Reading new suntan lotion labels

Here's what's new:

• SPF numbers still matter. This is the number that tells you how well a product protects you from sunburn, caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. The numbers range from 2 to 100 or more. For a good margin of safety, choose products with SPFs of at least 30 to 50. Keep in mind that you get the promised protection only if you apply the product liberally and often (at least every two hours).

• Low SPFs now come with a warning. Products with SPFs below 15 must carry warnings that they protect only against sunburn, not skin aging or skin cancer.

• Broad spectrum claims are backed by testing. Dermatologists have long recommended broad spectrum sunscreens, those that offer significant protection from both UVB and UVA rays. Both kinds of rays contribute to wrinkles and skin cancer. Now products must pass a standard test before they make that claim.

• Water-resistant does not mean waterproof. Labels can no longer say that sunscreens are waterproof or sweat-proof, because all of them wash or wear off. The new labels can claim water resistance, but must tell consumers how often to reapply the product when swimming or sweating — every 40 minutes or every 80 minutes. Those claims also must be backed by testing.

• Sunscreen is never enough. Broad spectrum sunscreens with SPFs of 15 and above now carry labels that say they "can reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging" if used as directed — in combination with limiting your time in the sun, especially at midday, and wearing long sleeves, pants, hats and sunglasses.

Here's what's missing:

• The FDA needs to approve sunscreen ingredients available elsewhere in the world that it says are more effective.

• The FDA also needs to more rigorously test active sun protective ingredients that themselves have been indicted for being unhealthy.

• The FDA needs to reign in any nano-ingredients because their safety have not been well studied.

• There should be verbiage on every suntan lotion bottle saying that "sensible sun exposure is a requirement to achieve adequate levels of vitamin D. Fifteen minutes of exposure on a good portion of your body five times weekly would suffice." Of course, this would never happen.