New Changes in Sunscreens You’ll Want to Know!
You should use some protection when you go out into it. That is, if you really care about aging. You can still get tan when you use sun protection.
UVA is for Aging UVB is for Burning Always remember you’re a’s and you’re b’s!
Four long years ago, I blogged this page and waited to see the changes in the market. None happened. However, this week, the FDA finally announced it's decided to make that change. Its not going to be a star rating system as originally proposed in 2007 though. (Which would have been simpler and more exacting in my view...) 2011 Changes for Sunscreens!Sunscreen labels will be required to have a 'broad spectrum' label to show they offer protection against UVA and UVB radiation, according to a (long awaited and long overdue) new rule from the FDA. "This is a very significant day for us. The FDA is announcing major changes in how sunscreens are regulated in the U.S.," Janet Woodcock, MD, director of the FDA center for drug evaluation, said this past week at a news conference. "This will allow people to make better decisions and better protect themselves from sun-induced damage." Products that are available today and labeled as 'broad spectrum', may or may not protect against UVA rays. This new rule mandates that the 'broad spectrum' claim can only be made for products that protect against both UVA and UVB rays. The new rules won't take effect until the summer of next year. (That's what they said last time...) 'Sun Protection Factor' designation demonstrates how well a product protects against UVB radiation. However, new products with the 'broad spectrum"' labeling will also be required to pass a test establishing protection against UVA radiation as well. It has always been the case that the higher the SPF number on the label, the longer and better protection they are supposed to offer against both UVA and UVB rays. Words like 'waterproof' and 'sweatproof' will also have to be removed from labels. Instead, they will be labeled as 'water-resistant' or 'sweat-resistant', as there is no such thing as waterproof or sweatproof. UVB radiation is responsible for sunburn and plays a major role in causing the deadly skin cancer Melanoma. UVB rays only affect the outer layer of the skin. UVA radiation is less intense than UVB but is 30 to 50 times more prevalent than UVB radiation and penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin. UVA is the dominant tanning ray and is closely linked to aging the skin. It can also damage DNA and cause skin cancer. The 'broad spectrum' designation carries a lot less specific information about UVA protection than the star rating system the FDA originally proposed in 2007. The FDA finally decided only to insist that UVA protection must increase as the SPF number increases. In the new rules, there will be no more number value's allowed above 50 SPF. Please do take the time to read the rest of this page. It gives you some important information about sunscreens that is still current. 2007 Proposed Changes for Sunscreens!There are some important changes on the way that you’ll need to know about. These concern a new rating system for screening products. You will probably see some of the new changes very soon at a local store near you. Most people's knowledge about sunscreen products is limited: we shouldn't go in the sun without it and the higher the SPF, the more protection we have. Actually, neither of those is exactly true. SPF ratings alone are somewhat deceptive, partly because of new scientific information and partly because the current system is misleading. This information has led to a proposal for new rules about the labeling of sunscreen products. Here’s the real scoop about what you need to know now, and what you’ll need to know in the near future! Labeling The current system classifies sunscreen protection with the familiar SPF (Sunburn Protection Factor). Many organizations, including the American Academy of Dermatology, claim that a sunscreen with SPF 15 would allow a person who would ordinarily burn in, say 10 minutes, to stay in the sun for 150 minutes (10 x 15) before getting burned. However, the FDA disputes this theory since SPF is related to the amount of solar exposure, not time in the sun, and is dependent on other factors including geographic location, time of day, skin type, amount of sunscreen applied, and rate of reapplication. However, these ratings only apply to UVB rays when, in fact, UVA rays are just as damaging to the skin, if not more so. The new rules will also require sunscreen products to display on the label a four-star rating to indicate the level of protection from UVA rays. One star means low protection and four stars promises the highest level available. If a product does not offer UVA protection, the label must say 'No UVA Protection' near the SPF. Each sunblock product label will feature two separate ratings: stars for UVA and; an SPF number and description for UVB protection. This reflects the current understanding in the medical and scientific communities that UVA light is just as damaging (if not more) than UVB light. Remember, UVA’s are the ultraviolet rays that tan your skin, cause skin cancer, and other damage. UVB’s are the burning rays and were previously believed to be the only rays that were destructive. Oops, but there’s more! There's a third kind of ultraviolet light, called UVC, that could also be destructive but it is absorbed by gases in the atmosphere so there is no need to add protection for it in sunblocks. New Rules for Marketing The new labeling rules are very good news for the consumer. In addition to providing specific information about UVA protection, the manufacturers must now be more precise in their use of descriptive terms on sunblock labels. For instance, manufacturers can no longer use the term 'broad spectrum'. Some labeling will stay the same however, such as water resistant. Those products need to be reapplied after 40 minutes of swimming or sweating, and after towel drying, otherwise it should be applied every two hours. Those labeled 'sweat resistant' would last for at least 80 minutes in the water. More Advanced Sunscreens New and better sunscreens are on the way! Some of the best products on the market today include Aveeno and Neutrogena products which use an ingredient called Helioplex. These are made with the ingredients Avobenzone and Oxybenzone, which protect against UVA and UVB rays. Other companies are sure to follow suit very soon! Neutrogena sunscreen The FDA is sssoooo slow to bring new products to the market normally, so it’s hard to know when the new regulations will come into law. However, the new labeling system will be mandated to start sometime in the summer of 2009, but could be delayed until 2010 or even later. You can also find total sunblock products which in the past, were not found in the US but available in Europe only. These are now available here. They are Anthelios We’ll start seeing new products on the market as early as this summer as manufacturers rush to be first in line to produce the new star rated-SPF system. For the best protection, most doctors recommend at least a 3 star rating for UVA and an SPF of 30 or higher for UVB protection! *Note - Since I added this page a few months ago, I've found out some 'other news'. The FDA asked consumers to 'vote' on this issue. Since then, no new changes have been made in the sunscreen industry. In a way, that action caused a delay in the new products being seen on the market. Big surprise! I know I looked for the star rating labels all summer long. Maybe in time, the FDA will get off their Related Pages on This Site Interesting Facts About Sunblocks Sunless Tanning Lotions - How to Guide Rich Dark Chocolate Facial Masks – A Creamy Sensual Pleasure Tooth Whitening Products - The Big Anti Aging Picture Hyaluronic Acid Benefits - Reduce Wrinkles and Improve Health Boost Skin Moisture to Plump and Revitalize Skin Care - Don't Forget Your Luscious Lips! Find the Best Prices L'Oreal Sublime Self Tanning Lotion Neutrogena Sun Fresh Sunless Lotion Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer
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