SunWisdom SUNWISDOM SW SUNWISDOM Action Steps for Sun Protection While some exposure to sunlight indoors, no single step can fully Seek Shade can be enjoyable, too much can be protect you from overexposure to Seek shade when appropriate, remem- dangerous. Overexposure to ultraviolet UV radiation, so use as many of the bering that the sun’s UV rays are (UV) radiation in sunlight can result following actions as possible. strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in a painful sunburn. It can also lead Do Not Burn Use Extra Caution Near Water, to more serious health effects, includ- Overexposure to the sun is the most Snow, and Sand ing skin cancer, premature aging of preventable risk factor for skin cancer. the skin, and other skin problems; Water, snow, and sand reflect the cataracts and other eye damage; Avoid Sun Tanning and damaging rays of the sun, which can and immune system suppression. Tanning Beds increase your chance of sunburn. Children particularly need sun pro- UV rays from tanning beds and the Check the UV Index tection education, since unprotected sun cause skin cancer and wrinkling. The UV Index provides important exposure to the sun during youth puts If you want to look like you’ve been in information to help you plan your them at an increased lifetime risk for the sun, consider using a sunless self- outdoor activities in ways that skin cancer. tanning product, but continue to use prevent overexposure to the sun’s Be SunWise sunscreen with it. rays. Developed by the National Weather Service and EPA, the UV Most people are not aware that skin Generously Apply Sunscreen Index is issued daily nationwide. cancer, while largely preventable, is Generously apply sunscreen to all the most common form of cancer in exposed skin using a Sun Protection Get Vitamin D Safely the United States, with more than Factor (SPF) of at least 30 that Get Vitamin D safely through a diet 3.5 million cases diagnosed each year. provides broad-spectrum protection that includes vitamin supplements By following a number of simple from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and and foods fortified with Vitamin D. steps, you can still enjoy your time ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Reapply Don’t seek the sun. in the sun while protecting yourself every two hours, even on cloudy days, Early detection of melanoma can from overexposure. In cooperation and after swimming or sweating. save your life. Carefully examine all with a number of leading public Wear Protective Clothing of your skin once a month. A new or health organizations, the U.S. Wear protective clothing, such as changing spot should be evaluated. Environmental Protection Agency a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide- (EPA) is providing these action brimmed hat, and sunglasses, when steps to help you and your family possible. be “SunWise.” Other than staying 1 SW SUNWISDOM Use as Directed: Getting the Most Out of Sunscreen The U.S. Food and Drug UVA protection. Passing the broad sunscreen product. All sunscreens Administration (FDA) is the federal spectrum test shows that the product must be tested according to an SPF agency responsible for regulating provides UVA protection that is test procedure. The test measures the sunscreens. Effective June 18, proportional to its UVB protection. amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation 2012, FDA issued final regulations exposure it takes to cause sunburn Sunscreen products that pass the that established a standard test for when a person is using a sunscreen in broad spectrum test are allowed to be over-the-counter (sold without a comparison to how much UV exposure labeled as “Broad Spectrum.” These prescription) sunscreen products that it takes to cause sunburn when they “Broad Spectrum” sunscreens protect determine which products are allowed do not use a sunscreen. The product against both UVA and UVB rays. to be labeled as “Broad Spectrum.” is then labeled with the appropriate Scientific data demonstrated that FDA extended the compliance SPF value indicating the amount of products that are “Broad Spectrum dates for testing and labeling until sunburn protection provided by the SPF 15 [or higher]” have been shown December 17, 2012 for most over-the- product. Higher SPF values (up to 50) to reduce the risk of skin cancer and counter sunscreen products. provide greater sunburn protection. early skin aging when used with Because SPF values are determined Prior FDA rules on sunscreens dealt other sun protection measures, in from a test that measures protection almost exclusively with protection addition to helping prevent sunburn. against sunburn caused by ultraviolet against sunburn, which is primarily Other sun protection measures B (UVB) radiation, SPF values only caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) include limiting time in the sun and