Radio Shows | New Rules Make Sunscreens Better | mp3 … wma … wav
Despite your efforts to wear sunscreen for the last twenty years - it didn't protect you like you thought. You can blame it on regulations that are… well, a couple decades behind.
When you bought sunscreens you saw an SPF rating for a sun protective factor. But that's a misnomer because it only dealt with UV-B rays which causes sunburns but not UV-A rays that cause deep tissue damage. Both can lead to skin cancer.
Though the tanning industry would lead you to believe UV-A rays are safe, they are not! They increase your risk for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. That's why the US Food and Drug Administration finally released new regulations for sunscreens that include UV-A rays.
In addition to the SPF rating for UV-B protection, sunscreen manufacturers must provide a four star rating for UV-A protection. One star for low and four stars for the highest level of protection.
These ratings should be prominent on the label and companies unsure of their products' UV-A protection must state No UV-A Protection. The regulations also require that sunscreens claiming water resistance need to say how many minutes the sunscreen will last after the user starts swimming or sweating.
No sunscreen product eliminates the risk from UV exposure; therefore additional warnings will suggest it's important to limit your time in the sun.
Unfortunately, while the FDA intended to draft sunscreen regulations back in 1978, it took twenty years to implement rules for UV-B and another decade to include UV-A. Those requirements will take effect in 2009.
But you can start now by using sunscreens that offer both protections.
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