Sunscreen Benefits Missed Out by More Men? 5 Facts You Need to Know

A study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that men are less likely to use sunscreen to protect their skin from the sun.

According to CNN, the study has found that only 14.3 percent of men confirmed that they regularly use sunscreen.

"The Low sunscreen use we observed among men is consistent with other studies that found men may view sunscreen as too feminine...," says Dawn Holman, behavioral scientist at the CDC Division of Cancer Prevention and Control in Chamblee, Georgia, reports Fox News.

Below are five facts to take note of the next time you decide to bask under the sun.

1. The difference between UVA and UVB rays.

According to Sonya Lunder, senior analyst in the study, "UVB are higher energy and are responsible for sunburn. UVA rays are lower energy and are more constant year round, can go through glass and they are related to skin aging, known to depress the immune system, and are linked to melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer." 

2. Sunburns will increase the risk of future melanomas.

CNN states that the risk of developing melanomas increases with "each additional sunburn." The site advices to "avoid sunburn, no matter your age."  

"Each phase of life matters, so even if you've never used sunscreen in the past you're still going to reap benefits by starting today. By staying sun-safe and avoiding sunburn, you still have a chance to reduce your risk," says Holman. 

3. Not all sunscreens are the same.

According to Consumer Reports, not all sunscreens provide the same protection. The site lists the following as the best sunscreens to choose from: 

• No-Ad Sport SPF 50 lotion for $10 

• Equate Sport Continuous Spray SPF 30 for $8 from Walmart 

• Equate Ultra Protection lotion SPF 50 for $9 from Walmart 

4. Spray-on sunscreens are not as effective. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) believes consumers tend to apply insufficient amount of spray-on sunscreen. Hence, they cannot effectively protect their skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

"With lotions you know how much you are applying to your skin, and that's important because you want to know that you are putting on an adequate amount to protect your skin," says Holman. 

5. Higher SPF does not protect skin better. 

"As SPF gets higher and higher, you really aren't getting a proportional increase in the amount of UVA protection because the chemical levels allowed to be added to U.S. sunscreens maxes out around 20 SPF," Lunder says.