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Recent studies have shown that most people apply only 20 to 60 percent of the amount of sunscreen needed to actually get the protection that the sun protection factor (SPF) rating of the product promises, according to a report in the Archives of Dermatology.
A major reason that sunscreens are insufficiently applied is due to the lack of a simple rule for the amount needed for each part of the body.
Researchers say that as a general guide, a little more than one-half teaspoon of sunscreen should be applied to each arm and to the face and neck, and a little more than one teaspoon should be applied to each leg, to the chest and back.
Using half of the proper amount of sunscreen rated SPF 25 only provides a measured SPF of about seven.
In fact, using the proper amount of a sunscreen with a lower SPF provides greater sun protection than using a lesser amount of a sunscreen labeled at a higher SPF, wrote Dr. Jeffrey Schneider from the Department of Dermatology at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Rafael, California and author of the report.
"Shade, a broad hat, and sensible clothing provide the best and most reliable sun protection, but proper application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen can provide a very useful supplement," wrote Schneider.
Source: Medical Week staff, week of June 23, 2002
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