FDA's long awaited, Suncreen-labeling reforms

From Time Magazine Health


The FDA's long-awaited sunscreen-labeling reforms, which take effect in 2012, address concerns that consumers don't fully understand how--or how well--sunscreen combats damage done by the sun

HOW SKIN GETS BURNED

1 When skin is exposed to the sun, UV rays stimulate cells in the bottom layer of the epidermis

Epidermis

2 Pigment cells go to work, producing melanin, which darkens skin and protects DNA

Melanin

3 When the melanin defense is overwhelmed, cell damage occurs, and the body boosts blood flow to aid healing, causing inflammation

Dermis

Blood flow

UVA rays, responsible for most UV radiation reaching the earth, penetrate deeply...

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