Sunblocks May Protect Skin Against UVA Rays
Tanning Damages Skin Health but SPF is Only About UVB Screens
Jan 12, 2009
Since SPF ratings in sun-protective skin preparations pertains to UVB protection only, it’s important to know more in order to protect yourself from skin cancer and other skin issues like premature aging, dry skin and discoloration. The whole story of safety for skin has to consider both UV-A and UV-B rays, according to American Cancer Society literature.
In a recent interview with Suite101 writer Maryan Pelland, a busy dermatologist from Biloxi, smack in the middle of the sun filled U.S. Mississippi Gulf Coast, offered some suggestions for protecting the skin from damage caused by harmful UV-A rays. Dr. Jacqueline Sasaki reminds consumers that there’s a lot of information out there, not all correct.
Whether skin is tanned by a tanning bed or natural sunlight, there are heavy tolls taken on health, including the incidence of almost all skin cancers.
The United States Federal government is moving toward a adopting a universal indicator, similar to SPF, to describe protections against UVA rays, too, and other countries may follow suit.
Dr. Jacqueline Sasaki of The Dermatology Clinic in Gulfport, MS, where abundant sunlight is a lifelong problem, says several commercial preparations may protect against both UVA and UVB light. These are some of the preparations she knows of that look promising and her office’s comments on them. Most can be obtained at a pharmacy or shopped online. All dermatologist will tell patients that users must always read labels and follow manufacturers’ or physicians’ instructions and advice.
- There are traditional physical UVA ray blockers like white zinc oxide at 9%, titanium dioxide above 8%, or azobenzone at 3% or higher. All, at those levels, require a doctor’s prescription.
- Helioplex, made by the Neutrogena Company http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Health/story?id=1983169&page=1 contains the known photo stabilizer azobezone as does Active Barrier Complex by Aveno. L’Oreal has just released a product called Anthelios that is thought to be more photo-stable, meaning it can likely protect skin against harmful rays a bit longer than the previous products can.
- Obagi Nu-Derm Sunfader http://www.obagi.com/article/forpatients/obaginu-dermsystem/products/products.html SPF 15 is formulated with hydroquinone and a safe chemical sunscreen. It protects skin from ultraviolet damage while inhibiting pigment cell production that causes dark and uneven patches. It is available by medical prescription only.
- Sea and Ski All Day maintains 30 SPF protection for up to eight hours, including after towel drying and multiple water immersions. Its nongreasy foam is thought to be daily protection for adults. Children like the foam, too, so they tolerate mom putting on them. One application should protect during recesses, lunch and after school.
- Ti-Silc Scalp Defense SPF 20 http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5590 provides moderate protection. It’s a light-weight spray-on.
- Ti-Silc-Silc GT SPF 60+ is a tinted broad-spectrum sunblock. After 80 minutes in the water, Ti-Silc GT retains its SPF rating in tests.
- Z-Silc Sunblock SPF 30 provides a nongreasy broad-spectrum protection. Z-Silc’s label says it contains zinc oxide. It’s fragrance-free, according to the manufacturer.
Read more about sun dangers and tanning from Maryan Pelland at Suite101.com.
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