Did you know that some sunscreens protect only against the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and not its ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which also contribute to skin cancer? As summer approaches, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) makes it mandatory for sunscreen lotions to pass a broad spectrum test and label “broad spectrum” meaning that they offer protection against both UVB and UVA rays on the front of the product.
As per the new FDA regulations, sunscreens that are not broad spectrum or that lack an SPF of at least 15 must now carry a warning: “Skin Cancer/Skin Ageing Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin ageing. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin ageing.”
According to FDA, no sunscreen completely blocks UV radiation, and other protections are needed too. To make sure that sunscreens are safe, the FDA has taken steps on multiple fronts to protect consumers from the skin damage that can be caused by too much exposure to the sun. As per FDA’s new rules governing sunscreen labelling, one of the of the most important requirements will be testing and labelling that identifies sunscreens that are “broad spectrum,” meaning that they offer protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
All sunscreen products offer protection against UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburn. But both UVB and UVA rays contribute to sun-induced skin cancer and premature skin ageing. “Based on scientific studies, we have determined that broad spectrum sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 can help reduce the risk of sun-induced skin cancer and premature skin ageing when used with sun protective measures, as directed,” said Reynold Tan, Ph.D., a scientist in FDA.