New Suncreen Labeling Rules
September 26, 2011
Under new FDA rules, sunscreens that have at least a 15 SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and offer protection from UVA and UVB rays can display new labels indicating that they protect against sunburn, early signs of aging, and skin cancer. The FDA has also decided that the term “sunblock” is a misnomer and will no longer be a valid claim on labeling. In the FDA’s eyes, no lotion or spray can totally protect the skin against the sun’s harmful rays. Moreover, the terms “waterproof” and “sweatproof” can no longer appear on sunscreen labeling because the FDA thinks that these claims are overstated. The FDA hopes that the new labeling rules will help consumers make better decisions.
P.S. Under the new sunscreen labeling rules, sunscreens that meet the FDA’s criteria for “Broad Spectrum” can make the claim that, if used correctly and in combination with other “sun protection measures,” they prevent sunburn, skin aging, and cancer.
Warding Off Excessie Sweat
September 19, 2011
Excessive sweating (“hyperhidrosis”), a condition that affects 2% to 3% of the population, can certainly pose personal problems. The culprits are the eccrine sweat glands, whose main function is thermoregulation. They are triggered by the sympathetic nervous system responsible for orchestrating the “fight or flight” response (the body’s reaction to emergency situations). Those suffering from hyperhidrosis are overly sensitive to the sympathetic nervous system’s activation of the eccrine glands with the chemical messenger acetylcholine. For treatment of underarm sweating, the first choice is an antiperspirant containing an aluminum salt. For the feet and hands, repeated sessions of iontophoresis (submerging the extremities in warm water with a mild electrical current) for 20-30 minutes may work. Botox injections may also be effective.
P.S. In some cases, it may be necessary to treat hyperhidrosis with surgery that involves removal of the sweat glands responsible for excessive sweating.
The Villages Office