THE BEARD: Built-in Sunscreen For a Man's Face

The science, as they say, is settled.

A study conducted at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia, published in the journal Radiation Protection Dosimetry, examined the effectiveness of facial hair in protecting against UV rays through dosimetry — the measurement and calculation of the absorbed amount of radiation using both direct and indirect exposure. Researchers used mannequins as the participants for the study — some had stick-on beards that ranged in one and a half to three and half inches in length and the rest were clean-shaven. The results of the study showed that beards can prevent skin cancer with an estimated 90 to 95 percent of protection against harmful UVs...

...Professor of radiation physics at the University of Southern Queensland and researcher of the study, Alfio Parisi, said beards are "...a reduction in the UV of 50 to 95 percent," reported Men's Journal. An ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) system is used for apparel; UPF rating of 15 is good, and 50+ provides the most extensive protection. Facial hair can have a UPF anywhere from two to 21, confirmed Parisi...

...Whether you opt to have a beard a la Ryan Gosling or go clean-shaven a la Leonardo DiCaprio, always remember to have in handy a sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) that can provide broad spectrum, or protection against both UVB and UVA rays, says the Food and Drug Administration...

And by "beard", I certainly do not mean the First Lady -- and I resent that implication.


Hat tip: BadBlue Tech News.