Does Sun-Screen Give You Skin Cancer?

The dangers of over exposure to harmful Ultra Violet radiation from sunbathing have been well publicized. Premature aging of the skin and melanoma are no joke, but could it be that some of the products being marketed to protect us are causing more harm than good?

Rumors and hearsay about the possible negative consequences of sunscreen use abound. Although this sounds like prime urban legend material there may actually be something to it.  Firstly there is the fact that sun protection creams can only provide limited protection. Feeling that you are protected can lead you to take greater risks with sun exposure.  If you have applied cream and think that you will not burn then you are much more likely to stay in the sun than if you know that covering up and getting into the shade is your only option. Similarly if you always apply high factor sun protection your skin will never be able to develop its own natural defenses against UV light, meaning that you will always be at a greater risk of burning if you encounter sunshine whilst unprotected.

There is another and potentially more disturbing aspect to sun-screen health concerns. These centre around the ingredients that are used. For instance there is oxybenzone. This chemical is found in several commercially available high factor sun creams. Although still approved by the US FDA oxybenzone is known to be a hormone disruptor and it is suspected that it may also have carcinogenic (cancer causing) effects. A wide variety of chemicals are used to make sunscreen, these range from those that provide the protection to those to ensure that the cream is absorbed by the skin or is waterproof. In addition to these sun products often contain either skin lightening or fake tan products – important to remember if you buy sun cream while you are away on holiday, many countries have next to no regulation regarding what substances can be used in these products.

The only way to be safe with either the sun or with sun protection products is to exercise caution and moderation. A bit of sunshine is essential for health, too much can kill you. The best thing to do is to make sure that you plan to be able to cover up after a period of exposure, for instance put some thought into the long dresses and other clothing that will work on the beach and ensure that you can retreat to the shade when you have had enough. Also build your tan gradually and naturally by reducing the potency of the creams that you use across your holiday. The number one most important thing to remember though is that under absolutely no circumstances should you ever let you or your family burn.