Dallas County Living Well Magazine Summer 2014 | Page 44

Sunscreen
Guide 2014

By Dr. Flora Kim

S

kin cancer is caused primarily by unprotected exposure to the sun,
meaning it’s often preventable with sunscreen and clothing which
protect the skin from too much exposure to the sun. Although sunscreen is readily available, skin cancer rates continue to climb.
Why?
Until recently, there were no real standards for how sunscreen manufacturers labeled their products. Experts are hopeful that new labeling guidelines by
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will help reduce the incidents of skin
cancer in the U.S.
Cooper Clinic Preventive and Cosmetic Dermatologist Flora Kim, MD, FAAD,
explains the new FDA guidelines and how to properly use sunscreen to reduce
risk of skin cancer.

New FDA Guidelines
New FDA guidelines are intended to make it easier for consumers to know how
much protection a particular sunscreen does or does not provide. The use of the
label “broad spectrum protection” means the sunscreen has been proven to protect against both UVA and UVB rays (although UVA protection might me weaker
than UVB protection). In the past, a sunscreen could be labeled as “broad spectrum” even if it only protected against UVB rays.
When it comes to SPF, any sunscreen lower than SPF 15 must be clearly labeled that it will not protect against skin cancer, but will only prevent sunburn.
Sunscreen with an SPF over 15 that is labeled as “broad spectrum” can be labeled as preventing sunburn, skin cancer and aging due to the sun.
Any sunscreen over SPF 50 will now be labeled as SPF 50+, as there is speculation that an SPF higher than 50 is not actually more effective. Additionally,
people may be more likely to apply sunscreen with an SPF over 50 less frequent-

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North Dallas Living Well Magazine • Summer 2014