Sunburns are and can be extremely painful and most of us use some type of sunblock when outside for long periods of time, but some of these sunblocks may not be protecting you completely. Sunburn can lead to skin can, which is the most prevalent form of cancer in the US. In a recent study by the Environmental Working Group, they found that 1 in 8 name brand sunscreens do not protect you against UVA rays. These UVA rays have been linked to tanning, but now doctors know they can cause long term damage to the skin and even skin cancer. The SPF rating placed on sunscreens is only reflecting the lotion’s effectiveness in blocking UVB rays.
The US Food & Drug Administration is currently in the process of approving new regulations that would set new standards for labeling and testing sunscreens for UVA and UVB protection.
Sunburns in the US have been increasing, pure evidence that many people are not using proper sun protection when tanning or outside for long periods of time. A study by the US Centers for Disease Control found that sunburn rates have increased from 31.8% up to 33.7% from 1999-2004.
Dr. Martin Weinstock, a professor of dermatology at Brown University claims sunburn damage is the direct cause of skin cancer.
Most skin cancers form in older people, on parts of their bodies that have received more exposure to the sun or in people who have weak immune systems. The most deadly form of skin cancer is melanoma. Melanoma forms in the skin cells that make pigment melanin. The National Cancer Institute claims that where will be an estimated 62,480 new cases of melanoma in the US just in 2008. Out of these cases, over 8,000 deaths will be caused by this disease.
It has been said that “all-day protection” sunblocks cannot hold true to their word and you have to reapply these every few hours. The FDA has recommended new rules for sunscreens that would be based on a star rating system, from one to four. This system would essentially gauge the lotions effectiveness in blocking UVA rays. This rating system would be based on two tests; one test would measure the sunblocks ability to reduce the amount of UVA radiation passing through to your skin, and the second test would be to measure the sunscreens ability to prevent tanning and potential long term skin damage. Given the mandatory approval process, any new labeling on sunscreens featuring UVA ratings along with the current SPF rating will not appear on store shelves until 2009, at the earliest.
Until these new and mandatory labels hit the shelves, you need to protect yourself and be sure to thoroughly examine the products you use as well as your skin on a month basis. If you notice any sports, skin blemishes or moles, you may need to visit a dermatologist. Detecting skin abnormalities at an early stage is extremely important for the treatment of skin.
{ 0 comments… add one now }