indicate a sunscreen’s UVB protection. radiation from the sun, and did not wearing protective clothing. However, sunscreens that pass the address ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, EPA follows the recommendation of new broad spectrum test will have which contributes to skin cancer and the National Council on Skin Cancer demonstrated that they also provide early skin aging. After reviewing Prevention in recommending the ultraviolet A (UVA) protection that is the latest science, FDA determined use of SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. proportional to their UVB protection. that sufficient data are available to The SPF value indicates the level of To pass the broad spectrum test, establish a “broad spectrum” test for sunburn protection provided by the sunscreens with higher SPF values determining a sunscreen product’s 2 SW SUNWISDOM will provide higher levels of UVA indicate the amount or magnitude • Water resistance claims. Water protection as well. Therefore, under of overall protection. Broad resistance claims on the front the new label requirements, a higher Spectrum SPF products with SPF label must indicate whether the SPF value for sunscreens labeled values higher than 15 provide sunscreen remains effective for “Broad Spectrum SPF [value]” will greater protection and may claim 40 minutes or 80 minutes while indicate a higher level of protection additional uses, as described in the swimming or sweating, based from both UVA and UVB radiation. next bullet. on standard testing. Sunscreens that are not water resistant must FDA advises the public to be aware • Use claims. Only Broad Spectrum include a direction instructing that no sunscreens are “waterproof” sunscreens with an SPF value of consumers to use a water resistant because all sunscreens eventually 15 or higher can claim to reduce sunscreen if swimming or sweating. wash off. Sunscreens can only be the risk of skin cancer and early labeled as “water resistant” if they skin aging if used as directed with • Drug Facts. All sunscreens must are tested according to the required other sun protection measures. include standard “Drug Facts” SPF test procedure. Sunscreens Non-Broad Spectrum sunscreens information on the back and/or side labeled “water resistant” will also and Broad Spectrum sunscreens of the container. be required to state whether the with an SPF value between 2 and Additional Resources sunscreen remains effective for 14 can only claim to help prevent www.fda.gov/downloads/ 40 minutes or 80 minutes when sunburn. forconsumers/consumerupdates/ swimming or sweating, and all • “Waterproof,” “sweatproof” ucm258718.pdf sunscreens will be required to provide or “sunblock” claims. directions on when to reapply. www.fda.gov/forconsumers/ Manufacturers cannot label consumerupdates/ucm258468. In summary, the final rule includes sunscreens as “waterproof” or htm#Q1_Why_is_FDA the following requirements: “sweatproof,” or identify their products as “sunblocks,” because • Broad Spectrum designation. these claims overstate their Sunscreens that pass FDA’s broad effectiveness. Sunscreens also spectrum test procedure, which cannot claim to provide sun measures a product’s ultraviolet protection for more than 2 hours A (UVA) protection relative to its without reapplication or to provide ultraviolet B (UVB) protection, protection immediately after may be labeled as “Broad application (for example— “instant Spectrum SPF [value]” on the protection”) without submitting front label. For Broad Spectrum data to support these claims and sunscreens, SPF values also obtaining FDA approval. 3 SW SUNWISDOM If used as directed with other sun protection measures, this product reduces the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, as well as helps prevent sunburn. Only products labeled with both “Broad Spectrum” AND SPF 15 or higher have been shown to provide all these benefits. Drug Facts Active Ingredients Purpose Avobenzone 3% Homosalate 10% Sunscreen Octyl methoxycinnamate 7.5% } Uses • helps prevent sunburn • if used as directed with other sun protection measures (see Directions), decreases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging caused by the sun Warnings For external use only Do not use on damaged or broken skin When using this product keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove. Stop use and ask a doctor if rash occurs Keep out of reach of children. If product is swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Directions • apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure X • reapply: X X • after 40 minutes of swimming or sweating • immediately after towel drying BROAD SPECTRUM • at leastBROAD every 2 hours SPECTRUM SPF 15 • Sun Protection Measures.SPF 10Spending time in the sun increases your risk SPF 30 of skin cancer and early skin aging. To decrease this risk, regularly use a sunscreen with