Vincent A. DeLeo, MD, Chairman, Department of Dermatology, St Luke’s – Roosevelt Hospital, New York, discusses sunscreens and FDA testing and labeling for photoprotection. The sunburn protection factor, or SPF, was first invented in 1978, and the FDA up until now has issued guidelines for manufacturers on how to label products and test for SPF. New FDA regulations are expected to cap the SPF of a sunscreen at 50+, and ask manufacturers to label for UVA based on a star system.

Physicians will have to educate themselves and their patients about this new system to avoid consumer confusion.

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Assessment of the photo-degradation of UV-filters and radical-induced peroxidation in cosmetic sunscreen formulations.
Damiani E, Astolfi P, Giesinger J, Ehlis T, Herzog B, Greci L, Baschong W. Free Radic Res. 2010 Jan 21.