| Have you noticed recently how the standard SPF's | | | | but research now shows that this is not the case. |
| ranging from 15-30 have now catapulted into the | | | | UVA rays (long wave rays) are more prevalent and |
| stratosphere? I could not help but notice recently | | | | account for approximately 95% of the UVA rays |
| how many companies have jumped on the "more is | | | | reaching the earth's surface. UVA rays can cause |
| better," band wagon by offering sun blocks and | | | | both cellular and DNA damage and are responsible for |
| sunscreens with SPF's as high as 100. Do these higher | | | | premature aging such as deep lines and wrinkles. |
| SPF's really give us better protection, or are they | | | | If you ask some dermatologists they will tell you that |
| just a marketing ploy to get us to buy more | | | | while higher SPF's such as 50+ may offer some type |
| products? | | | | of safety margin (primarily because most people do |
| Brands such as Neutrogena and Coppertone are now | | | | not apply enough product), they also have some |
| offering SPF's in the range of 50-100 in addition to | | | | significant drawbacks. |
| the standard offerings such as an SPF 15-30. | | | | Some experts such as Steven Wang, M.D., at |
| The question is, "Are super high SPF's actually giving | | | | Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, |
| us more protection, or are they just a marketing | | | | believe that high SPF's such as SPF 50-100 may give |
| ploy?" First, I would like to briefly discuss what the | | | | the wrong message about appropriate sun protection |
| term SPF means and to distinguish the difference | | | | strategies. While many may believe that a sun block |
| between "physical" and "chemical" sunscreens and or | | | | may be the first line of defense, according to most |
| sun blocks. | | | | public health organizations, the first step would be |
| SPF refers to sun protection factor. It basically | | | | avoiding the sun, seeking shade, wearing protective |
| determines how long you can stay in the sun without | | | | clothing such as hats, and then using an effective |
| burning. It is primarily based on the idea that if a | | | | sunscreen or sun block. Relying solely on a sunscreen |
| person normally burns (without sun screen) after 15 | | | | with a high SPF can lead to a false sense of security; |
| minutes, then an SPF 15 would give you 225 minutes | | | | people may think they can stay out in the sun for |
| of protection (15 X 15). However, since many | | | | long periods of time without burning. |
| consumers actually only apply a fraction of the | | | | Another drawback of high SPF's is that they may |
| amount that was used in the "testing" environment | | | | result in uneven protection providing high UVB, but |
| (approximately 1/3), in reality an SPF 15 may only | | | | inadequate UVA protection. The European |
| translate into an SPF 5. SPF calculations are only | | | | Commission recommends that all sun block or |
| approximate because they don't take into account | | | | sunscreen products have a UVA/UVB protection ratio |
| other situations such as time of day (the sun is | | | | of 1:3. According to many experts, the best UVA |
| strongest between 10:00AM and 4:00PM). | | | | protection offered in a "chemical" sunscreen is |
| Sun blocks also known as physical sunscreens, most | | | | Avobenzone, but it must be stabilized with other |
| typically contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which | | | | "acitves" such as Octrocrylene. |
| physically block ultraviolet radiation (UVR). These | | | | Dr. Wang also believes that U.S. companies still don't |
| products are considered to be broad spectrum and | | | | have the "active" ingredients (those that offer sun |
| protect against both ultra violet (UVA) rays, and ultra | | | | protection) necessary for sunscreens at very high |
| violet B or burning rays. Sun blocks work by | | | | SPF levels. Tinosorb, which boosts UVA protection, is |
| deflecting the sun off of your skin, while "chemical" | | | | still not approved by the FDA. |
| sunscreens reduce or minimize the amount of ultra | | | | Another concern is that super high SPF's may |
| violet radiation that is absorbed by your skin (to | | | | discourage companies from looking at alternative |
| varying degrees). While in the process of review, the | | | | ways of improving sun protection, such as developing |
| FDA has not yet determined an SPF rating system | | | | strategies for better distribution of protection from |
| for UVA rays. However, in their most recent | | | | both UVA and UVB and enhanced photosensitivity. |
| monograph, they recommend limiting SPF's to 50. | | | | So, what should you do when purchasing a sun block |
| According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, both UVB | | | | or sunscreen? Based on the evidence, it appears that |
| and UVA can both cause skin cancer. In fact, it was | | | | purchasing a product between SPF 15-50 would be |
| once thought that only UVB rays could cause cancer, | | | | more than adequate. |