Current sunscreen issues: 2007 Food and Drug Administration sunscreen labelling recommendations and combination sunscreen/insect repellent products.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sunscreens as over-the-counter drugs. This article describes sunscreen actives available in the United States, new developments available elsewhere, and the amendment to the FDA 1999 sunscreen monograph, released on August 27, 2007, which proposes a new grading system for ultraviolet B protection, a cap of the sunburn protection factor to 50+, and a 4-star grading of ultraviolet A protection. In addition, current data on combination sunscreen and insect repellent products are discussed. Application of a combination product too frequently poses the risk of insect repellent toxicity, whereas application too infrequently invites photodamage. It may be prudent to follow the same approach of our Canadian colleagues of discontinuing combination products until more investigations are available.
Hexsel
Camile L
CL
Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Bangert
Scott D
SD
Hebert
Adelaide A
AA
Lim
Henry W
HW
D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004348:Drug Labeling / Q000592:standards*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007302:Insect Repellents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D007302:Insect Repellents; D013473:Sunscreening Agents