What came first: Skin Cancer or Sun Screen?
Or rather, which concern was first..... because we all know skin cancer has been around for probably longer than what we can know. I mean they did find a melanoma spot on a 3300 BC mummy...
When I recall "suntan lotions" getting popular in the '70's , it was more for getting a tan than for avoiding skin cancer. Remember when Suncreen 8 was like a total block? (lol - i do!) Now? We wouldn't think of buying anything less than a 30!
With much more awareness and higher spf's in Sunscreens, are we safer? Below are some of the reasons I chose to wear sunscreen only on certain occasions.
Skin cancer in increasing, as is the use of sun blocking products:
Sun Blocks and lotions are more popular than ever. Why are skin cancer rates not dropping?
Damage from the sun comes from being in it for too long. At best, I spend about an hour a day in the sun with the only thing between me and the sun are freckles and arm hair lol (and clothing of course!) When it will be more than that, I apply sunscreen. If it's all day, I apply a few times. Yes, you can get really burnt and actually very sick from sun poisoning if you are in the sun for very prolonged periods - with our without sunscreen. So, sunscreen on no sunscreen, don't do it! I'm not advocating for a total boycott of sunblock. But I strongly feel you have to weigh your choices with data. I have linked a few sources for you to start your search. If you don't agree with me after reading these, at least you may be thinking a bit more, and researching it further yourselves :) Research is good!
We are not getting enough vitamin D from sunlight:
This gets people pretty fired up (against opinions like mine), but the only good argument they give is that "there is no evidence" to support that sunblock inhibits vitamin D. I haven't found actual research to support that statement so my guess is that there hasn't been a controlled study done...which of course means there is "no evidence". We NEEED that natural production of Vitamin D that the sun gives! And not just for our bones - for our mental health as well. There is research regarding how we are not getting enough vitamin D... like this article.
Uh oh.... here is research showing a GREATER risk of melanoma in sun block users....and this time it's the ingredients.
Do I use sunscreen? Yes, when I know I might burn without it, such as long day in the sun, especially in the Spring. I always opt for with with no artificial fragrance and none of these ingredients either:
- Oxybenzone
- Homosalate
- Nanoparticles
- Octinoxate
- Avobenzone
- Octocrylene
- Octisalate
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