Now that the summer arrives and the moments of outdoor leisure multiply, it is worth remembering that it is necessary to use a suitable protective cream to protect from solar radiation. And pay attention, because sunscreens are not waterproof, as many say on its label.
We can think that a sunscreen qualified as “water resistant” would protect us after (and during) the baths in the pool or in the sea, which could not replace the cream, one of the precautions when going to the beach .
But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just published new regulations on the sale of sunscreen filters in that country. These are significant changes that will help consumers decide how to buy and use a sunscreen, and will allow them to protect themselves more effectively against sun damage.
From next year it will be prohibited in the United States to present the phrases “waterproof” or “sweat proof” on the labeling, because, according to the FDA, they are false. These measures that have reached international diffusion will soon be contemplated in other countries if they continue to prove effective.
Photoprotectors smaller than factor 15 do not protect
Most products usually state that "they help prevent skin burns and premature aging" or "they help reduce the risks of skin cancer." The new FDA regulations indicate that as of now only sunscreens that offer a sun protection factor of 15 or more They may submit those statements.
This means that factors under 15 would not be effective in protecting us from the harmful effects of solar radiation. Especially in young and light-skinned children, the factors must be high.
Another novelty is that only those creams that demonstrate both protection against UVB and UVA will be able to claim that they offer "broad spectrum" protection.
Photoprotectors greater than factor 50 no longer protect
The FDA is currently considering whether or not to allow the sale of products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 70, 80 or 100, because studies have shown that these lotions offer no more protection than those with an SPF of 50. But the fact of carrying that greater numbering can confuse the consumer.
The proposed new measures will help consumers make informed decisions about how to buy and use sunscreens and take other measures to protect their skin. The experts in the health of the skin indicate that the proposals will be beneficial in the face of a better and greater protection of the skin of the people.
In short, as sunscreens are not waterproof, we must try to replace them after the baths, especially if we are in the central hours of the day. But the best would undoubtedly be to avoid those central hours in the sun to avoid other risks associated with high temperatures and the sun.
