by Ave Yarrum

Created on: June 20, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2009

The FDA, as a federal agency, not only has the right to regulate drugs and OTC products, it has the obligation. It is hard to imagine, but some people still do not understand sunscreen: its use and limitatons.

Dermatologists need some back up People misuse sunscreen and wonder why they have an appointment to have cancerous skin removed. The FDA could certainly provide information in magazines and advertisements about the benefits of using the proper sunscreen for people everywhere.

Some people think that the cloudy day means no sunscreen needed. Oh, it's winter, no sunscreen now! Sun is sun and clouds don't filter out the burning rays. The FDA could help people understand what the SPF really means. You might be surprised to know that the SPF is something different than you thought. For instance, if you burn after 15 minutes of sun, then a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 will protect you for 15 times the 15 minutes. That sunscreen will only protect you for 225 minutes or 3 hours and 45 minutes. If you applied the sunscreen at 10 am, you have to apply it again at 1:45 pm. If your perspiration has made you wipe your face, apply sooner.

Swimming is an activity you have to watch. Even if your sunscreen says that it is waterproof, you might just dry off and reapply it during the swimming hours. Make sure to rub it in and wait for the moisture to dry before you jump back out into the sun. One important reminder is to read the label of the product you choose. Do you have last year's tube of sunscreen? There will be an 800 number on the tube. Call that number and they will tell you if your tube is still effective.

A doctor once said to a patient, "You won't die from the skin cancer I am removing, but keep up the poor use of your sunscreen and the cancer will make you hate your looks and you'll wish you were dead". Even taking the biopsy leaves scars that most of you would probably like to avoid.

It is not only the pain, the scars and the "I told you to use sunscreen" lectures, it is the expense of seeing the doctor and the treatment. Once you have been treated for skin cancer, you must let a new insurance company in on it!

It is true that sometimes there is no early morning sun exposure to help you get your vitamin D.You get your D from the sun. Other sources are not that good. Just spend 10 minutes with your face and hands exposed to the early, early morning sun daily and you will be inviting the production of D in your body. No more or no less time is necessary, but you do need the sun, you just don't need to abuse yourself with the excessive exposure.

There are many regulations in this country, some we balk at! But having the FDA educate Americans on the proper use and the right SPF would be a blessing to those little ones who might have the chance of avoiding the scars of skin cancer.

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