The Truth About Sunscreen: Healthy or Hazardous?

Sunscreen has been a hot topic on social media recently with celebrities, bloggers, and content creators warning of the perils of frequent sunscreen use. While fear-tactics may cause you to worry, scientific research shows the benefits of protecting your skin with sunscreen.

Humans have been protecting their bodies from the sun since the beginning of time. Ancient Egyptians used rice bran, jasmine, and lupine to block out the sun’s rays. Ancient Greeks slathered on olive oil for exposure and after-care. Scientists have revolutionized how we care for our skin in the sun with the introduction of modern creams, sprays, and lotions, but many consumers believe the risk outweighs the benefit.

While our ancestors spent a significant amount of time outside, the typical life expectancy then was less than half of today’s according to Our World in Data. The average age for a skin cancer diagnosis is 66, more than double the average age of 30 in 1770. The sun’s true damage to their bodies would have gone undetected with them passing away before cancer had a chance to take its toll. The indoor tanning boom of the 1970s is a contributor to an increase in skin cancer, along with the thinning of the ozone layer, allowing more UV rays to pass through. Choosing not to use sunscreen puts you at risk for cancer, sunburn, and other sun-related illnesses.

According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), genetic and health factors also play a role in the harmfulness of UV rays. Take extra precaution if you have:

• Pale skin
• Blonde, red, or light brown hair
• Been treated for skin cancer
• A family member who has had skin cancer
• Prescriptions for certain medications (consult with your doctor)

How Does Sunscreen Protect the Skin?
“Sunscreen forms a protective barrier on your skin, reducing the amount of UV radiation that reaches the deeper layer of your skin. This helps prevent sunburn and skin damage and reduces the risk of skin cancer,” explained Landon Marshall, FNP-C, of Iredell Health System’s Family Care Center of Taylorsville. “There are two main types of UV rays that reach our skin:

UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburn. Sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) helps to block or absorb these rays before they can penetrate the skin and cause damage.

UVA rays also damage the skin, leading to premature aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. Broad spectrum sunscreen protects us against both UVA and UVB rays.”

There are two types of sunscreen protection: chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and neutralize them. Mineral sunscreens create a protective barrier on the skin and bounce UV rays away. Zinc oxide and or titanium oxide are typical ingredients found in mineral sunscreens.

Should I Worry About Sunscreen Causing Cancer?
“Some people may have concerns about the chemicals in sunscreen and their potential impact on health, including the risk of cancer. If this is one of your concerns, I would encourage you to weigh the potential risks against the known benefits of using sunscreen and the harmful effects of UV radiation,” said Marshall.

From the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

“A recent study by the FDA looked at four sunscreen ingredients and concluded that absorption of these ingredients into the body supported the need for additional research to determine if the absorption has any effects on a person’s health. As the researchers pointed out, just because an ingredient is absorbed into the bloodstream does not mean that it is harmful or unsafe.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and unprotected exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays is a major risk factor for skin cancer. The AAD remains committed to supporting and enhancing patient care. If you are concerned about the safety of the ingredients in your sunscreen, speak with a board-certified dermatologist to develop a sun-protection plan that works for you. For more information, check out aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen.”

What is SPF Anyways?
A common misconception is the higher the SPF, the longer a person can go without reapplying. This is false.

According to the FDA, “SPF is a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce sunburn on protected skin (i.e., in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin. As the SPF value increases, sunburn protection increases.”

SPF protects against UVB rays, which is why it’s important to choose a product labeled “broad spectrum” that protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. SPF 15 filters 93% of the sun’s UVB rays while SPF 30 filters 97%. When choosing a sunscreen, the AAD recommends choosing one with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapplying every two hours. It’s important to note that no sunscreen will filter 100% of the sun’s UVB rays, so pairing sunscreen with hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing is the best way to practice sun safety. It’s important to reapply:

• Every two hours
• After toweling off
• When sweating
• After being in water

Is Sunscreen Healthy or Hazardous?
Bottomline: Protecting your skin with sunscreen is a safe and effective way to prevent burns, cancers, and other sun-related illnesses. It’s important to do personal research and speak with your healthcare provider about a sun-safety plan that’s right for you.

“I would say that sunscreens are regulated by health organizations to ensure they are safe for use and overall, the risk of developing any kind of adverse effect from the use of sunscreen is much lower than the risk of developing skin cancer from unprotected UV exposure,” said Marshall.

It’s important to keep your skin safe from harmful UV rays. Slather on the sunscreen and suit up- your skin will thank you later.