What to look for when shopping for sunscreen
By: Chelsea Priest
Sun block is the first thing people usually grab when they plan a beach day, but what about when you go got a quick walk? On a day like today, you can get burned in less than fifteen minutes.
Many of the popular brands of sun block have made some claims that just aren't true like, “All Day Protection!”, “Water Proof!”, and “Sweat Proof!” These are all common labels we see on sun block bottles and even on commercials. Those claims may make you think you are set for the day after one application, but those statements aren't allowed anymore. Senator Jack Reed says, “We've been working for more than a decade to get the FDA to properly label sun products so people know what they are getting.”
So, this will be the first year that you won't see those claims on bottles. This also means you may want to check bottles from last year to make sure they are featuring the correct claims for best sun protection. What you should look for are sunscreens that are broad spectrum which protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Also, water resistant brands that will protect for 40-80 minutes in the water.
Dr. Pat Sullivan, a plastic surgeon who has done work on skin cancer patients, looks for certain ingredients. “I think one of the key things still is to go for high SPF values…now there are some agents that can be added to the sun block which are zinc and also titanium and certain kinds of things that can block very effectively.”
It is important to note that the new FDA standards are for sun block lotion and not the popular spray on sun blocks.
One of the most important ways to assess sun damage is finding it early on. This summer ABC6 is proud once again to present SunSmarts in collaboration with the Comprehensive Cancer
Center at Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital and Newport Hospital,
along with Lifespan Community Health Services, University Dermatology, LiveWell
Network, the D.E.M, the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, the
American Cancer Society, the Comprehensive Cancer Control of the R.I.
Department of Health and Women and Infants, to provide FREE skin cancer screenings,
educational resources and consultation to beach goers.
The locations and times are as listed:
Friday, July 12 North Scarborough Beach,
Noon to 2 p.m. Ocean Road, Arraigns
Sunday, July 28 Roger W. Wheeler Beach,
Noon to 2 p.m. 100 Sand Hill Cove, Arraigns
Friday, August 9 Easton's Beach (First Beach)
Noon to 2 p.m. Memorial Boulevard, Newport
Friday, August 16 East Attune Beach
Noon to 2 p.m. 950 Succotash Road, South Kingstown
Friday, August 23 Atlantic Beach (Second Beach)
Noon to 2 p.m. Memorial Boulevard, Middle town
