What is Sunscreen?
Sunscreen is sometimes referred to as sunblock or sun tan lotion. It comes in the form of lotion, gel or even spray that is applied directly to the skin. The American Cancer Society recommends the use of sunscreen when an individual is heavily exposed to the sun due to its ability to prevent squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.
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History
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The importance of sunscreen has been realized by man since at least 2,000 years ago. The Greeks used a sunscreen formula made of sand and oil while training for the Olympic Games around 400 BC. The first written record of sunscreen was found in the journals of Christopher Columbus from 1492. He noted that the native people of Hispaniola painted themselves black and red to protect from the sun.
The first commercial sunscreen was created in 1938 by chemist Franz Greiter, whose sunburn inspired the creation. However, the first sunscreen widely used by consumers was developed in 1944 by pharmacist Benjamin Greene. His product reduced ultraviolet radiation from the sun but wasn't very effective overall. Later, Franz Greiter introduced the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in 1962, which has become the standard for measuring effectiveness of sunscreen throughout the world.
Function
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Sunscreen is used to protect the skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays. It prevents sun burn and skin damage, helps the skin maintain hydration, and can help prevent certain types of skin cancer. It is used by sunbathers, workers, athletes and others who spend extended periods of time outdoors and under the sun.
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Features
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Sunscreen contains at least one type of UV filter. These can be organic chemical compounds that absorb UV light, inorganic particulates that reflect or scatter UV light, or organic particulates that absorb UV light.
Sunscreen is rated by the SPF, which can be anywhere from 10 to 50 or more. The SPF measures the time a person can remain in the sun after sunscreen is applied before getting sunburn. The higher the SPF, the better the protection and the longer a person may remain in the sun before the skin is damaged.
Types
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There are two primary types of sunscreen on the market today. Sunscreen that is a chemical blocker typically absorbs UV rays within a certain wavelength. Sunscreen that is a physical blocker reflects the UV rays and is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. This type of sunscreen typically consists of zinc or titanium dioxide.
Warning
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Some synthetic compounds contained within sunscreen have been associated with adverse health effects. Studies conducted by the CDC in 2007 showed that women with a high level of the chemical oxybenzone, a chemical commonly found in sunscreen, in their bodies had an increased risk of giving birth to children with low birth weight.
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Resources
- Photo Credit sxc.hu/fishmonk
