Sjoggies and Sunscreen and the FDA

From the US Food and Drug Administration press release on June 14th, 2011:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that sunscreen products meeting modern standards for effectiveness may be labeled with new information to help consumers find products that, when used with other sun protection measures, reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, as well as help prevent sunburn. 

The final regulation allows sunscreen products that pass the FDA’s test for protection against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to be labeled as “Broad Spectrum.” Both UVB and UVA radiation contribute to sunburn, skin cancer, and premature skin aging. Sunburn is primarily caused by UVB radiation. 

Under the new labeling, sunscreens labeled as both Broad Spectrum and SPF 15 (or higher), if used regularly, as directed, and in combination with other sun protection measures will help prevent sunburn, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and reduce the risk of early skin aging.

You can read the entire press release here, on the USFDA site. The FDA has also created a YouTube video that explains more about these changes in sunscreen labels.



This information is of particular interest for sjoggies since it's so important for us to minimize our exposure to UVA and UVB rays. You can read more about sunscreen safety here, here, and here.

If you need to refresh your memory as to why those of us with autoimmune diseases need to be extra sun-vigilant, you can read my previous post, entitled Summertime Sjogren's, here.