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A professor of medicine reveals what the SPF on your sunscreen really means

* Sunscreen, along with avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun, can help prevent skin cancer.

* The SPF number on sunscreen stands for “sun protection factor,” and represents time the lotion will protect you — not its strength.

* The sun emits two different types of rays: ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). It is said in dermatology circles that A is for aging and B is for burn.

* While people wearing sunscreen with SPF over 50 will burn less the longer they are in the sun, they could be more exposed to UVA rays than those using sunscreen with a lower factor.

* Always buy sunscreen that offer both UVA and UVB protection, as it better prevents skin cancer.

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