Scientists Debunk ‘Really Dangerous’ Myths About Sun Protection

Doctors have issued a warning over “deadly” sun protection trends on social media after a new study found 1 in 7 Americans under 35 think daily sunscreen use is more harmful than direct sun exposure.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with as many as 3 million people being diagnosed with skin cancer every year, according to the American Cancer Society. The most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma, which accounts for the large majority of skin cancer deaths.

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, melanoma rates have steadily increased in the U.S. since 1999. And while the risk of melanoma increases as we age, it is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer between the ages of 25 and 39.

Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to UV radiation, from the sun or tanning beds. And yet, only about 1 in 8 men and 1 in 3 women over the age of 18 wear sunscreen when they’re outside on a sunny day for more than an hour.

“I think a lot of people don’t like how sunscreen makes their skin feel,” Rajesh Nair, an oncology surgeon at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, told Newsweek. “Especially for those who have naturally oily skin, sunscreen can make the skin feel worse or exacerbate acne. There have [also] been concerns raised about certain chemicals some sunscreens have. [But] the bottom line is that the benefits sunscreen confers far outweighs the downsides.”

In the U.S., sunscreen is classified as an over-the-counter drug, which means it must be closely monitored by the FDA. Two common sunscreen ingredients—zinc oxide and titanium oxide—have been confirmed to be generally recognized as safe and effective. However, a further twelve ingredients, including avobenzene, oxybenzone and homosalate, have not been granted this status due to “inadequate data to support a safety finding.”

This does not mean that they are necessarily unsafe, but if you are at all concerned, there are plenty of mineral-based sunscreens that do not contain these chemicals.

“There are two main types of sunscreen; barrier and chemical. Barrier sunscreens sit on the surface of the skin and reflect the damaging UV radiation,” Nair said. “Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and convert the radiation into heat which is then dissipated. Chemical sunscreens tend to be a little bit more durable and resistant to sweat and being in the water. Barrier sunscreens typically carry less concern regarding the toxicity of the chemicals within them.”

For now, the safety risks of not wearing sunscreen far outweigh any potential concerns surrounding its ingredients. But this is not always reflected on social media.

“The main concerning information I see disseminated is that the downsides of sunscreen are so terrible, it is better to put yourself at a very high risk not only for melanoma but multiple other skin cancers,” Nair said. “We are seeing melanoma so much more often in really young people and the simple application of sunscreen can go such a long way in preventing life-threatening problems.”

In a new national survey by Orlando Health Cancer, Nair and his team found that young adults are likely to believe myths and misinformation around sun protection, with 14 percent of 18- to 35-year-olds believing the risks of sunscreen outweigh the dangers of sun exposure.

“People buy into a lot of really dangerous ideas that put them at added risk,” Nair said.

As well as misinformation regarding the safety of sunscreen, the study also highlighted several concerning trends promising “natural” sun protection. For example, nearly 1 in 4 under-35s believe drinking water prevents sunburn.

“There is no scientific data suggesting that drinking water provides any protection from the sun,” Nair said.

But even those who do religiously wear sunscreen might be putting it on wrong.

“It is important to apply the sunscreen a good amount of time before you plan on being outdoors,” Nair said. “It takes at least 15 minutes for your skin to truly absorb the sunscreen and offer the protection you want.

“The other thing we all are guilty of forgetting is reapplication. At a minimum, sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours and should certainly be reapplied if you get wet in the water or are sweating.”

Nair also recommended the following tips:

• Use SPF 30 or above rating.
• Look for something that is water-resistant and protects you from UVA and UVB rays.
• Avoid tanning beds
• Cover your skin with clothing and a hat to reduce your risk of sun exposure.

“We don’t want to discourage people from being outside and being active because there are so many health benefits to that, but it’s also important to know that sun protection can be lifesaving, and the only effective way of protecting yourself is limiting the effects of UV radiation on the skin,” Nair said.