YES,More Sunscreen!

more sunscreen! YES,Wear it. Wear plenty of it. And this summer is Read the ingredients Broad spectrum the first season for the new FDA regulations. Sunscreen companies use different mixtures Until the final FDA requirements took Here’s what you need to know about labels of ingredients. Choose products that have a effect, sunscreens were only evaluated and and ingredients from Dr. Alan Friedman of variety of sun-blocking agents. Dr. Friedman regulated for their ability to protect against Montefiore Medical Center. recommends selecting a sunscreen that UVB radiation, as measured by SPF. Now, contains several organic sun-blocking agents sunscreens also are evaluated for their UVA Water-resistant such as ecamsule, cinoxate, octyl salicylate, protection. Sunscreens labeled as “broad Sunscreens claiming to be waterproof and and benzophenones (oxybenzone). The spectrum” protect against both UVA and sweat proof are no longer on the shelves. different chemicals work in synergy to UVB radiation. In their place are 40- and 80-minute water- create greater sun protection than any one resistant sunscreens. They offer sun protection ingredient alone. Also, combining multiple “UVA penetrates deeper into the skin where for a limited time when exposed to water. agents allows companies to use less of each, it can accelerate skin aging and cause skin Choose the 80-minute water-resistant product which decreases the risk of any associated cancer. I call UVA the silent killer, because and reapply after swimming or toweling off. irritation. unlike UVB, it does not cause sunburns so it is hard to tell if you are getting harmful The best products also contain mineral, exposure,” said Dr. Friedman. “Broad Sun Protection Factor physical sun-blocking agents like zinc spectrum sunscreen use should not be oxide and titanium oxide. In the past, limited to beach outings or summer months. (SPF) these ingredients appeared chalky and left Recent research showed that the skin aging Some people think that SPF measures the skin greasy, but newer products deliver process is significantly slower among people length of time users can be in the sun “micronized” thinner, sheerer formulations. who apply broad spectrum sunscreen daily, before getting sunburned. Not so. SPF Products that contain talc and bentone gel year round.” defines the amount of ultraviolet B (UVB) prevent these ingredients from clumping, and radiation needed to cause sunburn, even improve cosmetic appearance. while sunscreen is on. Sunscreens with SPF 2 through SPF 14 can prevent sunburn, but they Look for pH stabilizers to hydrate and provide no protection against skin cancer or fortify the skin, like dimethicone, premature skin aging. Such sunscreens must cyclomethicone, and sodium now carry a warning label stating, “Spending phosphate. When the skin time in the sun increases your risk of skin is hydrated, its can heal cancer and early skin aging. This product has and repair itself much been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not more quickly. skin cancer or early skin aging.”

The FDA has yet to rule on whether products with SPF values higher than 50 provide extra protection compared to ones with SPF values of 50.

For a sunscreen to reach its listed SPF, a full ounce (think of a shot glass full) needs to be applied. Recent research shows that people only apply 20–25% of this amount, unknowingly lowering the protection factor of their sunscreens. Best choice: SPF 30 or higher and plenty of it.