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Parent Section N/A Home
          The Sun and Your MedicineHome The Sun and Your Medicine
  
  	
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    Print**What is Sun Protection Factor?**
When shopping for a sunscreen, consumers are faced with many choices. These choices include the sun protection factor (SPF) rating, which can vary from 8 to 50.
SPF is a measure of how much sunlight (UV radiation) is needed to develop sunburn after a sunscreen has been applied, compared to the amount of UV radiation required to develop sunburn on unprotected skin. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection is from UV radiation, and so the greater the sunburn protection.
It is important to know that SPF does not tell you how long you can be in the sun without getting sunburn. SPF does not mean that if you normally burn in 1 hour and you apply an SPF 8 sunscreen, it will take 8 hours for you to burn. Wrong. Instead, SPF tells you the amount of sunburn protection from UV radiation that is provided by sunscreens when they are used as directed – not burn protection time.
Several things can affect the amount of UV radiation exposure:
time of day
    season
    geographic location
    altitude, and
    weather conditions (cloudy day versus clear)For example, a person spending 15 minutes in the sun at noon in Boston without sunscreen may not sunburn, but that same person could burn after spending 15 minutes in the sun in Miami because of the higher amount of UV radiation exposure in the geographic location.
Skin complexion, amount of sunscreen applied, and how often you reapply can also affect exposure. In order for a sunscreen to be effective, it’s important that it be applied as directed, and reapplied as directed and needed based on physical activity. Participating in activities like swimming or activities that can promote heavy sweating may require more frequent reapplication.
Remember, SPF does not tell you how long you can be in the sun without getting sunburn. Instead, it’s a measure of the amount of sunburn protection from UV radiation that is provided by sunscreens when they are used as directed and as needed.
Fun in the sun can be had all year long -- hiking, winter skiing, swimming, or just enjoying the warmth of the sun. However, when taking certain medicines, life in the sun can sometimes be less than fun.
Some medicines contain ingredients that may cause photosensitivity -- a chemically induced change in the skin. Photosensitivity makes a person sensitive to sunlight and can cause sunburn-like symptoms, a rash or other unwanted side effects. It can be triggered by products applied to the skin or medicines taken by mouth or injected.
There are two types of photosensitivity – photoallergy and phototoxicity.
Photoallergy is an allergic reaction of the skin and may not occur until several days after sun exposure. Phototoxicity, which is more common, is an irritation of the skin and can occur within a few hours of sun exposure. Both types of photosensitivity occur after exposure to ultraviolet light – either natural sunlight or artificial light, such as a tanning booth.
There are certain types of medicines that can cause sensitivity to the sun. Some of these include:
Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, trimethoprim)
    Antifungals (flucytosine, griseofulvin, voricanozole)
    Antihistamines (cetirizine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, promethazine, cyproheptadine)
    Cholesterol lowering drugs (simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin)
    Diuretics (thiazide diuretics: hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, chlorothiazide.; other diuretics: furosemide and triamterene)
    Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, piroxicam, ketoprofen)
    Oral contraceptives and estrogens
    Phenothiazines (tranquilizers, anti-emetics: examples, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, promethazine, thioridazine, prochloroperazine)
    Psoralens (methoxsalen, trioxsalen)
    Retinoids (acitretin, isotretinoin)
    Sulfonamides (acetazolamide, sulfadiazine, sulfamethizole, sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, sulfasalazine, sulfasoxazole)
    Sulfonylureas for type 2 diabetes (glipizide, glyburide)
    Alpha-hydroxy acids in cosmeticsNot all people who take or use the medicines mentioned will have a reaction. Also, if you experience a reaction on one occasion, it does not mean that you are guaranteed to have a reaction if you use the product again.
If you have concerns about developing a reaction, try to reduce your risk:
When outside, seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. – some organizations recommend as late as 4:00 p.m. Keep in mind that the sun’s rays may be stronger when reflected off water, sand and snow.
    Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats to limit sun exposure.
    Use a broad sunscreen regularly and as directed. Broad-spectrum sunscreens provide protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. An SPF 15 is the minimum number needed to provide measurable protection; however, a sunscreen with an SPF value of 30 or higher is recommended. Rarely, some sunscreen ingredients can cause photosensitivity themselves.If you have questions about your medications and the possibility of a photosensitivity, contact your health-care professional or pharmacists. Taking a few precautions can help limit your risk of photosensitivity and keep the sun shining on your fun.
Additional ResourcesThe ABCs of Sun ProtectionSun Safety: Save Your Skin!FDA Sheds Light on Sunscreens

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      09/25/2015Parent Section N/A
 
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