Yesterday FDA proposed a new sunscreen rule that did two things.
1) It set out rules for measuring UVA protection (currently SPF only measures UVB protection. UVB causes burns but UVA is a greater risk for skin cancer). Finally! The new system will give you SPF for UVB (now up to 50+, as far as is technically feasible), and a 4 star sytem for UVA protection. It’s sad it took this long to get here but thankfully, now consumers can figure out what the real protection is.
2) It asks for comments regarding nanosized materials in sunscreen. You already know what I think about this!
You can comment on any part of the rule if you get it in by 26 Nov 2007. The Docket # is 1978N-0038 and can be accessed here
I’ve got to add this – In the FDA news release there is this paragraph:
“Many consumers incorrectly believe that the only way to protect themselves from skin damage caused by the sun is to apply sunscreens,” said Douglas Throckmorton, M.D., deputy director of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “The labeling being proposed today strengthens the existing labeling for sunscreens by educating consumers on the added importance of limiting their time in the sun and wearing protective clothing as part of a sun protection regimen.”
You dolt, everyone understands that if you spend less time in the sun or wear more clothes you get less skin damage. Just because we don’t do it doesn’t mean we don’t understand. Who approved this communication? Way to sound both condecesding and out-of-touch, FDA.