometimes brown. Use at least SPF 20 in Sweden and at least SPF 25 around the Mediterranean.
- Sometimes red, always brown. Use SPF 15 in Sweden and SPF 20 around the Mediterranean.
- Never red, always brown. Use SPF 10 in Sweden and SPF 15 around the Mediterranean.
How much sunscreen is needed?
To get full sun protection, an adult needs to apply about 35 grams, equivalent to 6 teaspoons of sunscreen.
Keep in mind that prolonged stays, for example at the beach or at high altitudes, require higher protection, at least SPF 30. Also remember that a large part of UV radiation reaches us indirectly.
If you are in the shade, you can still be exposed to up to half of the sun’s UV radiation. Therefore, complement your sun protection with clothing, a hat, and sunglasses, even when you are in the shade.
How much do clothes protect?
Clothes provide reliable protection against the sun as textiles absorb both UVA and UVB radiation.
Loose-fitting garments are better than a tight t-shirt. Dark colors protect better than light ones, and the fabric’s density is important. For example, a cotton shirt provides better protection than a t-shirt.
Here are three examples of garments and their approximate sun protection factors:
- 100% cotton shirt – about SPF 50.
- 100% cotton t-shirt – about SPF 10.
- 100% viscose blouse – about SPF 15.
(Source: Swedish Radiation Safety Authority).
What else should I consider?
Finally – keep an eye on the UV index, a value that shows the strength of the harmful part of the sun’s UV radiation when it is at its strongest.
The scale goes from 1-11+, and in Sweden, the UV index in summer usually hovers around 6, while in winter it normally stays below 2.
If the UV index is above 6, it is strong, and you should be careful and use appropriate sun protection. The current UV index is shown in the weather forecast and is also available on SMHI’s website.
Enjoy the sun – just the right amount!
