Gregory Chandler--Sunscreens: The New Standards

Mid-Summer is here.  There is still a need to protect against sun damage.  

New FDA regulations require sunscreen manufactures to prove their products protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. 

Of the two, exposure to excessive amounts of UVA is more harmful to the skin. UVA rays can pass through clothing and penetrate more deeply into the skin.  The result is a greater
risk of skin cancer and sun-related aging.  UVB radiation is more responsible for sunburn. 

Prior to the new FDA regulations, some products had little UVA protections.  The result is that sunscreen uses were staying in the sun longer and risking UVA exposure because they were not
getting burned due to UVB protection. 

Sunscreen products that pass the new standards can claim
"broad spectrum status" and protection against skin cancer and
sun-related aging.  Sunscreens also may claim to be water-resistant, not waterproof, for 40 minutes to 80 minutes. 


GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law