FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What is a “sun exposure account”?
We all possess an individual "sun-account" which works like a bank credit account for our skin and which is available only once each day. This account should never be overdrawn! Individual sensitivity, location and acclimatisation to the sun, time of day etc. determine the permitted UV dose. Even when in the shade the sun's rays reach us through reflection and debit the account. Once each day's credit is used up, skin damage will occur if exposure to the UV rays continues. Using a sun product multiplies your credit by the number of the SPF you choose, but once you have used up your daily "sun credit", further application of products is of no use and at least 12 hours should elapse before further exposure to the sun.
Which kind of skin do I have?
Simple explanations here.
What does “sun protection factor” (SPF) mean?
The sun protection factor indicates by how many times your own exposure time can be multiplied.
Remember
a) this is an average value, allow approx. 20%.
b) the quantity of sun protection product applied for the assessment of the SPF is much higher than commonly used.
What is a UV filter?
The UV filter is a chemical and / or physical (called mineral filter too) substance, which incorporated in a suitable product base, filters out (absorbs / reflects) parts of the UV rays.
What is the difference between chemical and physical UV filter?
The chemical filter absorbs UV radiation. The physical filter (called mineral filter too) lie on top of the skin and create a physical barrier to UV radiation by reflection.
How can the so called light-induced callosity be developed?
The so called light-induced callosity is a natural protection mechanism of the upper skin layer. Under the effect of UVB rays the skin begins to thicken. This thickness of the horny layer acts like a cover for the living cells below!
Light ageing - what is that?
The skin’s ageing is increased by UV radiation. Skin, which generally is not covered (front, face, back of the hand and neck) ages faster. With the ageing of the skin, which is especially due to the UVA light, the skin loses its elasticity, develops more wrinkles, age moles and so on.
This chronic light damage is irrevocable! The only effective way to prevent this is the application of highly effective sun protection products and to avoid extreme sun exposure.
Does sunlight dry out the skin?
The loss of hydration can be compensated for by drinking plenty of water. Externally the skin should be regenerated and treated with a long term moisturising After Sun Lotion.
Does the shade protect from sunburn?
Depending of the sun intensity, UV radiation can act through reflection and debit - even though a little bit slower- your sun account. This can occur even under the shade of a parasol. During the day every short stay in the sun is debited from your account. Shade given by trees, parasols etc. only protects from around 70% of the UV rays.
Why does the skin of a baby need special protection?
A relation has been found between sun exposure during childhood and cases of skin cancer in adult life. Especially small children playing unprotected in the sun are at greatest risk. Their skin is much thinner and cannot yet build the so called light-induced callosity. That is the reason why children under 12 months should never be exposed to direct sun radiation.
For the kids it is important to only use products with very high protection factor and take special care regarding clothing (hat, shirt, trousers).
What are the objections against the use of sun beds?
The UV radiation of sun beds is just as dangerous as the natural sun radiation, if not more so. The intensity of radiation in sun bed institutes is 2 to 3 times higher than in the sun. Even if the high energy UVB radiation is filtered out, the risk is still present. Modern sun beds use non erythemal UVA radiation, which does not cause sunburn but tans moderately. Therefore the dosage used is very high to develop a tan. Please remember: a self-tan product can never replace sun protection.
Regular use of sun beds increases the risk of chronic skin damages. Part of this is the premature skin ageing. The Swiss department of Health does in general recommend to avoid sun bed institutes.
How does a self tan work?
Self tan products react with the horny layer of the skin and develop a brown colour, which cannot “filter out” the light. This artificial tan does therefore not protect against UV radiation.
The use of a modern self tan product is absolutely harmless for the skin, even over a longer duration.
What is the shelf life of a sun protection product?
This depends from the formula and especially also from the packaging used. Therefore we cannot not give a general valuable answer. Packages which have been opened should be used up during the season.
Is an airless dispenser better than a standard one?
Yes, because it enables the product to be kept fresh for a very long time and also dispenses all the product from the container. Automatic and instant closure of the applicator after use, prevents any contact between the contents and the air outside, making it impossible for unwanted bacteria to enter and contaminate the product. This has the added advantage of reducing the level of preservatives in the formulation to an absolute minimum.
