TriPollar Blog

If you go through bathroom cabinets of households in the western world, you will probably run into at least one sunscreen container in most house holds. Sun cream protector is a “must have” item in this day and age of increased awareness to the dangerous effects of the sun.
What sunscreen should be purchased? Do sun screens provide complete protection against skin cancer? How often should sun screen be applied? Many more questions should be asked about this subject and some do not have straight answers yet.
The effectiveness of sun cream is measured by the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the specific formula. SPF is evaluated by the effectiveness of a specific cream applied at an even layer of 2 milligrams per square centimeter, for blocking the effect of UV sunrays that cause sunburns. The SPF level is defined in comparison to exposure to the same level of UV without sunscreen. SPF 30 means that compared to a body area without sunscreen, the area with sunscreen will require 30 times more UV to be equally burned as the same area without sunscreen. Be aware that SPF is evaluated per a specific quantity of sunscreen, unfortunately most people apply less sunscreen than needed, causing the SPF value to be reduced dramatically Hence the person thinks he/she is protected but in reality the effectiveness of the sunscreen is reduced.
In addition, there are three types of UV radiation emitted from the sun, a good explanation about UV classification can be found on the web site of the skin cancer foundation . UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. Both UV-A and UV-B pass the ozone layer and reach the earth, most of the UV-C is absorbed by the ozone layer and does not reach us.
UV-A is the most prevalent UV radiation that reaches us from the sun. UV-A is present in equal dose throughout the year and during day light hours. It also penetrates glass and clouds and has a deeper penetration depth into the skin than does UV-B. UV-A is major inducer of skin ageing, wrinkles and skin cancer. UV-A is the main contributor to tanning, according to the skin cancer foundation, tanning salons use mostly UV-A as the tanning light, the intensity in the salons can be 12 times higher than the natural UV-A levels from the sun.
UV-B has a superficial depth of penetration to the skin and plays a major role in skin burning. As apposed to UV-A, UV-B is present in lower levels during different hours of the day, different seasons and various locations on earth; it also does not penetrate glass. Similar to UV-A, UV-B contributes to skin cancer, and skin ageing.
Most sunscreens block mainly UV-B and protect the skin from burning but do not protect much from UV-A. It is important to verify, when purchasing a sun block, if the formula claims to protect from UV-A and UV-B. If not specified it is probably UV-B protection only.
The problem with sunscreen is that it causes people to feel protected from the damaging rays while they really are not. Most will assume wrongly that if they apply sunscreen on exposed areas, they can allow themselves to walk freely in the sun during the extreme UV hours (10AM-4PM).
Another misconception is that after 4PM there is no need for sunscreen as the UV radiation is lower. Very wrong assumption! As mentioned above, UV-A is present most hours of the day, so be ware!
Most are not aware that they need to apply sunscreen to exposed areas if they are driving or sitting in a car, or sitting in front of a sunny window at home, the windows will not protect you, (unless they are coated with a UV protection film).

If your skin has been damaged by years of exposure to the sun’s damaging rays you might be happy to learn that you can help rebuild collagen and decrease fine wrinkles by using advanced new technology in the comfort of your home. One of the hottest trends in the area of skin renewal is the TriPollar STOP. The STOP postpones the signs of ageing caused by the sun by stimulating the collagen production and thickening the dermis bringing about younger looking skin. It is safe for use and unlike other professional devices, it can be used during the summer.