Q: Hi Dr. Manny.
I've been reading a lot about UVA and UVB damage and some of the new guidelines they've been putting out on sunscreen. I want to know what the best sunscreen is to keep my family protected? – Erik Wooderd, Spokane, Washington.
A: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new rules for sunscreens were designed to help people better protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun. However, these regulations have left many people, like Erik, confused on which sunscreens they should be using.
These new regulations will require sunscreens to undergo full FDA testing to determine whether they protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Those that pass the test can be labeled as "broad spectrum." UVA rays can penetrate deeply into your skin and suppress your immune system, which increases the risk of wrinkling and age spots. UVB rays can burn your skin.
Too much exposure to both UVA and UVB raises your risk of skin tumors, including a form of cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
The best sunscreen will offer protection from all UV light and contain SPF, or Sun Protection Factor. You'll want to look for that "broad spectrum" label and make sure it also has a SPF of over 30.
The new rules will also bar the use of the terms "sunblock," "waterproof" and "sweatproof." Instead, sunscreens can be labeled as "water resistant," and must specify if they work for 40 or 80 minutes.
And remember, always check the expiration date on your sunscreen bottles and reapply it every two hours!
If you have a question you’d like Dr. Manny to answer – e-mail him at DrManny@foxnews.com.
Stay up-to-date on the biggest health and wellness news with our weekly recap.