The document discusses high SPF sunscreens and whether they provide significantly better protection than lower SPF options. While SPF measures protection from UVB rays, UVA protection is also important. Experts note the difference in protection levels between high and medium SPF sunscreens is small. Proper application is emphasized as the best way to ensure protection. A variety of sunscreen options are available in Egypt, including some with high SPF ratings, though lower SPF is generally recommended for children.

5. High-SPF Sunscreens: Are They
Better?
 If you’ve shopped for sunscreen lately, you have
probably noticed the proliferation of products with
ever-higher sun protection factor (SPF) ratings.
 Just a few years ago, it was hard to find a sunscreen
claiming an SPF higher than 45. These days, the
shelves are lined with products of 70+, 80, and 90+.
 Neutrogena recently introduced Sunblock with SPF
100+.
 But is a 100+ or a 90+ sunscreen really that much
better than one with an SPF of 15?

6. What does SPF refers to ?
 SPF refers to the ability of a sunscreen to block
ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause sunburns, but
not UVA rays, which are more closely linked to
deeper skin damage. Both UVA and UVB contribute
to the risk of skin cancer.
 It is a measure of the time it would take an
individual to burn in the sun if they were not
wearing sunscreen vs. the time it would take with
sunscreen on.

7. SPF 100: Twice as Good As SPF 50?
 “SPF is not a consumer-friendly number,” says
Florida dermatologist and American Academy
of Dermatology (AAD) spokesman James M.
Spencer, MD. “It is logical for someone to
think that an SPF of 30 is twice as good as an
SPF of 15, and so on, but that is not how it
works.”

8. SPF 100: Twice as Good As SPF 50?
 According to Spencer, an SPF 15 product
blocks about 94% of UVB rays, an SPF 30
product blocks 97% of UVB rays, and an SPF
45 product blocks about 98% of rays.
 “After that, it just gets silly,” he says.
 Sunscreens with higher SPF ratings block
slightly more UVB rays, but none offers 100%
protection.

9. SPF 100: Twice as Good As SPF 50?
 Spencer says SPF 15 sunscreens are fine if
used correctly, but he recommends SPF 30
products to his patients because few people
apply sunscreens as heavily or as often as they
should.

12. But there are other opinions
 Farah Ahmed, who is general council for the
cosmetics industry group Personal Care
Products Council, concedes that the difference
in sunburn protection between the medium-
and high-SPF sunscreens is not great.
 But she says the high SPF products may better
protect against long-term skin damage and
exposure-related skin cancers.

13. But there are other opinions
 In a written statement, Neutrogena notes that because
most people use far less sunscreen than is
recommended, high SPF sunscreens can offer better
protection.
 “Higher SPFs used over a lifetime may translate to
healthier skin in later life,” the statement reads.
“While the difference in the percentage of ultraviolet
radiation blocked between an SPF 55 and SPF 100+
may be slightly less than 1%, applying an SPF 100
may lead to much less cumulative sun damage over a
lifetime.”

14. What about UVA Rays?
 Finding a sunscreen that adequately protects
against UVA rays is much trickier, but every
bit as important. UVA radiation reaches deeper
into the skin and contributes to wrinkles and
skin cancer risk. Nearly all (95%) of the UV
radiation that we are exposed to is UVA
radiation.

15. What about UVA Rays?
 Many of the high SPF sunscreens use chemical
filters to block UVA rays, which may offer only
marginal protection.
 That’s because avobenzone or Parsol 1789 and
Mexoryl, two UVA filters, break down quickly and
lose effectiveness in the sun unless stabilized.
 The stabilization process is difficult and few
companies have been able to prove that they can
do it, Spencer says.

16. What about UVA Rays?
 San Francisco-area dermatologist Sonia
Badreshia-Bansal, MD, recommends two
chemical-based sunscreens to her patients --
Neutrogena sunscreens with Helioplex and
Loreal’s LoRoche Posay with avobenzone.
 She says helioplex is a stabilizer that has been
proven to keep avobenzone from breaking
down.

17. What about UVA Rays?
 Spencer also recommends Loreal’s sunscreens
that have Mexoryl as the active UVA-blocking
ingredient.
 Badreshia-Bansal says she prefers barrier-type
sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium to
chemical ones, but she concedes that her
patients don’t usually like the over-the-counter
versions because they tend to be thick, pasty,
and opaque.

18. What about UVA Rays?
 She frequently prescribes medical-grade
sunscreens with micronized zinc formulations
that are less heavy and chalky. She
recommends SkinCeuticals sunblocks with
SPF 30, which contain high concentrations of
micronized zinc oxide and/or titanium oxide,
and Obagi sunscreens with SPF 30 and
micronized zinc for all skin types.

