Understanding Helioplex, UVA, UVB, and SPF

The skin, our largest organ, is our first layer of protection against infection and disease. So keeping skin protected is critical to promoting overall health and wellness. That’s why shielding skin from the harmful rays of the sun is such an important line of defense.

It is now common knowledge that overexposure to the sun can cause skin damage, lead to premature aging of the skin, as well as cancer. What is not fully understood is how this damage occurs and how to adequately protect against it. So it is helpful to learn more about the two forms of ultraviolet light that we are routinely exposed to in the sun – UVB and UVA rays – and how to interpret sunscreens’ SPF ratings as a guide to self-care.

UVB rays are more powerful in the summer months and are the source of short-term effects like sunburn, which results from the increased production of protective melanin (skin pigment) triggered by direct DNA damage. Long-term effects from UVB exposure include the development of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, the most common skin types of cancers. Traditional sunscreens are quite effective at blocking UVB rays.

UVA rays, however, are not effectively blocked by traditional sunscreens and can even pass through windows. These rays penetrate more deeply into the skin, causing more insidious and indirect DNA damage than sunburn. Studies show that while the cumulative effects of UVA rays may not be immediately noticeable, like the sunburn from UVB rays, they can have dangerous consequences over time. Of increasing concern is the link between UVA exposure and the development of malignant melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

The common wisdom is to use sunscreen every day, which brings up the topic of sun protection factor, commonly known as SPF. SPF is a simple but commonly misunderstood concept. The SPF indicates the amount of UVB exposure it would take to get a sunburn with sunscreen versus without sunscreen. Here is one example: someone who would burn after 10 minutes without sunscreen would expect to be protected for 100 minutes with an SPF of 10.

The common misconception is that the SPF rates the degree of protection from all harmful rays. For many committed sunscreen users, this may create a false sense of security about the level of protection they are getting because many sunscreens do not adequately protect against harmful UVA rays.

The main challenge in providing effective protection from UVA rays is that traditional chemicals used in sunscreens that absorb UVA light degrade quickly and become ineffective.

This has prompted new research and development into innovative chemical technology to produce ingredients that can be added to traditional sunscreens to keep them stable. One popular example is Helioplex, a remarkable stabilizing technology. Here’s how it works: One of the best absorbers of UVA rays is a chemical called avobenzone, which is highly effective, but it degrades quickly, so it has a short shelf life. When Helioplex is added to a sunscreen that contains avobenzone, it provides effective UVA protection for a longer period of time.

While there is currently no FDA-approved rating system for gauging protection from UVA rays, most dermatologists strongly recommend everyday use, year round, of sunscreens labeled for “broad-spectrum” protection (ie, for UVA and UVB ) with an SPF of 15 to 30. Such products actually contain several sunscreen chemicals. For example, when avobenzone is combined with Helioplex as well as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (agents that scatter sun rays) and oxybenzone (an excellent UVB blocker), the result is broad coverage over the entire light spectrum.

Actual sunscreen protection depends on numerous other factors, including skin type, the amount and frequency of sunscreen application, the impact of activities such as swimming, and the amount of sunscreen the skin actually absorbs. Add to that the fact that SPF ratings have nothing to do with the level of protection from harmful UVA rays, and it is easy to be confused.

Because SPF is an imperfect and inexact measure of protection, and especially because of the hazardous effects of UVA rays, in particular, I advise all of my patients to use a broad-spectrum SPF of 30, with frequent applications for optimum protection. In addition, for those who need or desire greater protection from skin cancers and other negative effects of the sun, including skin aging and wrinkling, I suggest they use sunscreens that contain Helioplex.

Remember, no matter how much we have progressed in our knowledge about the importance of using sunscreens, it is best to not rely on only them for protection. To truly protect yourself while still enjoying life and reaping some of the benefits of the sun, avoid sun exposure during peak sunlight hours, 10 AM through 3 PM, and limit your overall exposure to the sun with protective hats, clothing, and shade.