Jul 27, 2007 11:00 pm US/Eastern
Making Sense Of Sun Protection Products
by Dr. Mallika Marshall
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
When it comes to buying sunscreen, the choices can be maddening -- from different SPF numbers to ingredients we've never heard of. Now, the FDA is trying to help.
We slather it, spray it, apply it again and again. And even then...."I put about four applications on of 40 and still got burned," said one sunbather.
And with all the different products, just buying sunscreen can make you dizzy.
The last time the FDA released sunscreen guidelines was 1991. Since then, new ingredients and labels have entered the market. There's waterproof, very water resistant -- even ultra sweat proof. But what do they mean?
"Water resistant is a term that the FDA defines," said Cambridge Dermatologist Dr. Ranella Hirsch. "It means a very specific thing."
The FDA has no definition for waterproof or sweat proof. "All day protection, for example, has no meaning...that's a marketing term solely."
Dr. Hirsch says new regulations are long overdue. She believes the FDA will concentrate on UVA protection -- the rays that cause long term skin damage, aging, and cancer. "When it says broad spectrum… it means there is some element of UVA protection… The problem, there isn't consistency."
There is consistency when it comes to UVB protection -- it's measured by the SPF number -- a number that means the same thing regardless of the brand. "Our evidence suggest the FDA will attempt to regulate UVA comparably to the way they regulated UVB," said Dr. Hirsch.
In the meantime, Dr. Hirsch recommends buying a broad-spectrum product, and in particular, looking for a new ingredient called mexoryl. "Mexoryl is the only UVA protectant that the FDA has approved."
Despite the confusion, sunscreens are one of our best protections against harmful rays. No matter how strong a product appears to be, you need to apply it a half hour before going in the sun and then reapply it every two hours.
The FDA indicates it also will be looking at the SPF rating. One possibility is that it will change from a number system, like 15 or 30, to low, medium, or high protection.
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