Sunscreen

The Confusing Maze of Sunscreen

Trying to figure what sunscreen to use--if any??

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recommends that your first line of defense should be protective clothing, avoiding the maximum intensity of the sun and get in the shade, often.

Sunscreens should not be the first choice for skin cancer protection and should not be used as the sole agent for protection against the sun.

On June 14, 2011, the FDA issued new rules to take effect in the summer of 2012 to address what is listed on the 'outside' of a container of sunscreen, but not on what is 'inside'! They have been considering regulation of sunscreen for the past 33 years.

Did You Know?

1. The common sunscreen ingredient, Vitamin A or Retinyl Palmitate, may speed the development of cancer. (It is recommended, DO NOT USE SUNSCREEN THAT CONTAINS THIS!)

2. An effective sunscreen prevents more damage than it causes.

3. UVA (lower energy) rays penetrate deeper into skin tissues and are most responsible for generating free radicals that may damage DNA and skin cells, promote skin aging and cause skin cancer. Think of UVA damages your DNA

4. UVB (highter energy) rays are the primary cause of sunburn and bind directly to DNA, causing pre-cancerous mutations. Think of UVB causes burns.

5. Sunscreen can help reduce UV-related free radical damage by diverting the radiation from the skin. However, ingredients themselves (i.e., Retinyl Palmitate or Vit. A) can release their own free radicals in the process.

6. High SPF (Sun Protection Factor) suncreens are popular but they are NOT superior. They offer a false sense of security. Sunbathers stay out longer and soak up more radiation, especially in the UVA range where sunscreens are relatively ineffective.

7. The best suncreen is a hat and a shirt.

Check out the Environmental Working Group on the web and their page, "Skin Deep Best Sunscreens".

Environmental Working Group