Q. What does SPF stand for?
A. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. This number is the multiplier that tells you how long you can stay in the sun without getting burned. For example, if you can stay in the sun for 10 minutes without getting burned, then your natural protection is 10 minutes. An SPF-15 will provide you with 15 times your natural protection. Therefore, you should be able to stay out in the sun for 150 minutes without getting burned.

Q. It is safe to use sunscreen on an infant?
A. It was previously believed that infants under six months should not wear sunscreen. In the August 1999 issue of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics release a policy statement that parents can now use sunscreen on infants younger than six months. It is still recommended to avoid sun exposure all together, or dressing babies in lightweight long sleeved shirts and pants. "However, there's no evidence that using sunscreen on small areas of a baby's skin causes harm." Experts now say sunscreen is far less risky to babies than once thought, and not nearly as risky as unprotected exposure to the sun.

Q. Can any sun care products provide total protection?
A. No product is a total sunblock. The normal range of protection is between 94-98% depending on the SPF protection. Over a period of time the sunscreen will degrade in efficacy, and some tanning may occur. That is why it is recommended to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours. IMPORTANT: Practice other sun-safe measures, such as avoiding the mid-day sun and wearing sun protective clothing such as a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeved shirt.

Q. Can I use sunscreen with bug repellent, and get two-in-one protection?
A. No. Consumer Reports did testing and this is what they found, "As for insect repellent with sunscreen, the two we tested for a report last June did not repel bugs especially well. A study published in 1997 showed that deet can reduce a sunscreen's SPF by up to one-third." Consumer Reports, June 2001. If you are going to use both sunscreen and bug repellent, put on the sunscreen first and let it set-up 15-30 minutes. Then put on your favorite bug repellent.

Q. What's the difference between two sunscreens with the same SPF?
A. Formulation: Many sunscreens have the same or similar active ingredients, but the difference is the median in which those active ingredients are placed. It is the median that determines how well a sunscreen works. That is why Rocky Mountain Sunscreen uses a Bonding Base formula. It stays on the skin better, and lasts longer without clogging the pores of your skin.

Q. Is it true that you don't need anything above an SPF-15?
A. For fair skinned people, and people on certain medications (ask your doctor) SPF-15 is not enough. There are a lot of factors that will determine which SPF to use. The UV index for the day, how long you are in the sun, and altitude will also affect the sun's UV intensity. You will need a higher SPF 30-50 for the following factors: the higher the UV index, the longer you are in the sun, the higher the altitude or closer to the equator (southern states).

Q. What is melanoma?
A. Melanoma, a very serious skin cancer, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing tanning cells. Melanomas may suddenly appear without warning but can also develop from or near a mole. They are found most frequently on the upper backs of men and women or on the legs of women, but can occur anywhere on the body. The overall incidence of melanoma is rising at an alarming rate. In 2003, at current rates one in 67 Americans have a lifetime risk of developing invasive melanoma, a 2000% increase from 1930. In addition, one in 39 Americans have a lifetime risk of developing melanoma, invasive or non-invasive.

Q. How many people will develop melanoma this year?
A. There will be about 91,900 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in the United States in 2003 - 37,700 in (non-invasive) and 54,200 invasive (29,900 men and 24,300 women). This is a 4 percent increase in new cases of melanoma from 2002.