Is Using Sunscreen SPF 50 Dangerous? Here's The Most Appropriate Advice

Illustration of the most appropriate recommendation to use SPF 50 (Freepik/rawpixel.com) sunscreen

YOGYAKARTA Sunscreen or sunscreen is a skin care that is routinely used to protect the skin from UVA and UVB exposure. Both from the hot sun or from the light that varies around you. There are various products that formulate sunscreen with different SPF levels. However, sunscreen labeled broad spectrum, usually formulate a minimum SPF level of 30. So if you use the SPF 50 sunscreen, is it still safe or dangerous?

A dermatologist recommends applying sunscreen every four hours if you are outdoors and potentially largely exposed to the sun. But apparently, launching The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Thursday, June 6, the higher SPF figure does not mean better protection from damage from sunlight.

The high SPF is misunderstood because it is considered safe to protect. There are many limitations with the SPF number. People often mistakenly think that they can't be exposed to sunlight or they can be in the sun longer, for example if they wear the 100 SPF sunscreen," explained Saira George's dermatologist, MD.

That means, sunscreen with SPF 50 also does not necessarily provide double protection on the skin than SPF 30. The reason is, SPF is the size of how many dangerous ultraviolet rays are absorbed or reflected in the skin. It is important to understand, there are two types of ultraviolet rays, namely UVB and UVA. Each type penetrates the skin differently. Well, SPF only refers to UVB light.

Sunscreen with SPF 50, actually not much different in level of protection from SPF 30 or SPF 100. The SPF 15 solarscreen blocks 93 percent of UVB and SPF 30 radiation blocks 97 percent. After that, the small difference in protection. In SPF 50 blocks 98 percent and SPF 100 stops 99 percent of UVB light reaches your skin.

Sunscreen needs to be applied evenly on the skin. This is the goal so that the skin is fully protected. But the problem is, when wearing sunscreen with a certain SPF level, we don't really know exactly how it performs in the real world. The reason is, various factors such as the intensity of sunlight and the level of application are not controlled, "explained George.

Even though the SPF is high, it does not provide certainty how much protection is obtained to prevent UVA from tapping the skin. But George's advice, choose sunscreen at least SPF 30. Also choose those labeled broad spectrum and waterproof if used for sweating or swimming activities. In addition, choose the brand you like so you don't mind using it regularly.

So what about the sunscreen spray? Sunscreen spray is indeed comfortable. But make sure to spray it evenly until you see the skin shine. The most important thing is that even though you are wearing sunscreen, reuse it every two hours. Find a place to take shelter and stay there between 10 am and 4 pm. You can also protect your head with a wide edged hat, this helps prevent the sun from touching your face immediately.