Sunscreen SPF update for summer, 2011
Skin cancer and skin damage: summer health alert.
The F.D.A. announced that it was re-examining the safety of the roughly 17 sunscreen agents approved for use in the United States, although it has no information to suggest that they are not safe. Tuesday's announcement will do nothing to speed the approval of more sunscreen agents. There are roughly 28 such agents approved in Europe and 40 in Japan, and some in the industry complain that the best ingredients have yet to reach American shores.
Claims that sunscreen is sweatproof or waterproof are universally false and not allowed.
Dr. Warwick L. Morison, a professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins University and chairman of the photobiology committee for the Skin Cancer Foundation, said he was disappointed that the F.D.A. failed to ban SPF numbers higher than 50 because such products expose people to more irritating sunscreen ingredients without meaningful added protection.
"It's pointless," Dr. Morison said.
Instead, just re-apply SPF 50 sunscreen every 30 minutes.
Previously:
SCIENCE
F.D.A. Unveils New Rules About Sunscreen Claims
By GARDINER HARRIS
Published: June 14, 2011
Terms like "sunblock," "waterproof" and "sweatproof" will be banned since they imply a false level of protection.