Please note: On first use the pump must be activated several times.
Is it possible to tan even with a high protection factor?
Yes, of course, but slower and with less risk. A good sun protection product does not influence the natural tanning capacity of the skin.
Why should we apply sun protection products before sun exposure?
Products with a chemical effect needs some time to develop its full efficacy.
Do windows from houses and cars protect from UV rays?
UVA radiation passes glass unhindered, UVB radiation is practically completely blocked.
Should one avoid sun exposure when taking medication?
The combination of medication and UV radiation could lead to unexpected reactions of the body and the skin. Ask your doctor or your pharmacist for advice.
What does “photo-stable” mean?
A product is “photo-stable” if its chemical structure is not or nearly not altered by the energy of UV-rays.
What does UV radiation mean?
What are UVB rays and which is their effect?
UVB rays are for the most part absorbed by the ozone layer and have a wave length of 280 - 320 nm. They do not penetrate as deep in the skin as the UVA rays. Due to a higher absorbing energy in the upper skin layer, the UVB rays are responsible for the solar erythema (sunburn). The erythemal reaction normally follows three to six hours after sun exposure.
UVB rays have following effects:
· slow but long lasting tan due to the increased production of melanin and provocation of the so called light induced callosity.
· developing of sunburn, with higher burning risk on the zones with thin skin (areas without hair, nose, shoulders etc.)
through its high energy, the UVB rays can directly damage the DNA in the skin cells and in this way overstress the skin’s own repair mechanism.
What are UVA rays and which is their effect?
The UVA rays are long wave UV-rays (320 - 400 nm) with lower energy, but very high potential to penetrate deep into the skin. Approximately 90 - 95% of the UV radiation reaching the surface of the earth are UVA rays. UVA cause an immediate pigmentation of the skin but does not enhance the production of melanin.
UVA rays have following effects:
· direct and fast tanning of the skin, not very long lasting (same sun-beds)
· the pigmentation by UVA does not increase the protection of the skin
· premature aging due to the deeper penetration into the skin. Damaging of the collagen and elastine structure with cumulative effect
· damage through development of free radicals the DNA indirectly, but without any repair possibility.
· Responsible for more than 80% of sun allergies
Why is ultrasun especially good in case of allergies or for sensitive skins?
Ultrasun has no emulsifier or fragrances which are very frequently responsible for allergies. What is good for sensitive skin is also good for normal skin.
What is the benefit using liposome?
The patented "LipoSystemComplex" by ultrasun takes up fat- and water-soluble active ingredients using a technology that works without the need for emulsions. Thanks to this liposome technology our products are non greasy, non sticky, easy to apply, moisturising, long-lasting, very photostable and extremely water, sweat and friction resistant.
(Liposome is contained in the following products: medium 20SPF sensitive glimmer formula, high 30SPF super sensitive family formula, high 30SPF face anti-ageing formula, very high 50+SPF ultra sensitive extreme formula and aftersun cooling & hydrating).
What is behind the UVA sign used on sun care products?
All sunscreen products should guarantee UVA protection of at least a third of the sun protection factor labelled for UVB rays.
The following symbol is used to declare the level of protection:
What does the „critical wavelength” mean?
Critical wavelength is an international rating system for UVA protection. It is a measurement performed on a machine in which sunscreen is applied to a slide. The slide is then irradiated from an artificial light source to simulate sun exposure. Exposure begins at 290nm, with subsequent exposure to progressively higher wavelengths of light. The point at which the sunscreen allows 10% of the rays to penetrate through the slide is defined as the critical wavelength. Another way of looking at this, would be the point where the level of protection provided by the sunscreen has dropped, to the point where only 90% of the rays are blocked (absorbed). The advantage of the critical wavelength is that it is an in vitro, very repeatable laboratory test. A sunscreen with a critical wavelength over 370nm is considered by the EU-Commission to provide excellent UVA protection.
Which is the right quantity to apply?
An important condition for the validity of the indicated factor is that the sun protection product is applied in the same quantity as it is for the assessment in the laboratory. This quantity is defined as 2mg/cm², following Colipa* (corresponds approx. to 1 teaspoon for the face!).
* Colipa = Association of European cosmetic industry