Is Your Sunscreen Protecting You?

The FDA has finally gotten its act together and issued tougher standards for sunscreen products.

Currently most sunscreen products claim to offer protection against UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays are most commonly linked to skin cancer and UVB rays are linked to sunburn.

Current rules only require testing for UVB rays (sunburn) and not UVA rays (skin cancer). So all those products that currently claim to protect against UVA are just that—claims. They have not been tested against any federal standards.

Starting next summer, products must be tested to determine how well they protect against the UVA cancer causing rays.

Based on the new standards that will go in effect starting next summer, you can determine the best sunscreen products currently on the market. Note the following tips:

1.    Labels like  “waterproof” or “sweat proof” or “sunblock” are actually misleading because currently no product has been tested to prove that it can actually provide this much protection. When the new rules go into effect no product will be allowed to use such claims.

2.    Use only sunscreen labeled as “Broad Spectrum with SPF of 15 or higher”, which is more likely to protect against skin cancer and early skin aging. Anything else will only protect against sunburn.

3.    You should reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours. Water resistant sunscreens should be reapplied even more frequently; follow the directions on the label.

4.    Remember that sunscreen alone is not sufficient. You should also limit your time in the sun between 10:00am and 2:00pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.

5.    Limit exposed skin by wearing long sleeves, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.

Have a sun-safe day!