What Do Sunscreens Do?

Did you know that sunscreen does not protect you against skin cancer?This definitely was news to me. I guess I assumed sunscreen was a magical potion that could protect you from many of the sun’s evils. But it turns out that sunscreen just prolongs the amount of time you can be exposed to the sun without getting a sunburn.

The Environmental Working Group reports that the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration all concur that sunscreens don’t prevent skin cancer – and they shouldn’t be used as the sole form of skin cancer prevention. 1 (Stay in the shade. Wear clothing and hats.)

And wearing a higher number of SPF doesn’t mean you receive extra protection from the sun. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains SPF “indicates how long it will take for UVB rays to redden skin when using a sunscreen, compared to how long skin would take to redden without the product. For instance, someone using a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will take 15 times longer to redden than without the sunscreen.”

Since sunscreens don’t protect against skin cancer, it’s important to watch your exposure to the sun. (This really upsets me! While I’m usually fairly pale, I love to relax at the beach by laying out and reading a book. Who am I kidding, though? That was what I used to love to do before I had children. My days of relaxation are over. Now I chase my babies around the beach.)

Just so you can have a better understanding of what you’re exposed to when you’re in the sun, let me share a little bit about UVA, UVB and types of skin cancer:

UVA

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. Although they are less intense than UVB, UVA rays are 30 to 50 times more prevalent. They are present with relatively equal intensity during all daylight hours throughout the year, and can penetrate clouds and glass.“UVA, which penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB, has long been known to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling (photoaging), but until recently scientists believed it did not cause significant damage in areas of the epidermis (outermost skin layer) where most skin cancers occur. Studies over the past two decades, however, show that UVA damages skin cells called keratinocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis, where most skin cancers occur. (Basal and squamous cells are types of keratinocytes.) UVA contributes to and may even initiate the development of skin cancers.”

UVB

As the “chief cause of skin reddening and sunburn,” the Skin Cancer Foundations reports that UVB “tends to damage the skin’s more superficial epidermal layers. It plays a key role in the development of skin cancer and a contributory role in tanning and photoaging.” Many sunscreens are known to only protect against UVB rays.What is a tan?

I’d like to share one more tidbit from the Skin Cancer Foundation: “UVA is the dominant tanning ray, and we now know that tanning, whether outdoors or in a salon, causes cumulative damage over time. A tan results from injury to the skin’s DNA; the skin darkens in an imperfect attempt to prevent further DNA damage. These imperfections, or mutations, can lead to skin cancer.” (emphasis mine) This definitely makes me rethink my annual goal of trying to attain a “healthy” looking tan.Speaking of skin cancer …

Since UVA and UVB rays are known to cause skin cancer – yes, ultraviolet rays are recognized as human carcinogens by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization – I’ll explain a few types of skin cancer, just for the sake of awareness.Melanoma, known as the deadliest skin cancer, kills more than 8,000 Americans each year. 2 The Environmental Working Group reports that researchers have noticed sunscreen users have an increased incidence of melanoma – possibly because they willingly expose themselves to UV rays for longer amounts of time since they think they’re “protected” by sunscreen. 3

Nonmelanoma skin cancers include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Research shows that people who regularly wear sunscreen can lower their risks of squamous cell carcinoma. 4

Even though sunscreen prolongs the time we can spend in the sun without burning, many sunscreens are filled with hazardous ingredients. Join me again tomorrow as I discuss the ingredients to avoid.

1. “Sunscreens Exposed: 9 surprising truths.” Environmental Working Group.

“Sunscreens Exposed: Heath agencies question sunscreen’s efficacy.” Environmental Working Group.

2. “UV Information.” The Skin Cancer Foundation.

3. “Sunscreens Exposed: 9 surprising truths.” Environmental Working Group.

4. “Sunscreens Exposed: Heath agencies question sunscreen’s efficacy.” Environmental Working Group.

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