Summer Series- Don’t be Stupid: Part 1
There is so much conflicting information on the sun and its impact on the skin. I get questions like, “It is the sun’s fault that we get skin cancer OR did our sunscreen cause it”? I also hear statements like this one, “I am wearing tallow, so I am safe from sunburns.”
I am going to unpack the debate about sun and our skin in this post.
It’s always a good idea to start with some facts. Let’s look at the most recent facts about skin cancer from The Skin cancer Foundation.
1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
In the U.S., more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.
The diagnosis and treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers in the U.S. increased by 77 percent between 1994 and 2014.
About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
One study found that regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent when used as directed.
Regular daily use of an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent.
The vast majority of melanomas are caused by the sun. In fact, one UK study found that about 86 percent of melanomas can be attributed to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
Indoor tanning devices can emit UV radiation in amounts 10 to 15 times higher than the sun at its peak intensity.
An estimated 80 percent of visible skin aging in Caucasian women is caused by the sun.
People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily.
I think it is safe to say that people who use tanning beds are at a higher risk for skin cancers than those outside. We can also conclude that sunburns should be avoided to lower our risk of developing possible skin cancers. So now let’s talk about simple ways to lower our risk (other than not tanning in a tanning bed).
Seek the shade, between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is at its peak. This is especially true for the beach or pool.
Don’t get sunburned.
Avoid tanning, and never use UV tanning beds.
Cover up with light clothing, including a broad-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day if you are in the sun.
Keep newborns out of the sun.
Examine your skin head-to-toe every month.
See a dermatologist if you suspect any changes on your skin or if you are more at risk for skin cancers.
Now before you shoot me because I listed sunscreen. Let’s look at some facts about sunscreen and actually look at some facts so that we aren’t basing our information on hearsay.
The Food and Drug Administration is responsible for determining the safety of products that we use and they don’t have the best track record of making great decisions. The FDA has reviewed sunscreen ingredients and has repeatedly stated that out of 16 ingredients it reviewed, only two – zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – are “generally recognized as safe and effective,” or GRASE. (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/26/2019-03019/sunscreen-drug-products-for-over-the-counter-human-use)
The European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety published final opinions on the safety of three non-mineral ultraviolet, or UV, filters and determined them to be a problem to human health. There is mounting evidence that some of these ingredients causes disruption to our hormones. Studies have found these chemicals in breast milk, blood, urine and even residue still on the skin weeks after their use.
So, let’s go back to the 2 safe ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. I have heard some rustling of feathers on these two as well which means we need to look at the facts on them specifically. These two aren’t considered to be absorbable through the skin. If you have ever used a mineral sunscreen with zinc, you know what I mean (ghost face anybody?)! There also isn’t much concern with their endocrine disruption potential. There is concern over inhalation from spray sunscreens using these ingredients and spray products, in my opinion, should be avoided until we know more.
Mineral sunscreens sometimes contain an ingredient called butyloctyl salicylate, or BOS. I would screen for this ingredient because studies from the EU that show harm to reproduction and the developing fetus. For this reason, salicylic acid and several other salicylates cannot be used in kids’ products in the EU. So to be on the safe side, I would avoid sunscreens using this product.
Do we have a solution? We don’t want to burn, but don’t have a great selection on natural products to use. On the other hand, we know sun is required for vitamin synthesis, circadian rhythm and overall wellness.
Stay tuned for part 2, where we will dive into this topic even more.
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/
