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Sun protection factor
Sun protection factor refers to the number of hours of sun exposure that would be equivalent to 1 hour of sun exposure without the sunscreen. Thus, for a sunscreen with an spf of 4, it would take 4 hours of sun exposure to equal 1 hour of sun exposure without this sunscreen. (which would be a burn for most of us.) the higher the spf, the better the protection and longer time ok in the sun!
Dr. Richard Tholen reviewed this
43 year experience in Plastic Surgery
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Related questions
A 35-year old asked:
How is the sun protection factor measured?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: sun protection factor?
3 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
What is the highest sun protection factor (spf) you can find in stores, that is still a meaningful SPF number?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
Does water have any sun protection factor to it (if you are in the water)?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
What sun protection factor lotion should black people and other very dark-skinned people use?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old asked:
If you work outside should you use sun protection?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old asked:
What level of sun protection should my family and i be using?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 40-year old asked:
Which cream has best sun protection?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 43-year old asked:
Which of these are the best for sun protection--covered up or cream?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 30-year old female asked:
Can you sun tan while pregnant? Not excessively but a little with protection?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 25-year old female asked:
Physical or chemical sunscreens? And what are good choices for face and body sun protection products?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old female asked:
Is coconut oil good protection from the sun?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old asked:
Is a higher SPF really better for sun protection?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 37-year old female asked:
Is SPF 30 enough sun protection for the whole day?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 35-year old asked:
What's the difference between sunblock and suncreen and which one is better for sun protection?
4 doctor answers • 12 doctors weighed in
A 45-year old asked:
Can using two sunscreen products mess one another up and diminish your level of sun protection?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 31-year old asked:
If my son doesn't burn, should I still use sun protection?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old female asked:
Sun exposure is minimal thru the day-from car lot to office.Does an SPF of 15 in my 4% aha day cream provide enough protection for little i'm exposed?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A female asked:
Are some people immune to sun damage? I know that i burn extremely easily if I am out in the sun for more than 45 minutes. Is it possible for someone darker than me to be out in the sun with no protection the same amount of time and not receive any damag
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
Is wearing white or black clothing better for sun protection?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old male asked:
Have any bad effects of sun protection creams on skins been ever reported ? if it occurs, please explain more about details. thanks doc
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 27-year old female asked:
Are there side effects of using face sun protection cream with SPF 70? I feel my skin burned & reddish after using it. When should we use it? Thx.
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old male asked:
Do the probable bad effects of sun protection creams remain permanently on skin? please introduce some brands of sun protection creams for blonde skin
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A male asked:
Dermatology research? Where would i find research on proper selection of the best textiles and of other materials, based on the properties of the textiles or of the other materials (i.E. Texture, elasticity, ultraviolet protection factor, absorption, cond
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 42-year old female asked:
Is it ok for kids to be outside a lot in the summer sun as long as they have propper protection?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A member asked:
Does my babys raised birthmark need sun protection?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old female asked:
Which sunscreens on the market in the US offer the best UVA/UVB protection and do you recommend physical (zinc oxide) vs. chemical sun filters?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old female asked:
If there is SPF 15 with uvb + uva in my aha glycolic acid 4% day cream, does this provide adequate sun protection or should sunscreen be used too?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 19-year old female asked:
The presence of estrogen in females is it a risk factor or protection of uti! what i read, the postmenopausal and young female both @ high risk of uti!
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in
A 60-year old female asked:
A woman of 25 has skin cancer. Always used sun protection. How comes? What are the future prospects?
4 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
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