WHAT DO UVA, UVB, SPF AND PA+++ MEAN?

A quick look at every tube or bottle will show these acronyms. UVA stands for Ultraviolet A rays that have longer wavelengths, and are often associated with signs of ageing. UVB stands for Ultraviolet B, which has a shorter wavelength and tends to cause sunburn. Your skin can be protected against UVA rays with products that have a PA+ rating. This is a rating system developed in Japan to show how much UVA protection the product has. PA+ for some UVA protection, PA++ for moderate UVA protection, and PA+++ for high UVA protection.

You can also protect your skin against UVB rays by using sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (or SPF) rating. This is denoted by the number after the letters SPF. The number can range anywhere from 15 to 50 and above. It reflects the length of time your skin is protected from UVB rays before it burns. This number is not foolproof though. Research has shown that even though a higher SPF is more likely to prevent sunburns, factors like sweat, humidity, and going into the water or sea can impact your sunscreen’s efficacy. So no matter what, reapply your sunscreen every two hours. In short, a good sunscreen is one that is broad spectrum, protecting your skin from both types of UV radiation.