Sunscreen products are mandatory to protect us from sunlight induced damages to the skin.

However, they do not protect us 100% from the sun, and the following information is important.

• Apply generously before sun exposure
• Re-apply frequently, especially in case of perspiration, bathing, swimming, or after weeping your skin
• Avoid sun exposure during intense sunlight hours
• Do not expose babies and young children to the sun
• Excessive sun exposure can be hazardous to your health

What is SFP

SPF for Sun Protective Factor is an index which quantifies the level of sun protection. It indicates the protective power of the product against UVB and its ability to prevent sunburns.

It is defined by standardized tests. A dose of 2 mg of the product is applied for each square centimeter of skin on the back of volunteers. These volunteers are then subjected to calibrated local doses of UVB. After 24 hours, the reaction of the protected skin is compared to the unprotected areas. The Minimal Erythematous Dose (MED) of UVB is the minimal exposure that triggers skin redness or « erythema ». This MED is inferred from the clinical tests. The protection index (SPF) is the ratio between the MED of the protected skin to the MED of the unprotected skin.

This international method was approved by the European Commission.

Which protection factor (SPF) should I choose

There are 4 SPF levels :
- From 6 to 10 = low protection,
- From 15 to 25 = average protection,
- From 30 to 50 = high protection,
- Above 50 (50+) = very high protection.

On the golf course, it is recommended to choose the « very high protection » (i.e. SPF 50+) for the face, and the more sensitive or exposed areas such as the nose, the neck, the ears, the décolleté, the balding areas of the head and the back of the ungloved hand.

For legs and arms, a low index can be chosen but in any case the « higher the better ».

Can I wash the brush when it becomes soiled ?

The applying brush is made of synthetic fibers. Il can be easily cleaned with water and soap. The patented « ON/OFF » rotating occluding system efficiently prevents any leakage of sunscreen.

Do not forget to set the system on « OFF » to avoid any water entry into the tube when washing the brush.

Why are golfers more at risk for sun exposure ?

Both the duration of the golf game (4 to 5 hours), the frequent recurrence of golf sessions for a long period of life, and the average timing of the games during the sunlight peak intensity hours (10 am to 4 pm) explain the higher level of sun exposure for golfers.

What is the skin cancer rate in golfers ?

UV light is now a well recognized risk factor for skin cancer. Just in France there are at least 500 new skin cancer cases detected in golfers. A scientific study conducted in Marbella (Spain) indicated that random examination of 351 golfers revealed 10.7% cases of undetected skin cancer and 40% of pre-cancerous lesions of the skin (actinic keratosis).

Sun protection of golfers is now a significant public health issue, widely reported in the media in the SA, in Australia, in South Africa and in Asia.

^{*Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2015 Jan-Feb;106(1):51-60. doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2014.06.011. Skin cancer prevention and detection campaign at golf courses on Spain's Costa del Sol. del Boz J1, Fernández-Morano T, Padilla-España L et al..}

Why does an efficient sunscreen needs to also protect from UVA ?

UVA light is always present, anytime of the year and even when the skies are cloudy. They amount to 95% of UV that reach the surface of the earth. UVA penetrate deep into the skin, down to the dermis layer. Their effect are very detrimental to the skin in the long term. UVA contribute to skin aging and to the development of skin cancer.

Since 2006, cosmetic regulations requires that sunscreen can protect against both UVB and UVA, with a protection ratio of 1 to 3.

Selecting a sunscreen with a 50+ SPF warrants of a good protection against UVA.

Do I need to apply a sunscreen when skies are cloudy ?

Of course ! UV light rays can still beam across heavy clouds! A light cloudy haze in the sky for instance can let more than 90% of the UV light go though. Furthermore, UVB do not heat your skin. They can induce serious or even severe sunburns without you feeling any heating sensation. Even when the sky is cloudy, protect yourself from the sun.

Do sunscreen protect me during the whole game ?

No ! Even with the highest protection index, it is necessary to re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours.

Re-apply Dermaswing at the ninth hole.

Why do I need protection if my skin is already tanned ?

Sun tan is a natural protection against sun rays. When UVB hit our skin, skin cell defend themselves by producing melanin, a pigment that colors the skin and protects the cell content by absorbing and reflecting the light rays.

However, the sun tan is only equivalent to a very low protection factor of 2 to 4, which is clearly not enough to protect the skin against sunburns and long term damage leading to skin cancer.

Why adding an anti-oxidant to the sunscreen formula ?

The sunlight triggers the formation of free oxidizing radicals in the skin which damage the cells and induce premature aging and degeneration.

Although a sunscreen can block part of the UV, it is important to neutralize free radicals generated by the sun light with anti-oxidant agents such as natural vitamin E. The anti-oxidant is therefore a second line of defense against sun induced damages to the skin.