Long-awaited sunscreen approved for sale
(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-25 14:43
A sunscreen that blocks the type of ultraviolet
radiation linked to some cancers, and which has been available only outside the
United States, received US federal approval Monday.
Sunbathers endure the heat in New York's Union
Square park in this Tuesday July 18, 2006 file photo. [AP
Photo] |
Called Anthelios SX, the sunscreen contains ecamsule, an ingredient better at
blocking ultraviolet A, or UVA, radiation than other sunscreen ingredients
currently sold in the United States. Those ingredients mainly screen out UVB
rays.
UVB has long been associated with sunburn, while UVA is recognized as a
deeper penetrating radiation, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Doctors suspect there is a link between UVA exposure and longer-term effects,
including wrinkles, basal and squamous cell cancers and melanoma.
Anthelios is made by the French cosmetics company L'Oreal SA. It has a sun
protection factor or SPF of 15.
The sunscreen contains three active ingredients, including ecamsule or
Mexoryl SX. Mexoryl has been included in the company's sunscreens sold in Canada
and Europe since 1993.
LaRoche-Posay will distribute the product, the FDA said.
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