With the FDA coming off of recently renewed requirements for the sunscreen industry, many experts are calling for the organization to take sunscreen reform to the next level and take action against SPF ratings above 50. One Tampa dermatologist is warning consumers to do their research and continue protecting their skin, despite the high numbers on their sunscreen bottles.
“The higher the SPF rating, the more invincible people are likely to feel,” said Tampa dermatologist Dr. Seth Forman. “This false sense of security often leads to negligence, which only heightens the risk of negative sun exposure.”
Experts have long disputed SPF ratings over 50 due to the fears of misinformation leading people to stay in the sun long after the effectiveness has worn off. As SPF values rise above 50, the actual protection capabilities of products rise at minimal percentages. Tampa dermatologist fears that a misunderstanding of SPF values can only lead to risky sun exposure.
“Some may think that applying sunscreen with a SPF rating of 100 once during an hour-long time period is the same as applying sunscreen with a SPF rating of 50 twice,” says Forman. “Consistent reapplication of sunscreen is key.”
In 2011, the FDA proposed a cap of SPF ratings at 50; however, the organization is still reviewing comments and studies about the effectiveness of higher SPF v. Last December, the FDA passed new federal requirements banning potentially misleading terms and requiring all sunblock products to provide both UVA and UVB ray protection.
But Tampa dermatologist says that it’s up to the consumer to stay attentive to changes in sunscreen and to protecting their skin.
“Whether it’s the tanning salon or a day at the beach, everyone needs to be aware of sun exposure risks and remain vigilant in protecting their skin,” says the Tampa dermatologist.
Studies have shown that just one sunburn in an adult’s life can nearly double his or her risk for skin cancer, with a recent report stating that half of adults under 30 in the United States have had at least one sunburn in the past year. The American Academy of Dermatology has also found that individuals that have been exposed to UV radiation from indoor tanning have a 75 percent increase in their risk for melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. The risk increases with each indoor tanning visit.
For more on Dr. Seth Forman, Tampa dermatology or Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, please visit www.FormanDerm.com.
About Dr. Seth Forman: Dr. Forman is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Tampa, Florida. He was voted the “Best Dermatologist in Carrollwood” in 2011 and 2012 by the Carrollwood News and Tribune. In December 2011, he opened his new Tampa dermatology office, Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, where he gives psoriasis sufferers access to the latest treatment options, including topical and oral medications, as well as biological and phototherapy. Dr. Forman is one of the few Tampa dermatologists to offer narrowband light therapy, which uses pharmaceutical grade light to suppress psoriasis. He’s also one of the few board-certified dermatologists in the U.S. to use the SRT-100 radiotherapy to treat basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.
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SOURCE: Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute
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