Munich (dpa) - Before sun worshippers relax on the beach they
should apply sunscreen cream at least twice, according to a Munich
dermatologist.
"This is the way to get the full protective effects of the sun
cream," Professor Dietrich Abeck told the German Press Agency dpa. A
thin application of sunscreen cream doesn't provide the full
protection. Instead of the expected factor 30 ultraviolet protection,
the consumer gets only factor 10.
The reason, according to Abeck, is that for the purpose of
determining the factor that is listed on the package, 2 milligrams of
sunscreen cream per square centimetre of skin is used in the
laboratory. This amount has been chosen so that there is a uniform
basis for assessment that also includes products that are hard to rub
into the skin, said the industry association for personal care and
laundry products in Frankfurt.
Consumers typically rub in less than the amount used in the
laboratory and spread it unevenly. Thus, it's smart to apply
sunscreen, then wait about a half hour and apply it again, said
Abeck, who teaches at Munich's technical university. This raises the
protection to the expected level.
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