Dr. Deb

I was part of the Hawaiian tropic, aluminum foil; it’s not Memorial Day unless I peel from sunburn club. Now I avoid the sun and make sure all of my kids are covered. Not only is skin cancer the most common cancer but now that I am in my forties, I see the wrinkles my early tanning has caused and no longer expose myself to the harmful sunrays.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, but the guidelines for sunscreens that may protect against skin cancer are outdated at over 30 years old. Finally, the FDA has taken first steps to improve recommendations with guidelines that go into effect summer 2012.

Dr Deb’s Sun Protection Recommendations

1. Use Broad spectrum with an SPF of 30 or higher

Broad Spectrum must protect from UVA and UVB, which are forms of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UVB radiation is made up of shortwave rays, which affect only the outer layer of the skin, causing sunburns. UVA radiation is made up of long-wave rays, which penetrate to deeper levels of the skin and contribute to cancer and aging.

Only sunscreens labeled as broad spectrum with an SPF of 15 or higher may state they reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging according to new FDA guidelines.

If it is not broad spectrum, you will still see an SPF but it is only rating UVB protection. On broad-spectrum sunscreens, higher SPF numbers mean more protection against UVB as well as more protection against UVA. The FDA plans to ban SPF values higher than 50. Many groups feel that sunscreens do not offer enough UVA protection, as 20% of all sunscreens in America could not be sold in Europe, which has a higher UVA protection requirement.

2. Water Resistant up to 80 minutes

The new FDA regulations say sunscreens will no longer be “waterproof” or “sweat proof” since they would all wash off.

Water resistant must still show SPF protection after swimming or sweating. It will be labeled as either 40 minutes or 80 minutes of protection.  Sunscreens that are not water resistant will have to say so in the “fact box” on the side or back of the package.

3. Reapply Sunscreen every 2 hours

Many people will put sunscreen when they go in the sun and think that one application is enough. Sunscreen should be applied at least every 2 hours even, if it is water resistant. Today when my kids packed up for camp I had them apply in the morning and packed some with their lunch so they would apply again for the afternoon.

4. Physical Barrier is the Best protection

Sunscreen cannot replace the protection that a wide brimmed hat or SPF clothing can give. There are so many options for shirted swimwear and heat guard that can provide protection from the sun while still keeping you cool.

The FDA guidelines apply to lotions and creams. What about cosmetics and sprays that make claims regarding sun protection?

Cosmetics will have to be tested and proven to be effective before they can claim SPF or broad range protection. The FDA is calling for more testing of sprays as they differ in their dosage and application before they can be labeled.

Some groups claim that the US sunscreens contain poisons. Are there certain ingredients that we should avoid?

Depends who you ask. The FDA claims that sunscreens have been safe for 30 years and while they continue to do testing, all of the ingredients are safe.

The Environmental Working Group feels that the FDA is doing too little too late and asking for ingredients like oxybenzone, retinyl palmitate and nanoparticles not be used.  These products are often found in spray on sunscreens and even the FDA is asking for more testing on spray products.

Minerals such as zinc or titanium are considered to be the preferred protection.  The FDA also plans to ban SPF values higher than 50. Several products on the market now claim to protect to SPF 100 or higher.

Applying sunscreen should become a daily ritual like brushing teeth to keep you and your family safe. Thankfully the FDA is making it easier to know which sunscreens are worth the money.

Happy Summer!

Dr. Deb