Is it already springtime?
Colorful tulip displays and fresh air compel the little ones to tear through
the doors and soak up the sunshine. With warm weather here the playground is
teaming with excited children who can’t wait to go exploring. And that’s why
it’s so important that everyone remembers to wear their sunscreen everyday.
Whether you live in Philadelphia, St. Louis or San
Bernardino, the spring and summer months prompt all of us to slather on the
sunscreen and reapply it every two hours. While you already know the two hour
rule, now it’s part of the new FDA June 2012 sunscreen guidelines that will
become effective June 18, 2012.
New FDA standards do more than protect the consumers’
skin— they protect consumers from slippery advertising claims that may not hold
much truth, according to David Erickson, president of Rocky Mountain Sunscreen.
“We have waited a long time and
are glad
to see these changes coming from the FDA. It clarifies and substantiates the
safety of today’s sunscreen ingredients and eliminates a lot of false marketing
claims that had no formal FDA testing criteria,” Erickson says.
Banned marketing terms include: All day protection,
instant protection, waterproof, sweatproof, and
sunblock. New FDA guidelines have ultimately redefined sunscreen. Take Broad
Spectrum sunscreen, which is a classification reserved for products that
protect skin from both UVA and UVB rays. Under new FDA guidelines, sunscreens
labeled as Broad Spectrum and with at least 15 SPF may advertise that when used
as directed, along with additional sun protection, (hats, sunglasses and/or
long sleeves) it may help prevent premature aging and minimize skin cancer
risks.
Non-broad spectrum sunscreens or the broad spectrum
products with less than 15 SPF must place a warning on the label that says:
“The product has not been shown to help prevent skin cancer or early skin
aging,” according to an FDA press release.
New regulations and testing helps consumers weed out
inferior products, says Erickson. Not all sunscreens will meet the FDA
guidelines needed for the Broad Spectrum category, for example. That’s their
choice. But which product would you rather have on your skin? Want one with a
full range of protection (UVA and UVB rays) or one that only protects skin
partially? Products that meet FDA standards for Broad Spectrum and use high
quality ingredients will simply offer better protection when you’re having fun
on the golf course, on the playground or in the sand, says Erickson.
Need a little proof? Now the FDA requires sunscreen
manufacturers to put products to the test—literally.
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm258416.htm
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To make it a little easier for you to sift through the new FDA
guidelines, Rocky Mountain Sunscreen has summarized some
of the key points you might want to consider before placing sunscreen renewal
orders.
1.
Broad Spectrum Sunscreen—signifies that products protect the skin from both UVA
and UVB rays. Sunscreens must go through rigorous testing standards that meet
FDA regulations.
2. Water Resistant Formulas—must now specify the protection factor in terms of
minutes. Watch for Water Resistant
40 minutes and
80 minutes, among the different sunscreen varieties on the market.
3. Drug Facts Box—now
listed on all products with SPF 15
and greater
4. Prohibited
Marketing Claims—All
day
protection, Waterproof, sweatproof, sunblock and
instant protection.
5. UVB-SPF Connection—SPF values protect skin from UVB rays which cause
sunburn.
6. Sunscreen—your best defense against wrinkles and skin cancer--Sunscreen manufacturers who meet FDA standards
(products with both Broad Spectrum and SPF 15) can use the following FDA
approved statement, “When used as directed, this
sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer and early
skin aging.”
7. Combined with other sun protection, sunscreen saves lives—Always wear hats, sunglasses
and sun safety clothing with outside activities.
Information
provided courtesy of Rocky Mountain Sunscreen.Rocky
Mountain Sunscreen manufactures skin care products such as broad spectrum and
water resistant sunscreens, lip balms and insect repellants. To ensure our
products exceed the new FDA standards, company President David Erickson, says
they’ve manufactured broad spectrum sunscreen with 400 nanometers of UVA
protection.
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