Q. How much sunscreen should you use at one time?
A. Most consumers do not use the proper amount of sunscreen. It is recommended that an average adult in a bathing suit use 30 ml(the size of a golf ball) for each application. This helps ensure that you adequately cover all exposed areas.

Q. What are the highest Banana Boat® SPFs available?
A. The highest SPF available in a lotion is SPF 50 and in a tanning oil SPF 15.

Q. If I am already sunburned, will a sunscreen protect me from burning further?
A. Yes, using a sunscreen is important in preventing further sunburn. It is recommended that you use the highest SPF possible. In addition, whenever possible, stay out of the sun between 10:00am and 4:00pm when the sun's rays are strongest. Using the highest SPF available is the next best prevention if you must be in the sun. And remember, sunlight penetrates clouds and so does 80% of the sun's damaging rays.

Q. What is the difference between UVA (short and long), UVB, and UVC rays?
A. All UV rays are emitted from the sun. The highest energy UV ray, C, is filtered out by the ozone layer and never reaches the earth.

• The UVB rays cause burning and thus have an immediate effect on the skin. UVB rays stop at the upper layers of the skin and do not penetrate further. UVB rays cause approximately 80% of all skin damage.
• UVA rays (both short and long) cause the long-term effects of premature wrinkling and aging of the skin. These rays penetrate deep into the skin. Most sunscreens protect against the UVB and short UVA rays. Three ingredients protect against long UVA rays; Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, and Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone).
• All Banana Boat® Sunscreens (all SPF's 15+) provide UVA and UVB protection.

Q. What do consumers need to know about water resistant claims?
A. Water resistant claims to retain their SPF after 80 minutes under water. Banana Boat® products meet or exceed this requirement.

Q. How do sweat resistant products work?
A. The sunscreen film that lies on the skin allows perspiration to flow freely during daylong activity. This high tech film continues to adhere throughout very active physical activity. During use the sunscreen film does not dissolve or migrate.

Q. What is Broad-spectrum protection?
A. The phrase indicates that a product shields against UVA as well as UVB. It does not guarantee protection against all UVA wavelengths. Most broad-spectrum sunscreens do a good job against UVB and short UVA rays.

Q. Will I get added protection if I start the day with an SPF sunscreen and then add more SPF sunscreen later on that day?
A. Reapplication may extend your protection if reapplied before getting sunburn. So if you are going to extend the amount of time in the sun use a higher SPF. Remember, the higher the SPF, the longer not stronger the protection.

Q. How often should I reapply? Can I put on a lower SPF once I have a good base tan?
A. Reapply at frequent intervals, and especially after swimming, perspiring, and towel drying. You should not use a lower SPF once you have a good base tan, because you are still getting exposure to the damaging rays of the sun.

Q. Why should sunscreen be applied 15-30 minutes before I go out in the sun?
A. To insure that the product has dried and formed a protective film on the skin.

Q. At what age should children begin wearing an SPF product?
A. Six months. Under six months is simply too young for a baby to be exposed to the sun without protective clothing. Check with your GP. After six months, a product specially designed for a baby is perfectly safe and necessary. All children should make the diligent use of sun protection products part of their daily regime. Since 80% of a person's lifetime sun damage occurs prior to the age of 18, using sun protection at an early age can ward off future cosmetic and health problems.

Q. How are raw materials selected for Banana Boat® products?
A. In our formulations we use the latest technology and most up-to-date raw materials. All of our raw materials are the best quality. To insure the high quality and unlimited supply of our raw materials, we buy them from world-class organizations only.

Q. At what temperature should the product be stored?
A. Preferably, products should be stored at room temperature, however all Banana Boat® products have been stability tested for usage at temperatures ranging from 48°C to 0°C.

Q. Do I need suncare products only in the summer?
A. No, you need sunscreen all year long whenever you are exposed to the sun - skiing, sitting near a window, or even driving in a car.

Q. Do you need to take extra precautions in the sun if you are taking medication?
A. You may need to do so. Photosensitization, an increased sensitivity to sun exposure, is a possible side effect of certain medications (prescription drugs and OTC pain relievers). Your GP should be consulted before sun exposure when using a prescription medication.

Q. Will sunscreen block the Vitamin D that naturally comes from the sun's rays?
A. While it is true that sunscreens will block some of the Vitamin D provided by the sun, the benefits of using sunscreen far outweigh the benefits of receiving Vitamin D in this manner. The amount of Vitamin D blocked depends on the amount of sunscreen applied, the SPF factor used and the length of exposure to the sun. Since Vitamin D supplements can be taken, it is always a wise choice to use sunscreen whenever you are planning on being in the sun for any length of time.

Q. If I use my sunscreen along with a separate insect repellent product, will the SPF still be as effective?
A. Not necessarily. Application of another product may in fact diminish SPF, or may compromise the effectiveness of both products.

Q. Is it OK to use a hair bleaching product or depilatory on my skin before applying sunscreen and going out in the sun?
A. Depilatories and bleaching products make skin tender and may cause a rash. In most cases it will be safe to use sunscreen. However, depending on your skin you may want to wait one day before using a sunscreen. If a rash does appear, immediately discontinue use of the sunscreen and cleanse your skin with soap and water.

Q. I usually wear moisturizer under my makeup. Now I'd like to wear sunscreen on my face, too. In what order should I apply?
A. Apply moisturizer first, sunscreen second, and makeup last. For best results, allow some drying time between applications. For easier application, try Banana Boat® Faces Plus Sunscreens, especially formulated for your face. These products contain moisturizers as well as sunscreen, allowing you to skip a layer during application.