Can Sunblocks And Sunscreen Lotions Cause Skin Cancer? | News Fire

Writer: Dr. Michael Pritsker, DC on May 18 2011.

For many years, we have known two things to be true. First, the sun is bad for you, and therefore, exposure should be limited. Most people don?t know this, but the sun has three types of ?rays,? not just two. The first is ultraviolet C light, also known as UVC. This ray usually does not reach our planet?s surface and this is good because it is believed only brief exposure to UVC rays is fatal. Next is ultraviolet B, also known as UVB rays. These have long been considered the ?tanning rays.? They are strongest during the summer months when the Earth?s orbit is closest to the Sun. UVB rays are what produce a ?sun tan.?

For many years, sunblocks and sunscreens only attempted to block UVB because science was unaware of the effects of UVA rays (the third type of sun ray) on the body. UVA was believed to be the safe ray in the 1980s, which spawned the growth and popularity of the artificial sun bed industry ? some dermatologists even backed this artificial tanning! But, science now believes UVA rays actually do more damage than UVB rays! UVA rays are not dependant on how far the Earth is from the Sun ? so the effects are the same all year round. What?s more, UVA penetrates light clothing and car windshields? even many hats. Over-exposure to the sun has been linked to premature aging and even deadly skin cancer.

This brings us to the second so called fact which is limit contact to the harmful rays of the sun by using high SPF sunscreens and sunblocks. For years, the sunblock industry has been thriving with the guarantee their products protect you from the sun?s aging and cancerous rays. But, research now says these ?truths? may not be so ?true.? For example, there is no agreement whether sunscreens prevent skin cancer. According to the Environmental Working Groups? (ewg.org) finding, ?The Food and Drug Administration?s 2007 draft sunscreen wellbeing regulations say: FDA is not aware of data representative that sunscreen use alone helps prevent skin cancer.? (FDA 2007). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) agrees. The IARC recommends clothing, hats and shade as main barriers to UV radiation and writes ?sunscreens should not be the primary choice for skin cancer prevention and should not be used as the sole agent for protection against the sun? (IARC 2001a). Even poorer, there is proof emerging that sunscreen may actually amplify the risk of skin cancer!

In 2007, the FDA published draft regulations that would prohibit manufacturers from labeling sunscreens over 50 SPF. The FDA stated that anything over 50 SPF was ?inherently misleading.? Even an SPF of 50 can be misleading because of the way most people use sunscreen. Researchers speculate the cause or causes may be lack of UVA protection by most sunscreen for over 30 years, improper usage, staying in the sun longer with sunscreens and some of the ingredients. One big problem is the SPF (sun protection factor) myth.

A person using one-fourth the amount of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 only actually gets an SPF of 2.3. The same person using a sunscreen with SPF 100 ends up with only SPF 3.2. In the real world, tests show people apply only one-half to one fifth of the amount used when testing the sunscreen.

Then, there are the potential problems with the ingredients found in sunscreens. For example, oxybenzone, a common ingredient, is a known hormone disruptor. Retinyl palmitate (a form of Vitamin A also commonly used in sunscreens) may increase the risk of skin cancer. According to Environmental Working Groups, ?The publicly available data from FDA?s new study suggest that when used in sun-exposed skin care products, retinyl palmitate and related chemicals may increase skin damage and elevate skin cancer risk instead of protecting the skin.?

According to Environmental Working Groups, 41% of all sunscreens have retinyl palmitate. All of this may be astonishing but what?s even more appalling is that the FDA first issued draft sunscreen regulations in 1978 and last updated the draft in 2007. The regulations are still not ending, despite multiple announcements of impending completion. Until the agency formally issues its rules, companies are not necessary to verify their sunscreens work, including testing for SPF levels, checking waterproof claims or providing UVA protection. SCF approval is easy, just document that your product has an SPF of at least 15 and provide results of basic tests (for SPF, skin reactions and water and sweat resistance, if such claims are made). Nearly one in eight sunscreens does not block UVA rays. Many carry the seal of ?The Skin Cancer Foundation.? According to the Environmental Working Groups, ?The Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) lends its logo to hundreds of sun protection products.

This can all be confusing. If you are, then you are not alone. Here?s something that will make the most of the confusion Disappear. Since sunscreens are probably not as safe as once thought, the best thing to do is stay out of the sun during its peak hours (10:00am ? 2:00pm) and whenever possible, wear protective clothing instead of chemicals. Don?t forget, some sun is absolutely necessary for Vitamin D production and proper health. The amount of sun you should get depends on your skin type but you should NEVER burn. Just following some of these simple steps will help avoid damage.

Looking to find the best information on skin cancer, then visit www.backcaretreatment.com to find the best advice on chiropractic care for your health.

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