May has been designated as Skin Cancer Awareness Month — The American Academy of Dermatology and Olansky Dermatology Associates encourage you to have your skin checked annually.  Below is a link to the AAD’s Body Mole Map — it includes step-by-step instructions for skin cancer self-examination and provides an easy way to know your spots!

Download the map for your own use, or take it with you to your annual skin cancer screening.

Body Mole Map from the American Academy of Dermatology (1.08 MB )

Next month, labeling requirements for sun protection products must change, according to new FDA requirements. Only products that test as Broad Spectrum and have an SPF value of 15 or higher may state that they reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, when used as directed.

A year ago, the FDA announced that it was changing the labeling requirements for all sunscreen products, to assist consumers in understanding the protection the product provides.

UVB and UVA radiation contribute to sunburn, skin cancer and premature skin aging. Sunburn is primarily caused by UVB radiation.

Under the new guidelines, if the sunscreen products pass the FDA’s test for protection against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, the product will be labeled as “Broad Spectrum.”

A product labeled as both Broad Spectrum and SPF 15 or higher may state that it reduces the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging, when used as directed. A Non-Broad Spectrum sunscreen, or a Broad Spectrum sunscreen with an SPF value between 2 and 14 may only claim to help prevent sunburn.

Sunscreens may no longer be labeled “waterproof,” “sweatproof,” and may no longer be labeled as “sunblock” because these claims overstate their effectiveness. If water resistance is claimed, the front label must indicate whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating.

To read more about the FDA’s new labeling requirements and to see a video on how sunscreen works , visit the FDA website.