Sunscreens are Updated by the FDA

Sunscreen Updates: The FDA Releases New Standards in the Sunscreen Market

Our patients are increasingly aware of the importance of maintaining protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery of Scottsdale, Arizona is in the heart the sunshine state. We enjoy truly sun-filled days most of our year and need to consider the damaging effects of our outdoor activities. Certainly our patients’ number one defense to limit aging of the skin, improve elasticity, and delay the aging process is good protection.

We routinely recommend very active use of sunscreens after all surgery of the face including rhinoplasty facial lasers, facial resurfacing, facelifts, eyelid lifts, and forehead and brow lifts. This makes a great deal of sense when you consider the age related changes of the sun’s rays.

The Food and Drug Administration oversees all of the regulation for commercial over-the-counter and prescriptive sunscreens. The agency has recently altered the labeling guidelines. Some of the highlights are:

• Broad spectrum sunscreens remain our most important ally in the battle against wrinkling, pigmentation changes and skin cancers. All agents that are effective against both UVA and UVB will clearly designate “broad spectrum” on the labeling.
• No agents may be labeled as waterproof or sweat proof. Remember that the most effective use of sunscreens requires frequent reapplication every 60 to 90 minutes. Agents may claim to be water resistant and will define effectiveness.
• No agents may be listed as a “sunblock” as no agents are able to completely block the suns harmful rays.
• No agents will be allowed to claim more than an SPF of 50+. There is no data that agents that previously made claims of greater than this value offered any additional benefit.
• No agents may claim immediate protection and may not claim to be effective more than two hours.

Give us a call if you have any additional questions on this confusing topic. We are always happy to help. You can also email Dr. Hobgood at [email protected]