Throughout my 30 years of writing about Sunscreens and Ultraviolet Filters, I have never before witnessed such turmoil concerning the use and regulations of suncare products. Today, because information is disseminated at an extremely rapid pace, deciphering the scientifically and factually sound data from inaccurate information written by non-professionals on the internet is tricky. Inaccuracies, if left unchecked, will only add to the confusion on the use and efficacy of sunscreens as a viable and necessary regimen in combating the epidemic rise of skin cancer.
If you have not been reading my column in HAPPI (Household and Personal Product Industry) magazine entitled “The Sunscreen Filter,” I invite you to do so. The 2008 February issue dealt with the Proposed FDA regulations of the Sunscreen industry in the USA and the 2008 May issue tackled the industry’s response to those proposed rules.
I plan to post a monthly blog, or more often as needed, to address the “burning” issues in the use and misuse of ultraviolet filters and suncare products.
This entry will highlight the topics I intend to comment on regularly in this blog in the future. They are:
1. Sunlight-harmful or helpful?
2. How do sunscreens work?
3. Sunscreens and Coral Reefs
4. Natural Sunscreens-is there such a thing?
5. Nanotechnology and sunscreens
6. Physical vs. chemical UV filters. Are these scientifically correct terms?
7. Photostabilizers and SPF boosters
8. The controversy over the use of the AAD (American Association of Dermatologists) seal on cosmetic products
9. Consumer perceptions on the use of sunscreen products
10. UVA vs. UVB protection, testing and labelling
11. Safety of Sunscreens-including the recent issues with Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone)
12. Vitamin D and sunscreens
And much more!
Stay tuned.
(Contact HAPPI magazine for your free registration to the Sunscreen Webinar scheduled for June 4th. For a link to Happi magazine and a review of my biography visit our website www.alpharnd.com).
Nadim A. Shaath, Ph.D.
President, Alpha Research & Development Ltd.
April 30, 2008
