The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning this month to consumers using sunscreen sprays.  The FDA issued the warning after becoming aware of five separate incidents in which individuals were burned severely enough to require medical attention.  These people were wearing spray-on sunscreen and were near an open flame.

Flammable ingredients, mainly alcohol, are included in sunscreen sprays.  This creates a danger even after the sunscreen has been applied and seems to be dry.  The FDA encourages consumers to exercise caution when near an open flame or performing activities such as smoking, grilling, lighting fireworks or sparklers, and using candles.  The warning also notes that this danger may not be limited to sunscreen sprays as other spray products such as bug spray and hairspray and other non-spray sunscreen products may also contain flammable ingredients.

All of the incidents mentioned by the FDA were from Banana Boat products.  Energizer Holdings voluntarily withdrew a number of Banana Boat spray-on sunscreen products in October 2012.  The voluntary withdrawal notice mentioned that the spray on these products dispenses more than the average for similar items from competitors.  Consequently, the product takes longer to dry.  This may have been the source of the danger, but the FDA emphasizes that users should still exercise caution even after the sunscreen is dry.

Sunscreen is an important component of sun safety.  The FDA also suggests that people limit sun exposure, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., which is when the sun’s rays are the most damaging.  Staying in the shade throughout the day is also recommended.  When out in the sun, dressing in protective clothing such as a shirt with long sleeves, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat will help minimize exposure.  Finally, the FDA recommends applying sunscreen all over the body 15 minutes before going out in the sun and reapplying every two hours at a minimum.

Sun exposure is linked with skin cancer and experts note that sunscreen is not the perfect solution.  Major sunscreen products may inadequately protect against all types of ultraviolet rays from the sun.  Specifically, products with high SPF may not protect against both UVA and UVB rays, making SPF 15 to 50 with broad spectrum protection the best option for sunscreen.

Melanoma, which is the most well-known and most dangerous form of skin cancer, is triggered by damage to the DNA of skin cells usually caused by UV exposure.  Annually, approximately 120,000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed in the U.S.  Melanoma kills nearly 9,000 people every year.