With summer in full swing, sunscreen talk has been on the rise. It seems that as the temperature grows, the summer skin care frenzy does, too. Finally, it appears that people are placing much importance on the issues of sun exposure, skin cancer, and the importance of sunscreen to prevent both. Apparently, the FDA has also decided to step up their sun protection enforcement.
Beginning next summer, sunscreens advertised as “broad spectrum” will hit the market, making it easier for consumers to ensure that they are receiving full and proper protection from harmful sun rays. While …
… further protection can only fight sunburn and not skin cancer, broad spectrum formulas fight not only ultraviolet B rays, which cause sunburn, but also the more harmful A rays linked to skin cancer.
All of these changes will make it so much easier to fully protect your skin. According to the FDA, SPF 15 is still the minimum for acceptable sunscreen strength, along, of course, with the “broad spectrum” label. Also starting next year, any sunscreen that does not fit the criteria for proper protection (as in it doesn’t give broad spectrum protection or is under SPF 15) will need to contain a warning label, warning that the product helps to protect only against sun burn, and not skin cancer.
The FDA will also be creating a few other sunscreen regulations. No more “exaggerated” marketing claims such as waterproof or sweat proof will be allowed, sunscreen SPF will be capped at 50, unless the company can prove it to be stronger, and a 4 star system to rate UVA protection will need to be phased out by manufacturers.
It’s nice to see that the FDA is working even harder to fight sun-related skin cancer. New, easier-to-read labels should definitely help people use the best possible protection against the sun.
I like this.
Legislating truth in advertising is always a good thing.