SPFs Responsible Outdoor Exposure Starts In The Salon
by Amy Thorlin
As responsible indoor tanning salon operators, it is important to promote sensible, moderate and responsible UV exposure—inside and outside. As part of this practice, exposure should be limited to once in a 24-hour period. If a client comes in to tan in the morning and then heads to the lake that afternoon, it is important for him or her to wear a sunblock outside, especially when building a base tan. Also, outside elements can’t be controlled like with indoor tanning, so overexposure easily can occur. Clients must be reminded that tanning outdoors the same day as tanning indoors increases the chance of overexposure and possible sunburn.
In order to effectively service the needs of customers, it is important to have a general idea of how the SPF system works. SPFs are chemicals that do their jobs by either absorbing or reflecting solar energy. Energy will excite the sunscreen temporarily then, as the chemical relaxes back into its original state, transform the energy into something harmless (usually heat). This process will repeat itself countless times per second.
SPF, or sun-protection factor, is the measurement of the amount of burning rays that are filtered out by a sunscreen. It is calculated by looking at the ratio of the amount of energy required to produce a minimal sunburn through a sunscreen to the amount of energy required to produce the same minimal sunburn without the sunscreen protection.
SPF = MED on protected skin MED on unprotected skin
SPF numbers typically range from 2 to 15, and the higher the number the greater the amount of protection from sunburn provided. Sunscreen products are broken into the following categories: Minimal Protection (SPF 2 to 4), Moderate Protection (SPF 4 to 6), Extra Protection (SPF 6 to 8), Maximal Protection (SPF 8 to 15) and Ultra Protection (SPF 16 and greater).
An SPF 2 blocks out approximately 50 percent of ultraviolet rays, an SPF 10 blocks out about 85 percent of ultraviolet rays, and an SPF 15 blocks out approximately 95 percent of ultraviolet rays.
The SPF system measures only UVB protection, not UVA. Every sunscreen has a characteristic absorption spectrum, and no individual sunscreen can cover the entire UVB spectrum; therefore, high-SPF products contain blends. It is important to remember to look for a sunscreen that also contains UVA absorbers. Different parts of the body are more sensitive and may require a stronger SPF than others. Also, a higher level of sunblock may be required in the early season than in the late season when a base tan already has been developed.
Regardless of the sunblock being used, it should be applied 20 minutes before exposure.
Additional information can be obtained by taking the National Tanning Training Institute’s Lotions and Skincare Course at www.tanningtraining.com.
