Shining a Light on Sunscreen: Sun Protection Misconceptions Unveiled by Dr. Jeffrey Dover and CV...( WOONSOCKET R.I. June 9 /- CVS/pha...),Health

WOONSOCKET, R.I., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS/pharmacy, America's largest retail pharmacy with 6,300 convenient locations nationwide, offers consumers simple tips for what to look for when purchasing sun protection this summer. Despite the flood of sun protection information that is released each summer, most consumers are not fully aware of the dangers of the sun and what to look for in sunscreen to be adequately protected.

That's why CVS/pharmacy and Dr. Jeffrey Dover, the dermatologist behind the drugstore's proprietary brand skin effects(TM), are teaming up this summer to educate consumers on the new products that offer the best sun protection. Certain sunscreen technologies and ingredients will provide superior results, and it is important to know what to look for when reading the label.

While many commonly available sunscreens do protect against short-wave UVB rays that can burn the skin, some provide inadequate protection against the longer reaching UVA rays that are responsible for skin cancer and premature aging. Most consumers don't know that the SPF rating on the sunscreen bottle only measures UVB, so consumers should look for a sunscreen label that specifically includes UVA protection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently working on new packaging regulations that will help make labeling easier to understand.

Also, according to the FDA, sunscreens can be neither completely perspiration-proof nor water-proof. All sunscreens can be washed or worn off as a consequence of swimming or sweating. In addition to reapplying often, consumers should look for bottles that say water - and sweat-resistant or very water - and sweat-resistant. These are FDA-approved terms for products that have been tested to stand up against water exposure for longer periods.

Another common misconception is that you can apply sunscreen once and be protected all day. "Ordinary UVA sunscreen chemicals break down as soon as they are exp
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