The overwhelming number and variety of sunscreens available can make
choosing the right skin protection for your family a bit daunting. But the
right choices could be the difference between a healthy summer and a skin
cancer diagnosis.
According to the American Cancer
Society, an estimated 82,770 new cases of skin cancer (including 170,000 from
indoor tanning) will be diagnosed and more than 12,000 people will die from the
disease this year. Rates of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, have
been increasing for the past 30 years. (One in four melanoma survivors never
wears sunscreen.)
How Do I Pick the Right Sunscreen?
Last summer, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) changes the guidelines for sunscreen packaging to make it
easier for consumers to choose the most effective products. (Educate yourself
on which brands have been pulled from the marketplace.) For instance, companies
are no longer allowed to claim that their products have an SPF (sun protection
factor) of 100 because there’s no adequate test to support the claim.
Similarly, sunscreens with SPF higher than 50 are required to label the product
as “SPF 50+.”
But what should consumers consider when purchasing their next bottle of
sunscreen?
“Broad Spectrum” should be on the
list. This label means the product protects against both UVA and UVB rays. (UVB
rays cause sunburn; UVA rays penetrate deeper levels of the skin, causing
premature aging.)
SPF Rating is still important. 30 or
higher is recommended by most dermatologists.
Consider “water resistant” brands.
FDA guidelines allow manufacturers to use the term “water resistant” on
packaging, but the label must indicate if the sunscreen is effective for 40
minutes or 80 minutes while sweating or swimming. Choose options with the
higher number if you plan to be doing either of those activities.
Decide whether you want a lotion or a
spray. Lotion and spray sunscreens offer similar protection from the sun, but
sprays can be more convenient for squirming children. Apply sprays heavily to
the body until the product is dripping, then allow it to dry for best sun
protection.
Choosing the right sunscreen offers
little protection if it isn't used properly. It’s important to reapply
sunscreen often—at least every hour or two during regular sun exposure and
immediately after swimming or sweating. The average person should use one ounce
of sunscreen—enough to fill a shot glass—to cover their entire body. People
with darker skin should adhere to the same sunscreen recommendations as those with
fairer skin.
Sun Protection doesn't end with Sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen is just the first
step towards reducing your skin cancer risk. In order to minimize your risk of
melanoma and other deadly skin cancers the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention also recommends:
Seeking shade whenever possible,
especially between 10 am and 4 pm.
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Protecting eyes from UVA and UVB rays
with wrap-around sunglasses.
Avoiding indoor tanning. (Indoor
tanning causes 170,000 skin cancer cases annually.)
Staying out of the sun as much as
possible is the best sun protection!
