approved for sale in the US, the type that guards the skin against radiation (skin cancer), not just the sunburns like the sunblocks that are sold in the pharmacies.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/07/24....ap/index.html

Thanks for link, Faina.

BTW, what happened to your Friday fun sports thread? I went away for the weekend, and noticed it had been deleted when I got back today.

You're right, it got deleted, but don't worry, there will be another Friday. Or should I say Friday Again

I don't worry about deleted threads - probably somebody posted something improper, it happens all the time, but in case of my Friday threads there was no valuable travel info lost.

By the way, the useless info thread is still there.

Well it is about time!!!!!!!!!!!
This sunblock is awesome and sold virtually everywhere but the USA.

Hey TTP, where'ya been?

I heard today that the sunscreen had been available in Europe for 10 years. It's supposed to be the only one that really guards against wrinkle damage.

Wrinkle damage? Did I hear wrinkle damage prevention has been available over in Europe for 10 yrs????? OOoh, someone's gonna pay for my facelift

(Just kidding. I hate how litigious our country has become....)

Great news!!! Thanks!

OWJ--LOL!!!!!!!! Couldn't agree with you more

That's great news!

The article in my paper said that it would be available this fall in "certain pharmacies and doctors' offices". Wonder how accessable it will be.

It's sold already in Canada since 1993 and can be ordered on-line as Mexoryl SX

I need it Faina! Why are we always the last to have good products.

OWJ, you wouldn't win in court, your complexion is beautiful!!

I just read the CNN link and it seems to suggest the only product available in the U.S. will have an SPF of just 15. Seems weird. I've got a shelf full of L'Oreal mexoryl products with SPF ranging from 25 to 50. Why just 15 for the U.S.?

<Anthelios is made by the French cosmetics company L'Oreal SA. It has a sun protection factor or SPF of 15.>

Perhaps, as the article says, that's the way it is made in France.

Jed, what I'm saying is that I can get those same products in Europe (where I live) at a much higher SPF than 15.

Well, I suppose that if it catches on in the US, other makes with higher SPF will be imported. Prehaps the FDA is being super cautious.

I use higher SPF products.

jed, this is the only make. It has just been approved by the FDA, years after it has been in use, safely, in Europe. I'm sure the FDA is being super political, not cautious.

What politics, exactly, are involved with SPF?

Any SPF 15 should be fine for anyone; going higher doesn't mean you can safely stay out longer, and assuming you sweat, you'll need to reapply just as often:
http://tinyurl.com/lo69q

karameli, none, but there are a lot of politics involved in what the FDA does and does not approve, unfortunately.

I which the politicians who get the hell out of the FDA and medicine. Uncle Sam has no place in the medical realm. I wonder how many people will have to suffer and die because of recent political vetos.

This is very exciting news. It should really help us cut down on incidence of sun cancer--if we could just get people to use it!

Joanne
http://www.vacationing-with-kids.com