19. What about UVA Rays?
 “I’m darker-skinned and I can put them on my skin
without it showing,” she says.
 Both agreed that even the best sunscreens need to be
used properly to work.
 “The best way make sure you are protected is to
reapply sunscreen often,” Spencer says. “You just
can’t put it on in the morning and forget about it. I
don’t care if it’s SPF 800 or the best UVA protection,
after a few hours it’s gone.”

21. High SPF Sunscreens: Short Shelf
Life?
 Whether you choose to use a high SPF sunscreen or
not, their days may be numbered. The FDA, which is
working on a new labeling system for sunscreens,
says it plans to limit SPF claims to 50+ when the
changes are finalized, possibly by the end of the year.
 If they submit scientific evidence proving that their
products provide the level of protection they claim,
they can continue to market sunscreens with higher
SPF ratings.

22. Consumer Groups Rate Sunscreens
 In its July issue, Consumer Reports rated five
popular SPF 45+ and five SPF 30 to 45
sunscreens.
 EWG Senior Analyst Sonya Lunder tells
WebMD that the group’s highest rated products
contained the barrier sun blockers zinc oxide
or titanium dioxide.

23. At the end
 Whatever product you choose, experts
recommend using a water-resistant sunscreen
applied liberally, a half hour before going
outdoors. Sunscreen should be reapplied at
least every two hours or after swimming,
drying off, or sweating.

24. Source of this study
 WebMD discusses the pros and cons of
high-SPF sunscreens.
 By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Feature
 Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

25. Sunscreen prep. In the Egyptian
market
 Most of the egypion market preparations of
sunscreen (6 -45 ) but there are other preparations
with high SPF as photoderm ,derma-clinic & UV
block .
 A lot of sunscreen preparations are water proof and
some of them contain titanium dioxide .
 Preparations with low SPF (4-8) can be used for
enfant and children .
 Source of market information atlas 1 2008

28. Sunscreen prep. In the Egyptian
market
notes
compa
ny
prize
size
Name
Water proof UVA
&UVB protection
Luna
34.75
250 ml lot
Luna 7
Water proof UVA
&UVB protection
Luna
34.50
250 ml lot
Luna 18
Water proof UVA
&UVB protection
Luna
37.50
250 ml lot
Luna 27
Luna
30.00
125 ml lot
Luna 35

29. Sunscreen prep. In the Egyptian
market
Contain titanium
dioxide
Stiefel
55.00
150 ml
lot
Spectraban
28
Contain titanium
dioxide
Stiefel
66.00
70 gm
cr
Spectraban
55
Can be used for
infants &
children
Stiefel
45.00
40 gm
cr
Spectraban
plus

30. Sunscreen prep. In the Egyptian
market
Water
proof
Nivea
55.00
250 ml lot
Nivea 4
Water
proof
Nivea
24.00
250 ml lot
Nivea 6
Water
proof
Nivea
31.00
250 ml lot
Nivea 12
Water
proof non
greasy
mash
32.00
lot
mash 45

31. Sunscreen prep. In the Egyptian
market
BMS
55.00
113.4 gm
cr
Pre sun 46
Weiser
18.00
125 ml lot
Solarine
16
Weiser
28.00
125 ml lot
Solarine 32
Contain
titanium
EVA
51.00
30 ml cr
Unitone

32. Sunscreen prep. In the Egyptian
market (high SPF )
SPF 100%
Bioderma
89.00
40 gm cr
Photoderm
max
Borg
39.00
50 gm cr
Sun clinic
60
Borg
49.00
50 gm cr
Sun clinic
90
Invisable
cream
Isispharma
51.00
cr
UV block
80

34. Test your self
 Photoderm max has SPF :-
1- 6%
2- 8%
3- 18%
4- 100%

35. Test your self
 avobenzone and Mexoryl are :-
1- UVA filters .
2- UVB filters .
3- added to sunscreen prep. To increase shelf
life
4- toxic ingredients should be avoided in
sunscreen prep.

36. Test your self
 Infants require special care so, sunscreen
preparations for infant should have:-
1- high degree of SPF .
2- low degree of SPF .
3- the degree of SPF is not important .
4- infants with dark skin nly require
sunscreen

37. Test your self
 According to UV radiation WHICH ONE IS
TRUE :-
1- UVA associated to skin cancer
2- UVB associated to skin cancer
3- both UVA & UVB associated to skin
cancer
4- non of the above

38. Test your self
 According to SPF (sun protection factor):-
1- SPF 50 half the protection of SPF 100.
2- SPF 50 equal the protection of SPF 100.
3- SPF 50 less the protection of SPF 100 by
less than 1%
4- SPF 50 better than the protection of SPF
100 by almost double .

40. http://groups.google.com/group/
pharmacist-development
m.ezelden@gmail.com