For the first time, SPF and UPF actually mean the same thing. Up until now, SPF has been more of an industry convention rather than an actual FDA standard. It seemed designed to mislead us more than inform us. Finally, even though they are called different names, "SPF Broad Spectrum" will be the same as "UPF". It's crucially important that "Broad Spectrum" be on your sunscreen label or you are not being protected against skin cancer! Most sun screens on the market will not be able to say "Broad Spectrum" because the old SPF label didn't measure all forms of UV protection. Now they have to. Sun protective clothing and sun protective swimwear are labeled with the UPF protection number, so they will stay the same.
Basically, sun screen lotions use a standard called "SPF" while clothing and fabric use a standard called "UPF". Starting this year, major label sunscreens will be required to use an FDA test called "SPF Broad Spectrum" and consumers can compare sun protective clothing to sunscreens and different sunscreens to each other.
To start, UPF and SPF Broad Spectrum measure how much of the sun's harmful radiation is blocked:
SPF/UPF 15-24 blocks 93.3-95.8%
SPF/UPF 25-39 blocks 96-97.4%
SPF/UPF 40-50+ blocks 97.5-98%
There is no UPF value above 98% because there are really no additional benefits and it doesn't really add any measure of sun safety. For now, sun screen lotions will continue to be labeled above 50, but don't be fooled! A pair of denim jeans will block 99.8% or more of the sun's harmful rays, but would still only be labeled UPF 50+.
On a lotion or clothing label then, the UPF or SPF Broad Spectrum number indicates how much longer a person can safely stay in the sun before burning. If a product is labeled UPF or SPF 15 and it normally takes 15 minutes to burn, then 15 x 15 = a little under 3 hours. A white t-shirt, for example, blocks about 20% of the sun's radiation, so it would have a UPF rating of 5.
What does "Broad Spectrum" really mean?
There are two kinds of UV radiation that come from the sun. UVB causes irritation, redness and painful sunburns while UVA radiation causes the real danger: skin cancer. Keep in mind that sun block is a relatively new product and up until 25 years ago suntan lotion was for getting tanned and burned faster! We now understand the link between UVA radiation and skin cancer, but when the SPF rating first came out, it was at a time when a sunburn was considered the the greatest danger from sun over exposure. So, SPF testing never took UVA radiation into consideration at all. UPF ratings, on the other hand, have always indicated protection from both UVA and UVB.
The "Broad Spectrum" designation on a sunscreen means that it will block both UVA and UVB radiation in equal measure. This is a much more difficult thing for a lotion to do, and certainly means that any claims of "waterproof" and "sweat proof" will be long gone. For a lotion to work properly, it is important to always reapply 2 to 3 tablespoons of every time you come out of the water.
It only took 33 years of consideration, but we want to thank the FDA for finally taking this step towards getting phony claims and bogus products off the shelves.
Basically, sun screen lotions use a standard called "SPF" while clothing and fabric use a standard called "UPF". Starting this year, major label sunscreens will be required to use an FDA test called "SPF Broad Spectrum" and consumers can compare sun protective clothing to sunscreens and different sunscreens to each other.
To start, UPF and SPF Broad Spectrum measure how much of the sun's harmful radiation is blocked:
SPF/UPF 15-24 blocks 93.3-95.8%
SPF/UPF 25-39 blocks 96-97.4%
SPF/UPF 40-50+ blocks 97.5-98%
There is no UPF value above 98% because there are really no additional benefits and it doesn't really add any measure of sun safety. For now, sun screen lotions will continue to be labeled above 50, but don't be fooled! A pair of denim jeans will block 99.8% or more of the sun's harmful rays, but would still only be labeled UPF 50+.
On a lotion or clothing label then, the UPF or SPF Broad Spectrum number indicates how much longer a person can safely stay in the sun before burning. If a product is labeled UPF or SPF 15 and it normally takes 15 minutes to burn, then 15 x 15 = a little under 3 hours. A white t-shirt, for example, blocks about 20% of the sun's radiation, so it would have a UPF rating of 5.
What does "Broad Spectrum" really mean?
There are two kinds of UV radiation that come from the sun. UVB causes irritation, redness and painful sunburns while UVA radiation causes the real danger: skin cancer. Keep in mind that sun block is a relatively new product and up until 25 years ago suntan lotion was for getting tanned and burned faster! We now understand the link between UVA radiation and skin cancer, but when the SPF rating first came out, it was at a time when a sunburn was considered the the greatest danger from sun over exposure. So, SPF testing never took UVA radiation into consideration at all. UPF ratings, on the other hand, have always indicated protection from both UVA and UVB.
The "Broad Spectrum" designation on a sunscreen means that it will block both UVA and UVB radiation in equal measure. This is a much more difficult thing for a lotion to do, and certainly means that any claims of "waterproof" and "sweat proof" will be long gone. For a lotion to work properly, it is important to always reapply 2 to 3 tablespoons of every time you come out of the water.
It only took 33 years of consideration, but we want to thank the FDA for finally taking this step towards getting phony claims and bogus products off the shelves.
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