New Type of Products Is Said to Offer Sun Protection,
but Doubts Linger
Can a laundry detergent laced with sunscreen turn your clothes into protection from harmful ultraviolet rays? How about a shampoo that claims to do the same?
As another hot summer looms, consumers are once again stocking up on products that promise scientifically formulated sun protection. Only now, amid a steady drumbeat of bad-news stories about global warming, manufacturers are upping the ante with whole new categories of chemically treated products that purport to block ultraviolet light. The products range from clothing and shoes to makeup and umbrellas. There are even sunscreen bikinis that pledge to shield those patches of skin that they actually cover.
But consumers and dermatologists have their doubts. Most dermatologist recommend that when it comes to sun protection, you really can’t beat a dark shirt with a tight weave and a good hat.
Which is not to say that many UV-protective products do not do what they promise. UV-protective clothing add protection by infusing fabric with chemicals that absorb UV rays, like titanium dioxide or Tinosorb. Sunscreen-infused laundry additives work the same way. With the infusion, summer-ready materials like cotton and linen can keep harmful rays from reaching the skin, even if the fabric is white, yellow or light blue, for example.
But as sun-protective clothing has made its way into the mainstream, seemingly obvious features like sleeves have occasionally been sacrificed, defeating part of the purpose. Lesser offenses include shorts and sleeveless shirts, while items like bikinis — which claim to offer the maximum degree of sun protection — might be a bit of a stretch.
The Food and Drug Administration briefly regulated sun-protective clothes in the early 1990s, classifying them as medical devices. While it no longer does that, the Federal Trade Commission does monitor marketing claims about garments and sun protection. A measurement called UPF, or ultraviolet protection factor, is the standard for UV-protective clothing. Developed in 2001 by
ASTM International, a product-testing agency, a UPF ranges from 1 to 50, with 50 being the most UV light that is blocked by a garment.
The F.D.A. does continue to regulate claims made by traditional sunscreens, which will soon undergo the first significant changes in decades. Manufacturers will have to show that their products protect against both UVB rays, which cause burns, and UVA rays, which are linked to skin cancers. Gone will be labels of “waterproof” or “sweatproof,” and lotions will have to indicate how often they need to be reapplied. Originally slated to go into effect this month, the new labeling requirements have been delayed until December to give manufacturers time to comply.
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Other products that are not traditionally associated with sun protection seem to be marketed to imply that they can do more than they can deliver. Sun-related claims are now common among hair products, like
TRESemmé’s “Climate Control” shampoo and conditioner, which both use ingredients like olive oil, keratin and a UV-blocking chemical called avobenzone to prevent frizz and drying. Outside of those benefits, the products offer no actual UV protection, according to the company.
But keeping your hair bouncy and protecting your scalp from the sun are different things, dermatologists say. The UV-protection for your hair will obviously not prevent skin cancer.
