The Food and Drug Administration
is unveiling new guidelines to standardize sunscreen labels and to make it
easier for consumers to know just how much sun protection they are getting.
With all the different sunscreen labels and claims, James Flamedorf is relieved help is on the way.
"It can be confusing with all the brands out three and they come out with new varieties and forms of it," he said.
The FDA is now requiring manufacturers to test for both types of ultraviolet rays, UV-A rays which can lead to cancer and UV-B that cause sunburn.
"You need broad spectrum UV-A and UV-B protection that will protect you against aging as well as skin cancer," explained Dr. Ellen Marmur, Chief of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center.
Sunscreens that are not broad spectrum and do not protect against both rays and those that have an SPF under 15 will have to carry new warning labels that say:
"This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging."
When it comes to SPF numbers that seem to get higher every year, the FDA wants to cap them at 50, unless a manufacturer can prove their product offers more protection.
The government is also banning what it calls exaggerated marketing claims like waterproof and sweatproof. Products can only use the term water resistant.
And you won't see the word sunblock used anymore.
"Because we don't want to give the false impression that complete sun protecting is provided," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation for the FDA.
Flamendorf who has fair skin and a family history of skin cancer says the changes will be a huge help the next time he's looking for sunscreen.
"They helped consumers make a more informed choice and done something to protect us."
Manufacturers have until next summer to comply, although many are expected to make the changes sooner.
Last year about 68 thousand people in the the U.S. were diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadliest form of skin cancer.
With all the different sunscreen labels and claims, James Flamedorf is relieved help is on the way.
"It can be confusing with all the brands out three and they come out with new varieties and forms of it," he said.
The FDA is now requiring manufacturers to test for both types of ultraviolet rays, UV-A rays which can lead to cancer and UV-B that cause sunburn.
"You need broad spectrum UV-A and UV-B protection that will protect you against aging as well as skin cancer," explained Dr. Ellen Marmur, Chief of Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Medical Center.
Sunscreens that are not broad spectrum and do not protect against both rays and those that have an SPF under 15 will have to carry new warning labels that say:
"This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging."
When it comes to SPF numbers that seem to get higher every year, the FDA wants to cap them at 50, unless a manufacturer can prove their product offers more protection.
The government is also banning what it calls exaggerated marketing claims like waterproof and sweatproof. Products can only use the term water resistant.
And you won't see the word sunblock used anymore.
"Because we don't want to give the false impression that complete sun protecting is provided," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation for the FDA.
Flamendorf who has fair skin and a family history of skin cancer says the changes will be a huge help the next time he's looking for sunscreen.
"They helped consumers make a more informed choice and done something to protect us."
Manufacturers have until next summer to comply, although many are expected to make the changes sooner.
Last year about 68 thousand people in the the U.S. were diagnosed with melanoma, the most deadliest form of skin cancer.
