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you are here: DentalPlans.com > Dental Health Articles > HealthnewsDigest.com > Sunscreens' The Truth Behind the Claims
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Updated: 6/28/2007 12:06:05 PM |
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Consumers assume they’re getting adequate protection against sunburn, skin cancer, and wrinkles when they opt for a high SPF sunscreen. But research indicates that consumers might be getting less than half the sunburn protection shown on labels because they don’t apply enough.
Moreover, Consumer Reports’ tests of 19 sunscreens found that some provide minimal protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation, which can cause skin cancer and wrinkles. UVA is not considered in the sun-protection factor (SPF), which refers to protection against UVB radiation, a different wavelength that can also cause skin cancer, plus sunburn. Consumer Reports also looked at eight sunscreens that claim to have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which absorb UVA, and had an outside lab test them for microscopic particles of those compounds. Whether such nanoparticles pose health risks is a subject of debate. CR recommends seven tips for preventing sunburn:
Use sunscreen but know its limits. Check the label for products that help protect against UVA and UVB rays, since both types can cause potentially cancerous changes in cells. Choose a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. Apply an ounce of sunscreen on all exposed skin a half-hour before sun exposure. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or heavy sweating. Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wear sunscreen on overcast days, too, since a substantial amount of the sun’s radiation penetrates clouds.
Wear the right clothing. Opt for tighly woven fabrics for better sun protection.
Shield your eyes. Wear a broad-rimmed hat and choose large-frame, wraparound sunglasses for maximum sun protection. Sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays may reduce the cumulative effect of UV damage linked to cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Don’t rely on shade. Just because you’re sitting under a leafy tree doesn’t mean you’re shielded from the damage of the sun’s UV rays.
Stay hydrated. Thirst can lag behind dehydration so in warm weather, drink before you become thirsty.
Recognize heat-stroke symptoms. Swelling of the hands and feet, fatigue, and prickly heat (a rash caused by blocked sweat pores) are signs that you need to cool off.
Check medication side effects. Certain drugs can increase sensitivity to sunlight, sometimes resulting in severe burns or other skin reactions. Examples include acne drugs, such as tretinoin (Renova, Retin-A); antibiotics, such as tetracycline (Sumycin) and ciprofloxacin (Cipro); and certain blood pressure drugs, such as chlorothiazide (Diuril) and hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril). Take protective steps if a medication you’re taking lists sun sensitivity as a side effect.
The report is available online at www.consumerreports.org/health
www.HealthNewsDigest.com
Read Original Article
© 2007 HealthnewsDigest.com
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