Sunscreen Myths Debunked; Expert Warns Against 'Dangerous' Sun Protection Ideas That Only Puts One at Added Risk

Sunscreens are helpful and an expert recommends its use. This is amid viral trends on social media claiming that daily sunscreen is more harmful than exposure to direct sun.

Sun Protection Myths Debunked

In a new national survey, Rajesh Nair, an oncology surgeon at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, and his team discovered that young adults are prone to accepting falsehoods and misinformation regarding sun protection. For example, 14% of individuals between 18 and 35 think that sunscreen reduces the hazards associated with sun exposure.

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

The most alarming information he has seen spread is that sunscreen has so many drawbacks that it's preferable to put oneself at a much-increased risk of developing several different skin cancers in addition to melanoma. The prevalence of melanoma in young individuals is rising, and a simple sunscreen application can significantly reduce the risk of potentially fatal complications.

In addition to disinformation about sunscreen's safety, the investigation brought to light a number of alarming tendencies that offered "natural" sun protection. For instance, almost 1 in 4 people under 35 think that drinking water helps shield you from sunburn. According to Nair, there is no scientific evidence that drinking water may shield you from the sun.

Since sunscreen is categorized as an over-the-counter medication in the US, the FDA is required to keep a tight eye on it. It has been established that zinc oxide and titanium oxide, two prominent components in sunscreens, are widely acknowledged to be safe and effective. Avobenzone, oxybenzone, and homosalate are among the other 12 substances that have not been given this classification since there is "inadequate data to support a safety finding."

Although there are lots of mineral-based sunscreens without these ingredients, if you are at all concerned, this does not imply that they are inherently dangerous.

He also debunked myths that one application is enough. The expert stressed that sunscreen should be applied after every two hours or when one gets wet or sweat.

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Sunscreen Protects One From Skin Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, up to 3 million Americans receive a skin cancer diagnosis each year, making it the most frequent type of cancer in the country. Melanoma is the most lethal type of skin cancer and the primary cause of skin cancer mortality.

Based on information from the US. The United States has seen a steady rise in melanoma prevalence since 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, melanoma is the third most common cancer diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 39, despite the fact that its risk increases with age.

The majority of skin malignancies are brought on by excessive UV radiation exposure from tanning beds or the sun. Despite this, only roughly 1 in 8 men and 1 in 3 women over the age of 18 use sunscreen when spending more than an hour outside in the sun.

Sunscreens offer skin protection. They are crucial in preventing the skin from absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

In addition to causing skin damage, UV radiation can cause sunburns and skin cancer. No sunscreen completely blocks UV rays. However, they extend the amount of time you may spend outside before your skin becomes red.

Thus, wearing sunscreen doesn't mean you can spend as much time as you want outside because prolonged exposure can still damage your skin cells.