Watch out for spray sunscreens

Consumers are being warned to take extra care if they use an aerosol sunscreen this summer.

Spray sunscreens are often more expensive than lotions but are increasingly popular.

But Australia’s Cancer Council is ‘‘strongly recommending against’’ aerosols this year and its counterpart in New Zealand also has concerns.

Australia’s peak independent cancer authority has sold its own range of aerosol sunscreens at supermarkets and pharmacies for years. But the council’s leadership has grown so concerned about how difficult they are to use effectively that they have stopped manufacturing them and are in the process of phasing them off shelves.

‘‘We don’t recommend this summer the use of aerosol sunscreens,’’ Professor Sanchia Aranda, the Cancer Council Australia’s chief executive, said.

‘‘We have identified that Australians are not using them correctly. People seem to be using them a bit like a mosquito repellent.’’

New Zealand Cancer Society general manager Fiona Mawley had some of the same concerns.

‘‘While it is convenient and a preferred option to a lotion for some, it does give the indication that a few light sprays is enough,’’ she said.

‘‘An aerosol is made up of propellant and product and forms a mist spray when it leaves the nozzle. It is not about the ingredients but the level of application that you receive when using it is not as adequate as the use of a lotion as part of it dissipates or is blown away before it makes contact with skin.

‘‘We do encourage that a generous amount be applied because with an aerosol the longer you spray the better the level of application and protection. There should be a nice sheen where it is applied, then rub it in and keep up re-applications.’’

Australian consumer advocacy group Choice said it would take about half a can to adequately protect an adult’s body.

A class action suit has been threatened in that country over Banana Boat aerosol sunscreens. Consumers complained of being burned using the products.