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Sunscreen Label Changes Improve Transparancy

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New Sunscreen Label ExampleConfusion about how much protection your sunscreen provides is widespread, but the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday took steps to make product labels more transparent in the information they provide starting in 2012.  There is much misunderstanding about what SPF really means and what rays do sunscreens really block.

The fact is that sunscreens don’t “block” the sun’s rays.   This is why the term “sunblock” will no longer be allowed on product labels under the new rules.  Additionally, the labeling of an SPF greater than 50 will not be allowed because there is no evidence of additional sun protection beyond SPF 50.  SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a measure of how much ultra-violet (UV) radiation is required to produce sunburn on protected skin versus unprotected skin.  The higher the number the greater the protection.

The myth about SPF is that it measures the time of sun exposure.  In fact it measures the amount of sun exposure which can vary due to time of day, latitude, altitude, skin type and so forth.  SPF only gives you a relative comparison of protection between products.

With the new labeling requirements, the F.D.A. hopes to clear up misconceptions like these among consumers.   Skin can be damaged by two types of solar rays, ultra-violet A (UVA) and ultra-violet B (UVB).  Some products can screen one type of ray but not the other.  Under the new rules, products that block both UVA and UVB rays will carry the designation “Broad Spectrum” along with the SPF rating number.  Products that are not Broad Spectrum, or are Broad Spectrum and have an SPF rating below 15 will be required to carry a warning “stating that the product has not been shown to help prevent skin cancer or early skin aging”.

In addition to eliminating the term “sunblock”, the terms “waterproof” and “sweat proof” will also be eliminated because they overstate the effectiveness of the product and no sunscreen on the market is waterproof.  The new rules allow for the term “Water Resistant” along with the number of minutes that the product has been tested to remain resistant to water and sweat exposure.

Ultimately, the F.D.A. is recommending the use of a Broad Spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 applied to exposed skin every 1 1/2 – 2 hours, in addition to wearing protective clothing, a wide brimmed hat, sun glasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection, and minimize direct sun exposure between 10am and 4pm.

Let’s also remember however that the body manufactures Vitamin D from sun exposure, so before you go overboard with the sunscreen, remember that a little sun exposure is also healthy too.

About

Paul Kulpinski is a licensed massage therapist, holistic wellness educator and co-founder of Mountain Waves Healing Arts in Flagstaff, Arizona. Information contained in this blog should not be taken as medical advice. Readers are advised to validate the information presented here with other sources including your personal physician for information specific to you.

Some Common Medications Can Increase Risk of Sunburn

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The skin is the largest organ of your body.  As such, it is affected by the stuff we put into our bodies and onto our skin. Previously, we’ve discussed how some sunblocks contain ingredients that breakdown in UV light (the spectrum that causes sunburns and skin cancers) and actually promote the skin burning.  However, not much is discussed about the foods that we eat or the medications we take and how they affect the skin.

The skin reacts to light primarally in two ways.  The first is called a photoallergic reaction where ingredients in a medication that has been injested react with the UV rays of sunlight and create a response in the body’s immune system – causing an allergic reation that appears in the skin as a rash, sunburn or hives.  This reaction usually begins after about 12-24 hours after exposure to sunlight.

The second reaction is called a phototoxic reaction.  In this situation, sunlight excites molecules in the drug itself which directly causes the skin to burn.  This reaction begins almost immediately when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

The body’s main protection to UV radiation from the sun is a pigment produced in the skin called melanin.  Melanin effectively blocks up to 99.9% of UV sunlight and dissipates it as heat.  This is way better than any sunscreen – and has no side effects when exposed to sunlight as some sunscreens do (see a previous post here).

This interests me in exploring ways to increase the body’s ability to produce more melanin, a process called melongenesis.   The skin produces melinin out of an amino acid called tyrosine.   Tyrosine can be found in high protein foods like fish, chicken, milk, cheese, yogurt.  Also, whole grains of wheat and oat, fruits of avacado and bananna are good dietary sources of tyrosine.  Finally, almonds, lima beans, sesame and pumpkin seeds contain tyrosine as well.   I’m wondering if boosting dietary tyrosine, especially during summer (sunbathing months) can help protect our skin with its natural production of melanin.

Here are some links:

List of medicines that create photosensitivity

List of foods that promote melanin production

About

Paul Kulpinski is a licensed massage therapist, holistic wellness educator and co-founder of Mountain Waves Healing Arts in Flagstaff, Arizona. Information contained in this blog should not be taken as medical advice. Readers are advised to validate the information presented here with other sources including your personal physician for information specific to you.