When you go out during the day time your skin, being the largest organ of the human body, is constantly exposed to the sun; and although many of its effects are useful for the human body, over exposure to sunlight can lead to many unwanted conditions like sunburn, pigmentation, premature aging, etc. This is where sunblocks come in, allowing an individual to enjoy sunlight and its benefits while avoiding its detrimental effects on the skin. Given below are a few tips and tricks that will help you choose the best sunblock and use it effectively for your skin type and activity level:

Cream, lotion, gel or spray: Sunblocks are available in all these forms. During summer and for all those with oily skin a gel based sunblock is advisable. For those with dry skin and for winter use, cream and lotion base are good options. Spray form sunblocks are also available and are cosmetically more acceptable but tend to be more expensive.

How much and when to apply: In general terms the thicker the layer of sunblock, the better the protection. This, however, does not mean that one should over apply unnecessarily. As a rule of thumb, for normal everyday use, a dollop of sunblock equal to the diameter of a Re2 coin should suffice for the whole face. Reapplication is recommended after sweating or washing the face and after two to three hours of application. Ideally the sunblock should be applied 15-20 minutes before exposure to sun to allow the chemical ingredients to be absorbed.

Learn all what you need to know about which sunblock to use, how much and when

Are sunblocks safe for children? Kids tend to have more sensitive skin than adults and are also more exposed to sunlight due to outdoor activities. Most sunblocks can be safely used by them but it is still advisable to use physical sunblocks like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for children, although their availability can be an issue. If you use a chemical-based sunscreen, do a patch test first to make sure that your child doesn’t react to it. Apply a small amount to the inside of the upper arm. If a rash or redness develops at the site by the next day, choose another formula instead. Sunblocks in children should always be applied by adults or under their supervision to avoid ingestion and contact with eyes.

Where to apply: Sunblocks should be applied to all body parts that are exposed to the sun but special attention should be given to burn-prone areas like face, ears, back of neck, shoulders and hands.

Applying sunblock on cloudy days: It is a common misconception that sunblocks are not needed when going outside on a cloudy day. In fact, around 40 per cent of UVB rays from the sun still manage to reach the ground on a completely cloudy day, making it necessary to wear sunblock even in overcast weather.

How to determine level of protection: Most sunblocks in the market are wide spectrum, meaning that they provide protection against both ultraviolet-A (UVA) and ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays. SPF is a measure of protection offered from UVB and PA is of UVA. SPF ranges from 15 to above 100 and PA from + to +++. Generally speaking, the higher the value the greater the protection.

What are the ideal values for PA and SPF: For everyday activities a sunblock with PA ++ and SPF equal to or greater than 30, applied liberally and reapplied frequently, should give sufficient protection. For outdoor activities like sports, swimming, etc. a wide spectrum sunblock with higher protection value and more frequent application is advised. Water proof sunblocks, in these cases, can offer a good solution if you want to avoid the hassle of having to apply your regular sunscreen again and again. However, they can be more expensive, greasy and cosmetically less acceptable.

Which sunblock to buy: Unfortunately the “one size fits all” theory does not apply to sunblocks at all. It might take you a bit of searching and trial and error to figure out the best product that gives you sufficient protection in line with your daily sun exposure, cosmetic acceptability and affordability.

No sunblock can give 100pc protection: Although sunblocks can offer significant sun protection, their use and efficacy can be limited by various factors such as cost, lack of reapplication, cosmetic acceptance, etc. Therefore it is always advisable to buffer up your protection by using physical means, like wide-brimmed hats, caps, umbrellas, light coloured fabric or a dupatta pulled over the hairline to provide shade over the face, etc. Car window blinds are also good and legal for keeping out the sun when travelling in the car provided they do not hinder the driver’s vision.

Despite the right protection and care, sun burns can still occur. In such cases, it is essential that you seek medical help from a qualified dermatologist and avoid self medication to ensure quick recovery and prevention of long term complications.

The writer is a consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, June 28th, 2015

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