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>>Sunscreen Science Overview
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>>Sunscreen Science Overview
Beyond broad spectrum: The science of sun protection technology
- The importance of breadth of protection, height of protection, and photostability in a sunscreen formulation
- How high SPF sunscreens help compensate for underapplication
"Broad spectrum" doesn't guarantee high UVB and high UVA protection
UVA/UVB protection
- As a result of amendments made to the FDA’s sunscreen monograph, “broad spectrum” protection is mainly defined by critical wavelength*1
- Critical wavelength measures breadth of protection, but not the height (amplitude)
- Critical wavelength test does not require that a broad spectrum sunscreen provide both high UVB and high UVA protection
- Comprehensive sun protection goes beyond critical wavelength and includes a high SPF value to protect against sunburn caused primarily by UVB, a high UVA protection factor, and a photostable formulation for long-term protection
Recommend superior protection with Helioplex® Technology to compensate for underapplication
SPF application density
- Studies suggest that patients routinely underapply sunscreen by 50% to 75%2
- At relevant application dosage, high SPF products maintained superior effectiveness in vivo vs lower SPF products3
- SPF 50 offered significantly greater protection than SPF 30
- SPF 70 offered significantly greater protection than SPF 50
- SPF 100 offered significantly greater protection than SPF 70
References
*The final ruling for labeling and testing was issued in June 2011. FDA required that companies comply with labeling and testing of product to the new monograph by December 2012.
- Labeling and Effectiveness Testing; Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration; 2012.
- Diffey B. and Ferguson J. Assessment of Photoprotective Properties of Sunscreens. In Clinical Guide to Sunscreens and Photoprotection edited by Lim H. and Draelos Z. Informa Healthcare 2009; pp 53-63.
- Ou-Yang H, Stanfield J, Cole C, Appa Y, Rigel D. High-SPF sunscreens (SPF ≥ 70) may provide ultraviolet protection above minimal recommended levels by adequately compensating for lower sunscreen user application amounts. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;67(6):1220-1227.
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