1. Products with SPFs below 15 must carry warnings that they only protect against sunburn and not skin aging or skin cancer.
2. Broad spectrum protection (those that block against damaging UVA and UVB rays) claims on sunscreens are now backed by testing.
3. The FDA now prohibits the labeling of sunscreen as “waterproof” or “sweat-proof”. Products can only say water-resistant and must indicate how often it should be reapplied if swimming or sweating.
4. Products must include additional measures for sun protection. Sunscreen will now carry labels stating they can lower one’s risk of skin cancer in combination with limiting time in the sun, wearing protective clothing and avoiding the sun during midday.

Overall, consumers should look for a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

Read the full USA Today article.

Myth: Indoor tanning is safer because it protects you from sunburn by giving you a base tan.  
Fact: There is no such thing as a “safe” or “healthy” tan. A tan is damaged skin and can put the body at risk for skin cancer. Studies show that melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, is the fastest-growing cancer and is being diagnosed in more and more young people, largely attributable to the use of tanning beds.

Myth: You can’t get sun damage on a cloudy day.
Fact: Your skin is at risk even when the sun’s not shinning. The sun’s ultra violet rays can actually break through the clouds. Even on cloudy days you should use sunscreen and lip balm with UVB and UVA protection with SPF 30 or more.

Myth: You need sunlight to get enough Vitamin D.
Fact: The safest way to get Vitamin D is through a healthy diet and supplements, not long hours in the sunlight. Foods such as milk, yogurt, salmon and tuna are all rich with this nutrient. Fifteen minutes a day of sun exposure for three days a week is all you need for adequate levels of Vitamin D.

Myth: People with darker skin can’t get skin cancer.
Fact: Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate – men and women of all ethnicities are at risk. Although darker-skinned people are less likely to get skin cancer than white people, they are typically more likely to die from the disease.

Myth: Eighty percent of sun damage occurs before the age of 18.
Fact: The majority of a person’s sun damage actually occurs later on in life. While many parents are vigilant with keeping their kids safe with sunscreen and protective clothing, they often don’t practice what they preach. It’s important to protect both your children and yourself from sun exposure whenever you are outdoors.

Remembering these sun safety facts can help you and your loved ones prevent sunburn and early signs of aging and most importantly reduce your risk of skin cancer. You can still have fun in the bright summer sun by following these simple steps:

1. Apply one ounce of sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before going outside
2. Wear protective clothing – sun glasses, hats and clothing made of tightly woven material with long sleeves
3. Avoid tanning beds and sun exposure when it’s the brightest
4. Routinely check your skin by following the ABCDE rule

Visit Save Your Skin to learn more about keeping your skin healthy year round.

While the FDA’s proposed changes to regulation of tanning devices are a welcome step, skin cancer incidence in the U.S. continues to rise. Melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer, is the fastest-growing cancer and is being diagnosed in more and more young people, largely attributable to the use of tanning beds. There is more work to be done on the regulatory, legislative and education fronts to save lives through prevention and early detection of the disease.

The Utah Cancer Control Program (UCCP) works to decrease cancer incidence and mortality throughout Utah, with an emphasis on cancers that can be prevented or detected in early stages. The program also provides support for Utah’s community cancer coalition, the Utah Cancer Action Network.

“Play It Sun Safe, Utah!” materials teach soccer coaches & players to enjoy fun in the sun safely!

Utah consistently has one of the highest melanoma incidence rates in the country. There are many reasons for this, including its largely fair-skinned population, high altitude and outdoor lifestyle.

“Just a few serious sunburns can increase a child’s risk of skin cancer later in life,” said Kristi Smith, health program specialist for the Utah Department of Health. “By teaching sun safety at an early age, children can develop lifelong habits that help prevent skin cancer.”

In 2012, the UCCP received a Prevent Cancer Foundation community grant to begin a new project called “Play It Sun Safe, Utah!” The project closely followed Preventing Skin Cancer: Education and Policy Approaches in Outdoor Recreation Settings found in The Community Guide (a resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for evidence-based program recommendations about what works to improve public health). The “Play it Sun Safe, Utah!” aimed to educate coaches, youth, and parents participating in local recreation soccer leagues on the dangers of the sun and the need for sun safety. There are two main components of the project:

1. A sun safety reminder that included sun safety tips with a picture of the project spokesperson, Chris Wingert, a professional soccer player for Real Salt Lake.
2. A training manual which provided coaches with information on the need for sun safety along with short lessons to use with their team.

The project was implemented in three soccer leagues in 2012. A total of 139 teams with 1,566 children received project materials, and an additional 300 children received the sun safety reminders. Children who returned surveys that they completed with their parents were entered into a prize drawing.

Following the project work with the soccer leagues, the UCCP made the educational materials available to local health departments statewide for implementation with their local recreation soccer programs. As a result, over 2,000 additional Utah children are expected to receive materials that will help them enjoy fun in the sun safely and reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.

The use of indoor tanning beds by teens remains a problem in the U.S. with 2.3 million teens visiting the tanning salon at least once a year. Experts claim there is still the perception that it’s safer to tan in a salon than in the sun. According to a recent CDC report, “UVA output from indoor tanning devices is four times higher and UVB output is twice as high as noon sunlight in Washington D.C. during the summer.” Health officials worldwide are fighting for tougher warnings and regulations on tanning bed machines that will inform and protect teen and young adult consumers.

Read the Full Bloomberg Business Week Article

Read the Full CBS News Article

Though local and national government efforts have recently attempted to regulate indoor tanning by implementing a tanning tax or banning usage by minors, tanning bed use remains popular, particularly among young adults.  Researchers of the study encourage more active interventions and stricter protocols that discourage use of tanning beds as a prevention mechanism for skin cancer.

Read the Full Huffington Post Article

A number of studies conducted in northern European nations all concluded that increased UV exposure through indoor tanning beds is directly responsible for increased melanoma rates.  Researchers warned health officials of the dangers of tanning bed use for future generations and encouraged tough protocols for the tanning bed industry. Some countries have used this information to enforce bans on tanning beds while others have tightened industry regulations to prevent unhealthy tanning practices.

Read the Full American News Article

Indoor tanning beds increase the risk of developing skin cancer and expose skin to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation that is far more intense than UV radiation from the sun. The melanoma rates for young women are rapidly increasing, and they are the primary users of indoor tanning beds.

More than 2 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year however, 30 million people in the U.S. continue to tan indoors. The New York law seeks to protect young people from the heightened risk of skin cancer and prevents early exposure to dangerous UV radiation.

Read the full Medical News Today Article 

The National Cancer Institute estimates that there will be 2 million new diagnoses of skin cancer in the Unites States this year and 76,250 cases of melanoma, skin cancer’s most dangerous form.

Skin cancer manifests itself visibly on the skin and regular checks can help people discover skin cancer in its earliest stages. The mobile app includes a risk assessment survey, periodic reminders to check your body for any signs of skin cancer and pictures of cancerous lesions to make early detection easier.

Read the full Atlantic Article