SUNSCREEN

On September 23, 2011 by constance

Help is on the way to consumers confused by the jumble of sun protection numbers and other claims on sunscreens.

There is a popular misconception that SPF relates to time of solar exposure. Many consumers believe that if they normally get sunburn in one hour, then an SPF 15 sunscreen allows them to stay in the sun for 15 hours without burning. This is not true because SPF is not directly related to length of sun exposure.

Under new rules sunscreens will have to prove they filter out both ultraviolet B rays and ultraviolet A rays to claim they protect against skin cancer.

Starting next summer, if they do not protect against both, or the sun protection factor is below 15, then they have to carry a warning: “This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin ageing.”

The key takeaway for consumers is: Look for a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 15 and above that also says “broad spectrum.” That’s the new buzzword from the Food and Drug Administration to describe a product that does an acceptable job blocking both types of damaging rays.

The new regulations require that sunscreens be tested for the ability to block the more dangerous ultraviolet A rays, which can penetrate glass and pose the greatest risk of skin cancer and premature aging. Now, the FDA only requires testing for ultraviolet B rays that cause sunburn. That’s what the familiar SPF measure is based on.

Under the new rules:

— The FDA will prohibit sunscreen marketing claims like “waterproof” and “sweatproof,” which the agency said “are exaggerations of performance.”

— The FDA also proposes capping the highest SPF value at 50, unless companies can provide results of further testing that support a higher number.

— FDA says manufacturers must phase out a four-star system currently used by some companies to rate UVA protection.

Medico Beauty and our specialists at Plastic Surgery Associates UK, Mr. A Awwad and Constance Campion recommend a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every two hours while outside.

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