Is bigger really better?

We're talking about your SPF suncreen.

Many companies playing the numbers game with one manufacturer releasing a sunscreen product claiming triple-digit coverage.

Amanda is slathering on sunscreen. Her mother just bought two new tubes, one with SPF60, the other SPF100. That's right 100. These three products have 70 plus and 90.

"Ideally, what they want me to think is that if I buy 100 it's going to be more protective than 30, but I'm not necessarily sure that it works that way," said mother Christi Vrklan.

What do these big numbers really mean?

"People always want more protection. There are people in labs that will determine they may offer a slight benefit -- in the laboratory. Now whether that makes a difference in a patient in, for example, being exposed to sun. Does that make much of a difference? Probably not," said dermatologist Dr. Darron DiGiulio.

Despite an increase in sunscreen use there's also been an increase in malignant melanoma.

Five years ago lifeguard Sean Driscoll was diagnosed at age 18.

"No doubt about one in 40 patients are going to have melanoma in the next five to ten years," said DiGiulio.

These moms feel sun shirts offer more reliable coverage.

When it comes to sunscreens.

"Nothing higher than a 50. I just think the rest of it is probably, not necessarily more protective than the ones that are 30," said Michele Szewczyk.

Dr. DiGiuilia of the Cleveland Clinic agrees.

"No matter what number you use, put it on about a half hour before you go out, apply every two to three hours," said DiGiulio.

Skin experts say don't think an SPF100 means you are 100 per cent protected.

The FDA is considering putting a cap on SPF numbers at 50.