Healthwise - Summer 2012 - (Page 5)

Sunscreen Sense A trip to the sunscreen section of your local drugstore can leave you reeling from abbreviation overload. UVA? UVB? What happened to plain old SPF? “The new ratings and terminology can be a little confusing, but it means you get more information about effective skin protection,” says Lisa A. Goldstein, M.D., St. Claire Regional family medicine provider. “The old SPF [sun protection factor] didn’t give us the whole picture. The testing only measured protection against UVB rays. Today, we know that there are two kinds of harmful ultraviolet rays: UVA, which are used in tanning beds and cause premature aging of the skin, and UVB, which cause sunburns. Both play a role in the development of skin cancer.” We shed light on the latest label lingo Better Protection Last year, the Food and Drug Administration announced new guidelines for the marketing of over-the-counter products containing sunscreen beginning this summer. “The FDA is requiring companies to be more accountable and transparent in the marketing of their products,” Goldstein says. And that’s good news for consumers. Products now have to undergo successful testing to claim they offer “broad-spectrum sun protection” (protection against both UVA and UVB rays), and will be allowed to state they help reduce the risk of cancer and early skin aging only if they contain SPF 15 or higher. “They also have to include water-resistance times [how long the product should last during swimming or sweating] as well as be more conservative in the product’s claims,” Goldstein says. “For example, companies are no longer allowed to call their products waterproof, sweatproof or sunblock, which overstates their effectiveness.” 1 © Creatas © Creatas Stay Safe in the Sun Protect your skin this summer with tips from Lisa A. Goldstein, M.D., St. Claire Regional family medicine provider. Cover up. Even when it’s hot, lightweight, breathable clothing can keep you cool and your skin safe. Wear a hat. Choose one that shields your head and shoulders from the sun. Apply sunscreen correctly. “Use about 2 tablespoons, and apply 20 to 30 minutes prior to going outdoors,” Goldstein says. “I recommend SPF 30 or higher.” Limit exposure. “Seek the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are strongest,” Goldstein says. WHAT’S THE UV INDEX IN YOUR AREA? Download the UV Index smartphone app at epa.gov/enviro/mobile to get a daily UV radiation forecast for your city. FOLLOW the Skin Cancer Foundation on Twitter at twitter.com/skincancerorg for sun-safety tips 5 http://www.epa.gov/enviro/mobile http://www.twitter.com/skincancerorg

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthwise - Summer 2012

Healthwise - Summer 2012
Could You Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Sort Through Sunscreen Claims
The After60 Plan

Healthwise - Summer 2012