Summer “officially” started on Saturday, June 21 with the Summer Solstice which means it was the day with the most hours of sunlight during the whole year. Summer is a great time to enjoy all those extra hours of sunlight, but it’s important to remember to protect our skin from the sun’s rays.
Before you head outside to enjoy the extra sunlight, take a few minutes to learn the difference between UVA and UVB rays – and catch up on the FDA’s sunscreen-labeling regulations.
• A is for aging. UVA rays are always present when the sun is out, no matter how sunny (or overcast) the weather may be. They are used in tanning beds, and were once actually considered the “safe” rays. Now, though, we know that these powerful rays can penetrate clouds, glass (think car windows), and even some clothing – penetrating deep into the skin and damaging underlying cells. You can blame your sunspots, leathery skin, wrinkles, and other skin-aging ailments on UVA rays. Large doses can also contribute to cancer.• B is for burn. UVB rays cause sunburn and most skin cancers. Unlike UVA rays, the strength of UVB rays varies. They’re more prevalent in the summer, strongest at midday, and can even reflect off of water (including snow in the winter!).
While a sun-kissed tan may make you look younger (and healthier in certain cultures) for the short-term, facts are facts: every time you tan, you cause irreversible skin damage that you will notice in the long-run – whether it’s in the form of wrinkles, leathery skin, sunspots, or worse – skin cancer. It’s up to you to decide what’s more important – your skin’s appearance today, or your long-term health.
Many sunscreen products only protect against UVB (the sunburn rays), offering little or no protection against UVA rays. In addition, the labels on these products can be confusing (and even misleading), lulling us into a false sense of security with phrases like “instant protection” and “waterproof.” Thankfully, that’s all about to change.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified sunscreen-labeling guidelines to better explain the proper use of sunscreen. Learn the language now, and you’ll be ready to make smart choices when purchasing sunscreen all summer.
• If a sunscreen’s label declares that the product is “Broad Spectrum,” it means that the product provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays. A certain percentage of a broad-spectrum product’s total protection must protect against UVA.
• If the front of the package is labeled “Broad Spectrum” AND “SPF 15” (or higher), then the sunscreen can claim that it protects against all types of sun-induced skin damage.
• Any sunscreen NOT labeled as “Broad Spectrum” – or that has an SPF value between 2 and 14 – has only been tested to help prevent sunburn. These products do not protect against skin cancer or early skin aging.
• Water-resistance claims on the product’s front label must specify how long a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating. Two durations of time are permitted to be promoted on labels: 40 minutes and 80 minutes.
• Manufacturers can no longer make claims that sunscreens are “waterproof” or “sweat proof” … or identify their products as “sun blocks.”
• Sunscreens cannot claim that they provide “instant protection” – or protection for more than 2 hours without reapplication – unless they submit testing data and obtain approval from the FDA.
Read your sunscreen labels carefully and look for the words “Broad Spectrum” to make sure you are protecting against both UVA and UVB rays. You should also check for ingredients that protect against both types of harmful rays like zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, octocrylene, and avobenzone.
For more information, please contact Kim Miles, County Extension Agent – FCS at 325-646-0386 or kamiles@ag.tamu.edu.
