Dangerous Product Burning Consumers For Years. Will the FDA’s New Sunscreen Rules Give Us Enough Protection?

The FDA has traditionally only required sunscreens to protect against sunburn.  Until now, products could claim broad-spectrum protection without any basis for it. Maybe you wouldn’t leave the beach looking like a tomato, but your sunscreen may not have been shielding you from subtle damages caused by Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays.

For the first time in 33 years, new rules will require sunscreens to protect against ultraviolet B rays—which cause sunscreen, and not ultraviolet A rays—which cause skin cancer and wrinkles—to carry a warning label.  The new regulations, effective next year, will force companies to improve the accuracy of their sunscreen protection claims.

Here are highlights of the new rules: 

The claim “broad spectrum” will appear only on sunscreens tested for a minimum standard of UVA protection.

All sunscreens will carry their SPF rating. Those without the broad-spectrum claim, SPF will rate only UVB protection.  Higher SPF numbers mean more protection against UVB as well as more protection against UVA.  Warning labels will read: "Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging."

Sunscreens will have a “fact box” listing warnings and other important information in an easy-to-find location.

Manufacturers cannot make claims that sunscreens are "waterproof" or "sweatproof," or identify their products as a "sun block." Water resistance claims on the product's front label must tell how much time a user can expect to get the declared SPF level of protection while swimming or sweating, based on standard testing. Sunscreens that claim to be water resistant must show how long they last after a person has been swimming or sweating: 40 minutes or 80 minutes.  It must be noted in the “fact box” if they are not water resistant.

SPF values higher than 50 will be labeled as "SPF 50+." FDA does not have adequate data demonstrating that products with SPF values higher than 50 provide additional protection compared to products with SPF values of 50.

The new requirements will be effective by summer 2012, although some sunscreen makers will launch their new labels sooner.  What does this mean for your summer in the sun this year?  Experts say that although the inconsistency is the UVA protection, the SPF tests should be accurate.  Since some protection is better than none, they do not suggest throwing out your sunscreen or staying indoors all summer long.

Here are three simple ways to protect your skin from damaging sun exposure:

• Use sunscreen regularly and re-apply every two hours.
• Avoid the midday sun, when rays are the strongest.
• Wear a hat to shade your face and neck.

You may also check out “Screen Test,” to learn what to look for in your sunscreen and how to apply it for best results.

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