Sunscreens--Myth from Fact

Since our blog a couple of weeks ago entitled "Some Sunscreens May Be Harmful To Your Health & The Ocean", we have noticed many news reports on TV and the newspaper on the exact subject. So we thought we would start at the beginning and share our initial research on the subject with some important facts on skincare and protecting it from the sun and separating myth from fact according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

1- Let's turn to Christine's "health-laden" reasoning for suntanning --to get her Vitamin D.

According to AAD, the use of sunscreens blocks the production of Vitamin D. It is highly recommended individuals get their vitamin from healthy foods and supplements and not depend on the sun.

2-How much and how often should sunscreen be applied? A: Since sunscreens do wear off after entering the pool or beach, from sweating, or toweling off, sunscreens should be applied generously and regularly. Most people only apply 25-50% of the amount needed. Don't forget to pucker often and apply lip balm to lips. The lips are skin too.


3- What is an SPF?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Sunscreens are rated or classified by the strength of their SPF. The SPF numbers on the packaging can range from as low as 2 to greater than 50. These numbers refer to the product's ability to deflect
the sun's burning rays.
The sunscreen SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin. For example, if a sunscreen is rated SPF 2 and a person who would normally turn red after ten minutes of exposure in the sun uses it, it would take twenty minutes of exposure for the skin to turn red. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 would allow that person to multiply that initial burning time by 15, which means it would take 15 times longer to burn, or 150 minutes. Even with this protection, sunscreen photo degrades (breaks down) and rubs off with normal wear, so it needs to be reapplied at least every two hours. [American Academy of Dermatology].

4- Does SPF indicate protection against both UVB and UVA rays? First it's important to remember the distinction between UVB and UVA rays. Simply put, the UVB rays are the "burning rays" that cause the sunburn. While UVA rays are the "aging rays". The UVA rays are the rays that can penetrate through glass windows and are known to suppress the immune system and lead to premature wrinkling and age spots. Excessive exposure to both can cause skins cancer.

As consumers, we have noticed claims for UVA protection on bottles of sunscreen. However according to the AAD link here, "there is no FDA-approved rating system that identifies UVA protection." Our question then becomes, is the AAD link current? Unfortunately there's no date at the top of the page as you will notice, although the first footnote reference to the American Cancer Society is for the year 2008.

5-Does SPF 30 have twice as much sun protection as SPF 15?

UVB protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. For example, an SPF of 30 screens 97 percent of UVB rays, while an SPF of 15 screens 93 percent of UVB rays and an SPF of 2 screens 50 percent of UVB rays. However, inadequate application of sunscreen may result in a lower SPF than the product contains. Whatever sunscreen SPF is chosen, wearing sunscreen should not provide a false sense of security about protection from UVB exposure as no sunscreen can provide 100 percent UVB protection. While using a higher SPF provides greater UVB protection than a lower SPF, it does not mean that you should stay out in the sun longer.

6- What type of sunscreen should be used? According to AAD, they recommend a "broad spectrum" coverage. That's the buzz word this summer. (If we had a dollar for every time we heard that term on the news, Christine and I would have a nice starter nest egg for retirement). What does broad spectrum mean? Well it's a combination of ingredients to protect from both UVB and UVA rays. HOWEVER, some of the ingredients listed by AAD does conflict with our earlier blog referencing the National Geographic article.


Broad Based ingredients for sunscreen recommended by AAD:
avobenzone (Parsol 1789)-act like estrogen in body (per National Geographic article)
cinoxate
ecamsule (Mexoryl SX)
menthyl anthranilate
octyl methoxycinnamate-act like estrogen in body (per National Geographic article)
octyl salicylate
oxybenzone-act like estrogen in body (per National Geographic article)
sulisobenzone
titanium dioxide-good blockers
zinc oxide - good blockers

From the perspective of humble consumers and non-scientists, we deduce that the National Geographic article has taken the research of sunscreens to the next level. Not just the impact on skin, but the body in general and the environment or ocean. So we strongly recommend each person conducts their own research to determine the best product for their protection and use. The recommended list of Sunblock by National Geographic can be found on our previous blog "Move over Coppertone Girl, Snow White is Here to Stay".

The common thread advice in all our research is to avoid the sun. If you must, consider following the example of the Aussies. Back in the late 1990's, the Australian Government introduced the "Slip, Slop, Slap" skin cancer prevention campaign. Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, and slap on a hat.

We'd love to hear from Christine's cousins in Australia and extended family about their thoughts and experience with sunscreen Down Unda! "Cuzn Harold--do you and the children slip, slop, slap?" [Christine]