A new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology confirms what doctors already knew: Applying sunscreen regularly helps prevent the deadly skin cancer melanoma. However, some products are better than others. Knowing how to select the right sunscreen is key to protecting your skin.
Clearer Labeling to Come
Following new regulations from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most sunscreen labels will undergo an upgrade this summer to help make them easier to understand. The new regulations are effective June 18 (as confirmed at the time of publication). Some will clearly state that they protect against skin cancer. Products that can make this claim are those that:
Provide broad-spectrum protection , meaning they block both ultraviolet B (UVB) rays (that cause sunburn) and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays that (cause skin aging and cancer).
Have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher
What’s more, you’ll no longer see the word “waterproof.” No sunscreen can truly last through swimming or sweating. Instead, they’ll be labeled water-resistant. Each one will list the length of time it can protect you after swimming or excessive sweating: either 40 or 80 minutes.
Tips for Sunscreen Protection
Smaller sunscreen manufacturers aren’t required to follow the new rules until 2013. Ask the pharmacist at your local Good Neighbor Pharmacy for advice on choosing and using sunscreen wisely, and remember these tips:
Select products that are at least SPF 15. In the new study, they were sufficient to protect against melanoma. The FDA says there’s no proof that products with SPF 50 or higher provide extra protection.
Look for ingredients avobenozone, oxybenzone, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide on the label. These protect against both types of harmful rays.
Reapply every two hours. If you are sweating heavily or going in and out of the water, do so every 40 minutes, even if you’re using a water-resistant formula.
Don’t use sunscreen as an excuse to bake in the sun longer. Try to stay in the shade between 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
Other Sun Protection Advice
To defend your skin, follow this additional advice:
Use extra caution near water, snow and sand. They reflect and worsen the damaging rays of the sun and increase the odds of sunburn.
Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
GOOD NEIGHBOR PHARMACY JUNE 2012
Share with Freind
