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every two hours with more frequent application when sweating or I choose mineral sunscreens until I see further data confirming that
exposed to water. absorption of chemical sunscreen is definitively safe. Furthermore, I opt
for zinc oxide mineral sunscreen over titanium dioxide, as there have
Other notable inclusions in the recent FDA proposal include Category been some concerns about micronized titanium dioxide being linked to
I designations for oils, lotions, creams, gels, butters, pastes, ointments a form of hair loss (frontal fibrosing alopecia) that is rapidly increasing
and sticks. Powders will be Category III, as not enough data exists to put in incidence. For pregnant women, I recommend avoiding chemical
them in Category I. Wipes, towelettes, body washes and shampoos are sunscreens until absorption assays have proven safety beyond a doubt.
categorized as new drugs and not rated. Specifically, vitamin A derivatives ingested can cause birth defects and
sunscreens containing vitamin A derivatives, such as retinol palmitate
Because of evidence showing improved benefit from broad- or retinyl palmitate, should be avoided by pregn,ant women since
spectrum sunscreen products with an SPF of 60, the FDA is proposing absorption levels are not known.
to raise the maximum labeled SPF value to SPF 60+. Marketing of up
to, but not beyond, SPF 80 will be allowed to encourage development References:
of products with more UVA protection and to account for variability Consumer Reports online. https://www.consumerreports.org/
in SPF test results.
products/sunscreen/ratings-overview/
Some of this information may seem contradictory, as the Federal Register. The Daily Journal of the United States Government.
FDA says the only proven-safe ingredients in sunscreen are zinc
oxide and titanium dioxide and, yet, Consumer Reports analysis https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/26/2019-03019/
confirmed that chemical sunscreens offer more effective coverage sunscreen-drug-products-for-over-the-counter-human-use
from UVA and UVB.
Semantic Scholar online. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/
What is the best choice? For now, as always, I try to avoid as much Detection-of-titanium-nanoparticles-in-the-hair-of-Brunet-Possenti-
sun exposure as possible. When I plan activities out in the sun, l cover Deschamps/f851402cdf6a7b3a29149e2a1faf7400230e7
myself with as much sun-protective clothing as feasible and then use
sunscreen on the areas not covered by clothing. I make certain I apply United States Food and Drug Administration website. https://www.
sunscreen at least 15 minutes prior to sun exposure, and I apply it fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/
liberally and every two hours, or more often if I am sweating or in water. Guidances/UCM473464.pdf
Save the Date! NATIONAL HEALTH &
WELLNESS OBSERVANCES
14TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
MAY 2019
MELANOMA
AWARENESS Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month n Better Sleep Month
AND RESEARCH Correct Posture Month n Healthy Vision Month
MONDAY, JUNE 10 Hepatitis Awareness Month n Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month
BALLANTYNE COUNTRY CLUB Lupus Awareness Month n National Arthritis Month
Martin Kreshon National Bike Month n National High Blood Pressure Education Month
Docdoc54@hotmail.com n 704-541-6191 National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month
National Mental Health Month n National Osteoporosis Month
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
National Stroke Awareness Month
National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month n Older Americans Month
May 1: Project Aces Day (All Children Exercise Simultaneously)
May 1-7: National Physical Education and Sports Week
May 5-11: North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH)
May 6-12: National Nurses Week
May 6-12: National Hospital and Healthcare Week
May 8: School Nurse Day
May 8: World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day
May 12-18: Women’s Health Week
May 13-17: Bike to Work Week (Bike to Work Day: May 17)
May 20: World Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Arthritis Day
May 29: National Senior Health & Fitness Day
8 | May 2019 • Mecklenburg Medicine
