Sunscreen labels to get a makeover
Sunscreen labels tell you how much SPF you are getting, but it doesn’t tell you how much protection you are getting from ultraviolet-A rays, the ones linked to cancer and wrinkles.
Most sunscreen labels indicate “broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection,” but the familiar SPF ranking only shows how much sunburn causing ultraviolet-B protection a consumer is getting.
The Food and Drug Administration will introduce new labeling rules in October to ensure that consumers know exactly what kind of protection a particular sunscreen will give.
Although the SPF rankings give guideline on how long people can stay out before getting sunburn, there is not a standard test to check protection from ultraviolet-A rays.
The new federal regulation this fall will require a standard testing protocol and a proposed four-star UVA rating system for all sunscreens. The UVA protection will be leveled as “low,” “medium,” “high,” or “highest,” with a star representing low UVA protection, and four the highest protection.
The American Academy of Dermatology spokesman James Spencer recommends everyone to use sunscreen regardless of the problematic labeling system for sunscreens in the market today. During the summer beach season, shoot for a sunscreen with broad spectrum protection with at least an SPF 30.
“Sunscreen is the best you can do for now, and we’re working on better,” he says.