Sunscreen warnings

Sunscreen users seem to lulled into a false sense of security and put themselves at risk. We don’t use sunscreen properly,  government studies show a common ingredient can lead to skin cancer, and SPF numbers can be unreliable.

Five Things to look out for in the summer sun.

1. Typical sunscreen users do not use the recommended amount. Actually only about 25% of the recommended amount of sunscreen is used, diminishing the protection immensely. An SPF 50 will actually protect as a SPF 3.2. Read your labels.

2. According to the FDA, anything SPF 50 and over has not been shown to be consistant or reliable and tend to have exagerated claims.

3. Many sunscreens with high SPF’s protect against sunburn but not against harmful UVA radiation. Hats, shirts, cover ups,  and common sense are the best protection from the sun.

4. Many sunscreens contain Vitamin A,  retinyl palmitate. The FDA is investigating the effects of the sun and vitamin A, and the damage it can cause to the skin. The FDA studies have shown that retinyl palmitate may accelerate skin damage and elevate the risk of skin cancer. Data is not conclusive, and studies are still on going, but why take the risk.

Also be sure to check your other skin, and wrinkle creams. Many skin creams, even those that claim to be natural, contain Retinyl. Also avoid oxybenzone, it penetrates the skin and is absorbed into the blood stream. This chemical has been found to be a hormone inhibitor.

5. Be mindful and aware of the time in the sun. Don’t avoid it, we do need the vitamin D, but beware of the lofty claims of sunscreens. The FDA has not finalized regulations on sunscreens scince 1978, so who else is going to look out for you but you. Read your labels