Sunscreen Safety & Effectiveness

ABC 7 NY
Published June 18, 2007

(New York - WABC, June 19, 2007) - It's a summer must-have: Sunscreen. But with so many brands out there, how do you know which one works best? A new study by the Environmental Working Group looks at the safety and effectiveness of more than 700 name-brand sunscreens. Eyewitness News reporter Nina Pineda has the story. Sun worshippers should know summer's healthy glow comes from protecting yourself in more ways than just buying the right products. But when it comes to screening yourself from harmful cancer causing rays, some favorite brands may fall short. "Always use sunscreen", said Jane Houlihan, Vice President for Research at EWG, "but not all sunscreens are created equal. ... Our research shows that some products are far more effective than others, while presenting fewer safety concerns. Before we launched this website, the consumer had no way to identify the safest and most effective sunscreens." Just in time for beach season, the Environmental Working Group released their research study on sunscreen safety, and found some marketing claims to be misleading and outright wrong. Some sunscreen myths to watch out for: all day protection, waterproof, chemical free and blocks all harmful rays. If they're not used properly, all sunscreen is useless. And most people don't apply nearly enough: adults should slather it on using at least 6 teaspoons for the average size person, and children should wear between two and four teaspoons. Sunscreen should be reapplied after swimming or sweating, and expiration dates followed. In truth, no product is capable of blocking all of the suns damaging affects but consumers should look for lotion and creams which include both UVA and UVB protection. Dr. Rigel is part of a campaign with the New York Yankees to promote fun in the sun safety. Dermatologists have seen a sharp rise in skin cancer recently. The best advice he has for patients: realize all sunscreens are not created equally, and common sense measures like shade, hats and avoiding peak sun hours are outdoor enthusiasts best defense to stay healthy. (Copyright 2007 WABC-TV)