By Lee I-chia / Staff reporterSunscreens with higher sun protection factor (SPF) do not prevent the skin from getting tanned, although they do provide protection against sunburn, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said. The FDA made the announcement in a post on its Web site dedicated to dispelling rumors to clear a common misconception about sunscreens. However, skin damage, melanin pigmentation and tanning can still occur even if the skin is not burned, the FDA said. Levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation this month reached “very high” to “extreme” levels nationwide, according to the WHO’s UV Index. The FDA advised people not to only look for high SPFs when choosing sunscreens, but also take into consideration their skin type, reaction to sunlight, the activity they take part in, the intensity of sunlight and the amount used when choosing and applying sunscreens.

Source: Taipei Times July 28, 2019 15:56 UTC