When the warmth of the sun touches our skin so does the possibility of UV damage. In the USA we're used to seeing SPF on sunscreen bottles to tell us how much protection we're getting. SPF relates to UVB protection, and helps us understand how long we can spend in the sun before we might burn.
With the Asian market becoming more visible around the world, we are now being introduced to the PA+ rating. But what is it and why is it important?
Understanding What PA Is And Why We Need UVA Protection In Sunscreen All Year
UVA rays from the Sun have the longest wavelengths and penetrate the deepest layers of the skin. It is responsible for free radical activity that accelerates aging in the skin and, in the worst cases, can cause DNA changes resulting in skin cancer.
According to an analysis on why UVA protection is so important, “Compared with UVB, UVA rays are less energetic, but due to their higher penetration properties, they can pass through a cloudy sky or even glass. At the skin level, UVA rays can pass through the epidermis and reach the lower dermis. Approximately 100 times more UVA reach the dermis than UVB photons.”
While protecting the skin from UVB rays is crucial, we only tend to notice the need for it during the sunny summer months when we practically live outside. UVA are sneaky rays that can penetrate deeper into the skin, doing their damage quietly when sunscreen doesn’t seem absolutely necessary.
The Meaning of PA+ in Sunscreen
Created in Japan, the PA rating system stands for “Protection Grade of UVA” and measures how effectively a sunscreen protects against UVA rays. Founded on the trusted PPD method, or Persistent Pigment Darkening, this method specifically studies how long it takes for the skin to pigment, or tan, under UVA exposure. Determining the protection factor with this method, the sunscreen being rated is applied to the skin.
The PA rating is established by a series of plus signs to determine the effectiveness of a sunscreen to protect against UVA rays. The level of protection increases with each additional plus sign with one (+) holding some level of protection and increasing to four (++++) being the highest rating for the most protection.
PA Is The New SPF For Sunscreen
The SPF rating or Sun Protection Factor was invented in 1962 and by the 1990s the majority of sun protection products on the market had a SPF rating of 15 to 30. Being the most recognizable measure of protection, SPF measures how much UV radiation is needed to develop a sunburn on protected skin.
UVB rays only reach and are absorbed by the surface layer of the skin, or epidermis. This critical perspective clarifies UVB vs. UVA and why we need sunscreen protection from both, “UVB is the primary cause of erythema, a radiation-induced inflammatory response appearing as the reddening of the skin, commonly known as sunburn.”
UVB rays are mostly responsible for the inflammation that can result in sunburn. Therefore the SPF rating is very specific to protecting against UVB rays. Many rely on looking for the phrase “broad-spectrum” because it references both UVA and UVB protection. But how can we be sure to what level we are being protected from the longer, deeply penetrating UVA rays? Enter the PA rating.
Does Your Sunscreen Have a PA rating?
If so, here is what the scale of protection looks like:
- PA+ = Lightest UVA Protection
- PA++= Moderate UVA Protection
- PA+++= High UVA Protection
- PA ++++= Highest UVA Protection
Tips For Protection Against Both UVA & UVB Rays And Scoring The Best Sunscreen
With the growing awareness of skin cancer prevention and premature aging, gone are the days of "laying out" without protection. Or worse, drenching your face and body in products intended to crank up the UV damage. Tanning beds, once the go-to for that "perfect tan," have also lost their appeal. Much like smoking, some still choose to accept the risks. But if you’re reading this, chances are you're looking for ways to protect your health and well-being.
With the awareness of effective broad spectrum sunscreen protection that not only prevents a sunburn and lowers the risk of skin cancer, we are understanding the need to protect our skin’s deeper structure. UVA has a direct effect on collagen and elastin fibers and without proper UVA protection, the result is the loss of elasticity and wrinkles. We all have that aunt, neighbor or friend who aged quickly because they spent way too much time in the Sun without the right protection.
The FDA regulates sunscreen and strongly suggests the following:
- Keep your sun time in check, especially from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when the sun is basically throwing a party with its strongest rays.
- Dress for sun success! Throw on long sleeves, pants, sunglasses, and a big hat to keep those UV rays in check.
- Use a broad spectrum (UVA + UVB protection) sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more if you're swimming or sweating—because that sun’s not taking a break!
With the PA+ rating getting more attention and people finally catching on to the dangers of UVA exposure, finding a sunscreen that's not only broad-spectrum but also packs a high PA rating just simply makes sense.
“What If My Skin Is Too Sensitive For Sunscreen?”
So often, people with sensitive skin choose not to use sunscreen protection because of allergies and sensitivities. All too often, these reactions happen because of common ingredients used in sunscreens. And many for reasons other than protecting from UV radiation, like fragrances and chemicals added for texture and preservation. There is a solution!
Photonic™ - Light Shifting Solution SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Facial Sunscreen + Moisturizer is a beautiful non-greasy, tinted mineral sunscreen that holds up to the “best in class” standard as a broad spectrum SPF 30 with a PA+++ rating. Even better, it has been proven safe for sensitive skin with dermatologist patch testing on volunteers with sensitive skin. So no question, this one is made for you!
Not every sunscreen available in the USA will have a PA rating. In the USA only a very basic, in vitro test is required to sell a sunscreen. An in vitro test is a lab test not using living human skin. The allowed test for the USA tests only for a very basic level of UVA protection.
Chemical sunscreen ingredients tend to be not very good at UVA protection. Most chemical sunscreens only protect from UVB rays. Avobenzone is one of the few chemical sunscreen filters allowed in the USA that provides UVA coverage. The problem is how quickly it breaks down, resulting in declining UVA protection performance from chemical sunscreens over the time that they are exposed to sun.
Zinc oxide sunscreens do not have this problem as the mineral remains on the skin without breaking down. This offers a superior UVA shield for skin.
PA testing is required for mineral sunscreens being sold in the EU. Blissoma invested in this important test to prove just how extensive the protection from Photonic™ mineral sunscreen is. The PA test conducted on Photonic was the ISO 24442:2022(E), which is performed using 10 living human volunteers. This means a more accurate result since it's not just a simulation.
Go check the sunscreen you have right now and see if it has a PA rating. If not it's time to get a sunscreen that is proven to protect from UVA rays at a high level.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is general in nature and for informational purposes. It is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. None of the statements on this site are a recommendation as to how to treat any particular disease or health-related condition. If you suspect you have a disease or health-related condition of any kind, you should contact your health care professional immediately. Please read all product packaging carefully and consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise, supplementation or medication program. Cosmetic products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.