I’m a huge advocate of sunblock. I cannot live without it.
Imagine standing under the scorching sun day after day, for hours on end. That’s how it is for filming most times. So I load up on sunblock, slather a generous amount of it all over myself and hope it does the work of shielding me from the sun.
SPF. Sun Protection Factor. Do we all really know what it means? I realize that my friends didn’t really understand the meaning of SPF when I asked them. Generally, many believe that the higher the SPF, the better it blocks the sun. Well, this isn’t the case.
Sunscreen basically delays the onset of a sunburn. So if you usually take 10 minutes (without sunscreen) to burn, the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) multiplies that amount of time. SPF15, a factor of 15 times longer, would mean that you will now take 150 minutes to burn instead. Studies have shown that SPF15 or SPF30 is already sufficient to block out the harmful rays and offer the much needed protection. The idea of a higher SPF offering higher protection is misleading. Many are willing to spend extra money on sunblock with a SPF of 70 and over precisely because of that misleading thought. That is really not necessary.
I’m almost famous on set for being the girl who is always armed with sunblock. You can always see me applying and reapplying layers and layers of it. Once, a co-actor actually gifted me with 5 tubes of sunblock, and I thought that was funny! Anyway, I apply new layers maybe every 30-45 minutes or so. That’s because I perspire so much under the heat, and I feel like I’ve probably wiped off most of the sunblock trying to look fresh and cool for the camera. Well, the usual guideline for reapplying a new layer of sunblock is about 2 hours, but I just use it as frequently as I deem fit.
So the crucial question comes. Do I still get tan after all that protection? Yes. I still do get a little darker. I believe it can’t be helped when you are out in the sun so much. But one thing for sure, I do not get burnt, and I’m still considered fair next to someone who wasn’t as fastidious as me with regards to blocking out the sun.
Comments
13 Responses to “The Thing about SPF”
This is really informative! Im like practically sharing this knowledge with everyone else 🙂
Hi Jeanette, do you apply sunblock directly over makeup when touching up? Or do you remove your makeup first? 🙂
Sunblock should be applied before you do your make up. If you want to reapply or touch up, there are those that are like face mist sprays, or you can use compact or loose powder that have SPF protection in them.
I shall apply sunblock religiously from now onwards ‘cos I want to be a 美女 like you Jeanette!
Hello Jeanette, may I know what is the brand of the sunblock that you are currently using?
I actually have tried quite a variety, from the lotions to the sprays, non sticky to the “cool” effects type. maybe I’ll do a blog post on that soon.
Cool! Been wanting to get a new sunblock. Looking forward to your recommendations in your upcoming blog post. Cheers!
Great post! Now i understand more about what SPF means.
Keep blogging! Will be supporting Jcode! 😀
thank you
Thanks for the info on SPF. Not sure if you realise, towns / cities that are near the seas are usually much hotter and the sun are so hot that you feel you are burning..I usually get darker whenever I go back to Ipoh..
Have fun applying and at least you get to be compensated with good food
sometimes geographical locations play a part in the temperature and weather that you get there. so we just got to adapt and work with what we have, to protect ourselves from the rays and to keep hydrated as necessary
Yes drink lots water…do take care