Well it is summertime, the most important time to use sunscreen daily, and the worst time to scare the general public about “possible” serious side effects from using it!
Recent Reports in the media quote a recent study saying that sunscreen containing Retinly Palmitate, a Vitamin A derivative, causes cancer in rats! Rats…NOT humans! Studies in the past discovered that Benzoyl Peroxide, the highly effective and widely used medication for the treatment of acne also caused cancer in rats. Further studies revealed that it was SAFE for humans! The present studies about sunscreen causing cancer are few, and more research needs to be done. Clinical evidence does document that sunscreen reduces skin cancer risk. We have years of solid research demonstrating that sunscreen clearly decreases skin cancer and we know that it’s an effective protection against cancer.
The other bogus scare going around is that by using sunscreen, you are preventing the body from manufacturing enough Vitamin D, possible causing weak bones. Very little UV rays are needed by the body to produce Vitamin D, easily obtained by very short stints in the sunlight when it is safest, early in the morning or later in the day. Also there are so many foods chock full of Vitamin D, like many dairy products, oily fish and fruits and vegetables. Daily reasonable consumption of these foods provide adequate amounts for your body even if you were locked in your windowless basement. If you are really phobic about the sun and don’t like the foods described, vitamins containing Vitamin D may be taken daily.
The bottom line. Use sun screen religiously( see previous blog)! It will help prevent skin cancer and help you avoid premature aging!
Read more: http://wellness.blogs.time.com/2010/06/15/dermatology-sussing-a-sunscreen-cancer-risk/#ixzz0uYEeX0DK
