EDITORIAL – AUGUST 2001

At this time of the year I receive numerous enquiries concerning the use of sunscreens. The "official" advice given by dermatologists and other physicians is still that sunlight should be avoided as much as possible and sunscreens should be slathered on as thickly as possible. It is unfortunate indeed that this advice is largely wrong and could be highly detrimental to your health. There are three major reasons for this.

• Several studies have confirmed that people who use sunscreens tend to spend more time in the sun than do people who do not use sunscreens. Since sunscreens protect only against sunburn, but not against melanoma and most skin cancers, this is a bad thing.
• Norwegian and Swiss researchers report that chemical sunscreens using octylmethoxycinnamate, benzophenone-3, octyl-demethyl-PABA and similar compounds are highly toxic and make cancer cells grow faster. They advise against using them and suggest that if you must use a sunscreen use a zinc oxide based one.
• Total avoidance of sunlight is unhealthy because it is likely to result in a vitamin D deficiency. There is ample evidence that this can lead to muscle cramps, osteoporosis, breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer. Remember that sunscreens not only protect against sunburn, but also inhibit the normal synthesis of vitamin-D in the skin.

So what to do? Make sure you get at least 30 minutes of unprotected sun exposure every day. Stay out of the sun (even on cloudy days) between 10 AM and 3 PM as much as possible. Use a wide-brimmed hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses when you are outside in the summer, and if necessary, use a zinc oxide based sunscreen to protect exposed areas such as the nose and ears.

If you want to read my article "Sunscreens: Do They Cause Skin Cancer?" you can find it at http://www.yourhealthbase.com/sunscreens.html. It was written in 1994, but is still as applicable as it was then.