Which statement is true:

A. Sunscreen rated SPF45 is three times stronger than SPF15.

B. On a cloudy day 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays pass through the atmosphere.

C. Tanning beds don’t damage your skin because they use UVA rays, not UVB.

Answer >>

B. Sun exposure occurs all the time and on cloudy days 80 percent of the damaging rays still pass through the atmosphere. Sunscreens should be used everyday if you are going to be in the sun for more than 20 minutes.

SPF or sun protection factor rating measures the amount of time a product protects the skin from reddening compared to how long the skin takes to redden without protection. If it takes 10 minutes for you to redden without protection, with SPF15 it will take 150 minutes. This does not mean that you should stay in the sun longer, it means that the more sensitive or lighter your skin type, the higher the SPF you should use. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours to maintain the SPF.

In recent years, studies have shown that UVA as well as UVB rays damage the skin. Tanning beds are not a safe alternative. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure that it has a rating of SPF15 or greater and that it is labeled as “broad-spectrum” protection from UVA as well as UVB.

Sunscreens should only be a part of your sun protection regime. In addition, wear protective clothing, headgear & sunglasses, avoid the peak sunlight from 10 a.m until 4 p.m. and seek shade whenever possible.