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MILAN, ITALY. There is growing evidence that the use of sunscreens tends to increase the time spent in
the sun, thereby possibly increasing the risk of cutaneous melanoma. A team of researchers from the
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer now reports that people who use sunscreens
with higher sun protection factors (SPFs) tend to spend more time in the sun than do people who use
sunscreens with lower SPFs. The study that was conducted in June 1998 involved 58 participants aged 18
to 24 years who were on their summer vacation. Forty-four of the participants were instructed in the use of
personal dosimeters that accurately measured their exposure to UVA and UVB solar radiation. All
participants were instructed to keep a daily log of their sun exposure and were randomized to one of two
groups. The first group was given a 30 SPF sunscreen to use during their vacation while the second group
was given a 10 SPF sunscreen.
The researchers found that the group using the 30 SPF sunscreen spent 25 per cent more time in the sun
than did the group using the 10 SPF sunscreen. This increase was paralleled by an increase in daily UVB
exposure. Those using the 30 SPF sunscreen that did not experience sunburn spent the highest number of
hours sunbathing out of all the participants. Experiencing sunburn markedly decreased time spent in the
sun in both the 10 SPF and the 30 SPF groups. The researchers conclude that the use of a 30 SPF
sunscreen tends to maximize UVB exposure and that the absence of sunburn encourages longer
sunbathing sessions. In other words, high SPF sunscreens provide a false sense of security. |
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