Slathering on the Sunscreen
You're slathering on sunscreen by the gallon this summer. Does it really do anything for you?
Yes, but it could be doing more.
Not all sunscreen protects against skin cancer, but you won't find that information on the bottle. And when you're not wearing the right sunscreen, the risks are huge.
The Food and Drug Administration will tighten its sunscreen regulations next summer, to make that information clearer to the consumer.
What can a person do to combat the slick marketing and pseudo-science claims that draw on Americans' skin cancer fear?
Shop the shelves with this sunscreen checklist:
1. Buy "broad spectrum" sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection
UVA rays go deeper into the skin than UVB rays. UVA rays can suppress a person's immune system. "The immune system helps us fight cancer cells," said Dr. Arielle Kauvar, spokesperson for The Skin Cancer Foundation. With time in the sun, "you can increase your risk of cancers."
UVA also causes skin aging. Sun-damaged skin can look "more similar to leather than skin" Kauvar said.
In the past, the FDA regulated how well sunscreens protected against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. The FDA can now test how well a sunscreen protects against UVA rays.
2. Check the label
You will find a combination of these ingredients in sunscreens that protect against UVA and UVB sun rays.
Shorter wavelength UVA: benzophenones, like oxybenzone and sulisobenzone
UVA: avobenzone (Pasol 1789), ecamsule (Mexoryl™), titanium dioxide or zinc oxide
UVB: PABA derivatives, salicylates, or cinnamates, such as octylmethoxycinnamate and cinoxate
3. Get 30 SPF (at least)
Sunscreens with less than SPF 15 will not protect against sunburn. Since most people put on around half the amount of sunscreen recommended, with SPF 30, you're still protected from burns.
4. Buy water-resistant
The not-so-fun part of protecting your skin: reapplying the sunscreen. If you plan on using sunscreen to swim, buy a product that will stay on in the water. Water-resistant sunscreen will keep you protected when you sweat or swim. With the new FDA regulations, the product will be labeled if the protection lasts up to either 40 minutes or 80 minutes in the water.
With the new FDA regulations, sunscreen marketers cannot label sunscreen "sweatproof" or "waterproof." Unfortunately, no sunscreen will protect more than two hours, even if it is water-resistant.
5. Smear on enough
You need to cover your body with at least a shot glass (1 oz.) full before heading outside. For a long day in the sun, a person who applies the correct amount of sunscreen will use about half of an 8 ounce bottle, according to the The Skin Cancer Foundation.
Finally, know that sunscreen isn't a magic potion. Sunscreen is just one step to protecting yourself and your family against skin damage. Stay out of the sun when its rays are strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sit in the shade, and wear a hat and clothes that cover the skin.
Read a list of sunscreens recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 107° | Death Valley, CA |
| Low | 28° | Daniel, WY |
| Precip | 3.25" | Buffalo, MN |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
Oklahoma (1940)
Hail fell to depths of 6-8 inches near Ada. Hail drifted to 5 feet in places with the help of rain runoff.
Northern Texas (1986)
Severe thunderstorms produced 95-mph wind gusts and widespread damage. More than 3 inches of rain fell in less than an hour. A 29-year-old woman and her 6-year-old daughter drowned in their car which was found submerged in an underpass.
Rough Weather
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