What’s the right sun protection for you?

Do you still wonder exactly what an SPF means and whether after-sun is really any different to normal body lotion? Whether you're a sun-lover or a shade-seeker, protecting your skin in the sunshine can be a complicated business. The All About You guide to suncare aims to take the confusion out of choosing and using suncreams.

So what do SPFs stand for and which one is right for you? Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, refers to protection from UVB rays, which are the burning rays and those mainly linked to skin cancer. If you'd burn in the sun in five minutes without protection, an SPF30 would offer you 30 times five minutes of protection, ie, 150 minutes. During this time, it needs to be reapplied to keep the protection level up as it can get rubbed off on towels or clothing or through sweating or swimming. The 150 minutes should also be the total time you spend in the sun that day. Follow these broad guidelines, which apply to both women and men:

1. If you are very fair with freckles, have blonde, red or light-brown hair and light eyes, you are most susceptible to burning, so don't go lower than an SPF25.

2. Darker skin that tans more easily should still use an SPF15 to 30 to minimise damage.

3. Asian and black skin has more natural protection, but, according to Clinique's Director of Biological Research and Development Tom Mammone, these skin types still need protection from UVA to protect against skin cancer, ageing and uneven pigmentation.

UVA rays cause skin damage such as premature ageing. UVA protection is offered at different levels by different suncare manufacturers, and is indicated on the bottle as well as the SPF number. Boots introduced a star system some years ago, displayed on all sun products sold in their stores. Five stars is the maximum UVA protection. You can also look for the words 'broad-spectrum' protection.

Whilst the most important thing is to prevent burning, any kind of tan means that there has been some damage at a cellular level in your skin.

'Sun damage is cumulative,' explains Mike Brown, Boots Suncare Scientific Advisor, 'and whilst the cell has its repair mechanisms, there's a limit to what it can do. Exposing yourself to intense sun, such as on the typical two-week beach holiday, can result in overloading the repair system.' In the long term, this leads to all those visible signs of ageing: lines, leathery skin, pigmentation, sagging. Experts estimate that some 80 per cent of skin ageing is caused by exposure to the sun.

This is particularly significant when it comes to children, who tend to spend more time outside than adults (though mothers of computer-addicted teens might disagree). Moreoever, some experts believe that just one episode of blistering sunburn before the age of 20 can double the risk of skin cancer. As children's skin is more vulnerable to sun damage they should always be protected with at least an SPF25. Teach them to look after themselves with this tip - if your shadow is longer than your height, you're safe from burning. If it's shorter than your height, you are at risk of burning and should cover up or go inside. For other great tips, visit www.sunsmart.org.uk

The golden rule of sun protection is to apply your product liberally. If you don't, the level of SPF protection can be reduced quite significantly. On average you should get through a 200ml size bottle per person per week on holiday, using it each day.

And aftersun? Any body lotion will stop your skin becoming dry, but specialist aftersuns simply offer a little more on top, such as cooling ingredients, tan extenders or anti-ageing ingredients. The choice is yours.

How to make your tan last longer 

Find out how to enhance your golden summer glow, with these top tips and great buys - click here 

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