New Sunscreen Lanels tell the Truth

[Guest guest]

Sunscreen Safety

Most people's knowledge about sunscreen products

is limited to two tidbits: first, we shouldn't go in the sun without

it... and second, the higher the SPF, the more protection we have.

Actually, neither of those items is exactly correct. Since I've written

before about how we actually need a bit of unprotected sun exposure (see

Daily Health News,

 

August 7, 2007), I'll leave that topic aside right now in order to

concentrate on the latter point -- that SPF ratings alone are not exactly

on target, in part because of new scientific information and in part

because the current system is misleading. This has led to its proposal

for new rules about the labeling of sunscreen products. So here's what

you need to know when picking your sunscreen...

LOTS MORE ON THE LABEL

The current system classifies sunscreen protection with the familiar SPF

(short for " 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 12

minutes, to stay in the sun for 180 minutes (12 x 15) before getting the

same burn. However, the FDA disputes this theory since SPF is related to

the amount of solar exposure, not time, 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 light is also damaging to the skin.

 

Therefore, the proposed new rules will also require sunscreen products to

display on the label a four-star rating to indicate level of protection

from UVA rays. One star means low protection and four promises the

highest level available. If a product does not offer UVA protection, the

label must say " No UVA protection " near the SPF. So, each

sunscreen product label will feature two separate ratings -- stars for

UVA and an SPF number and descriptor for UVB protection.

This reflects the current understanding in the scientific and medical

communities that UVA light -- the ultraviolet rays that tan your skin --

causes skin cancer and other damage, whereas it was previously believed

that only UVB light (the " burning " rays) could be destructive.

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 sunscreen protection for it.

PRECISE RULES FOR MARKETING CLAIMS

The new labeling rules are all very good for the consumer, I was told by

Darrell Rigel, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at New York

University Medical Center. He was enthusiastic about several aspects of

the new labeling system. In addition to providing specific information

about UVA protection, the manufacturers must now be more precise in their

use of descriptive terms on sunscreen labels. For instance, manufacturers

can no longer use the term " broad spectrum. " Some labeling will

stay the same. Sunscreens labeled " water resistant " are those

that need to be reapplied after 40 minutes of swimming or sweating, and

after towel drying. Otherwise, every two hours. Those labeled " very

water resistant " or " very sweat resistant " would survive

80 minutes of water immersion. The terms " sweatproof " and

" waterproof " never had any legal meaning, added Dr. Rigel, and

once the new rules become law, they can no longer be used.

NEW AND BETTER SUNSCREENS

Additionally, Dr. Rigel told me that much better sunscreen products are

being developed. In his view, some of the best current products

(including Aveeno products and Neutrogena products using an ingredient

combo marketed as Helioplex) are made with the ingredients avobenzone and

oxybenzone, which protect against both UVA and UVB. Other companies will

soon introduce versions like these as well.

The FDA approval process takes time so it's hard to predict exactly when

the new regulations will become law. Dr. Rigel postulated that the new

labeling system will be mandated in time for summer of 2009, but he says

we'll start seeing products using the dual star-SPF system this summer.

When you see these new and improved labels, he recommends purchasing only

sunscreens with a rating of three stars or higher for UVA protection and

an SPF of 30 or higher for UVB protection.

Source(s):

Darrell S. Rigel, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at New York

University Medical Center. Dr. Rigel is a past president of the American

Academy of Dermatology and is a recipient of a Presidential Citation from

the American Academy of Dermatology for Public Education Programs and of

the American Cancer Society's National Honor Citation for Skin Cancer

Programs. He practices in Manhattan and can be reached at

 

rigelderm.com.

[Guest guest]

the neutralizer gel from miracle ll can be used as sun screen and as sun

burn treatment if that is what is needed.......it is so safe , you can eat

it.........all natural, non-toxic and it will not harm any body of water

the way commercial sunscreens damage coral reefs and aquatic

life! visit ncpmiracle2.com for more information........or ask

me....i've been using their products for over eight years now and would be

happy to share! kraig

Kraig Carroll

Environmental Damage Repair

 

 

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