FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Donna Stein
(847) 330-0101,ext.341
E-mail: [email protected]
NEW SUNSCREEN AND TANNING FORMULATIONS: DO THEY
OFFER BETTER PROTECTION?
SAN FRANCISCO (March 23, 1997) - Sunscreens are being customized to meet
a variety of needs. The industry is continually coming out with new
products, 'improved' versions of old favorites and product extensions.
Significant improvements include less irritation and improved
substantivity.
Selecting a sunscreen has become a complicated decision.
Speaking today at the American Academy of Dermatology's 55th Annual
Meeting here today, Patricia Engasser, MD reported on "New Sunscreen and
Tanning Formulations: Do They Offer Better Protection?"
Dr. Engasser, Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Stanford Medical
School, Stanford, California, said, "The most important factor in
choosing sunscreen is its ability to protect the skin from both UVA and
UVB (ultraviolet light) that can contribute to premature wrinkling,
sunburn and skin cancer."
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that, regardless of skin
type, consumers should choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least
an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 and use it year round. Sunscreens
are rated or classified by an SPF that can range from 2 to 60. These
numbers refer to the product's ability to screen or block the sunburn
rays.
There are advantages and disadvantages to the ingredients that make up
different sunscreen formulations. Consumers need to understand these
differences before making a purchase.
Cinnamates (octyl methoxcinnamate and cinoxate) are one of the two
commonly used chemical UVB blockers that are added to cosmetics.
Benzophenones (oxybenzone and dioxybenzone) are a type of chemical UVA
blocker sometimes added to cosmetics. They are non-staining and used
widely in Europe. They do not bind with the skin. Benzophenones
(oxybenzone and dioxybenzone) are a type of chemical UVA blocker
sometimes added to makeup.
If a sunscreen user develops an allergy to a sunscreening chemical,
useful alternatives are the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide blocks.
Zinc oxide does not have Category I status at present. Micronized
titanium dioxide has become a useful 'new' ingredient. Research has
shown that these materials, which were once considered simple blockers,
absorb light in the ultraviolet range.
In September 1996 the FDA proposed adding Avonbenzone, a UVA screen to
the Category I approval list. Still unsettled is the method of testing
to be used for verifying UVA protection.Consumers should be aware that
SPF protection does not increase proportionally with a designated SPF
number. In higher SPFs such as 30, for example, 97% of sunburning rays
are absorbed, while an SPF of 15 indicated 93% absorption. However,
these are under ideal circumstances, and the consumer frequently does
not realize these values fully, because they do not apply a thick
enough, uniform film of sunscreen. The FDA's proposed capping of the
SPF at 30 remains controversial.
Typically there are one million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed in
the United States, including 40,300 new cases of melanoma projected for
1997. The AAD has made a commitment to promote new education
legislation at national and local levels to communicate safe sun
messages.
The American Academy of Dermatology is the world's largest organization
of dermatologists.
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