Too Much Use of Sunscreen May Cause Cancer
Whenever you go under the heat of the sun, you always hear the same advice over and over again: apply your sunscreen.
At present, it is recommended to apply 15 SPF and occasionally up to 30 or 50, depending on the heat of sun where you are and the sensitivity of your skin, according to Linda Paterson, a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner at Lourdes Hospital. In addition, since sun can cause cancer and other skin damages, select a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects from both UVA (ultraviolet A or long-wave) rays and UVB (ultraviolet B or short-wave) rays.
This summer, before you get your sunscreen, one of the environmental groups is saying that there is something you should know.
It was discovered that sunscreen application produces insufficient sun protection, or it contains ingredients that might be dangerous to your health, according to Sonya Lunder, a Senior Analyst at Environmental Working Group.
There are two chemicals discovered in many sunscreens — retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone, and it can be risky. This recommendation was based on an FDA study that discovered the chemicals caused an increase in tumors and cancer when tested in lab mice.
It advises steering clear of sunscreens containing oxybenzone, vitamin A (“retinyl palmitate”) or insect repellent, due to health concerns about those ingredients. Because sprays or powders may have tiny particles unsafe to breathe, stick to lotion sunscreens. It also recommends against using sunscreens with SPF ratings above 50, saying those may give false expectations of protection from skin damage.
The group also examined 1, 400 products and discovered that some of the bottles declaring to have offered the best protection failed to fulfill their claims.
Lunder says they only suggest 8 percent of the beach and sports sunscreens which are available in the market right now.
But, a lot of skin care experts believe that consumers must stay before flinging out their most wanted sunscreen, not until the FDA gives out its proposals.
Though we do not know how these products are really capable in protecting somebody, it may be better rather than obtaining melanoma, which is an extremely serious and dreadful type of skin cancer to have, according to Peterson.
The said group suggests using sunscreens that do not contain those chemicals until the FDA produces more direction.
Many skin-care experts say that because of cancer risks from sun exposure, we should take vitamin D supplements and limit unprotected sun to brief periods in the morning or evening.
After such a cool and cloudy June, the sun will get a warm reception in Seattle anytime it appears this summer. Enjoy it with protection, and you won’t get burned.
And according to Peterson, the alternative in using sunscreen is wearing clothes with high neck, longer arms, and sleeves to protect your skin.
In October, the FDA is expected to release its new sunscreen regulations.
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