Should
You Really Avoid Sunscreen?
Recently, there has been quite a hubbub in
the world of skincare, with many people suggesting that rather than
use sunscreen regularly, as has been advised for years, the public
actually avoid sunscreen. Before you make a decision to use or to
avoid sunscreen, it’s necessary to learn both sides of the
issue.
There are two main arguments behind the advice to avoid sunscreen:
first, chemicals in the sunscreen may cause health issues, and second,
that sunscreen blocks the body’s ability to make Vitamin D.
Those who support the idea to avoid sunscreen claim that the chemicals
in sunscreen can not only cause the release of free radicals, but
also that these chemicals themselves can cause cancer. Further,
another reason given to avoid sunscreen is the assertion that it
reduces your body’s capacity to make Vitamin D, which is an
essential nutrient for bone, teeth, and overall health.
However, when you consider that skin cancer, often caused by over-exposure
to UV radiation, is the most common form of cancer in the United
States, it becomes clear why rather than avoid sunscreen dermatologists
and doctors worldwide have advised its use for years. Meanwhile,
rickets, which is caused by Vitamin D deficiency, is nearly unheard
of in the U.S. In fact, even the National Institute of Health’s
Office of Dietary Supplements calls rickets “a rare disease
in the United States.” Further, the American Cancer Society
actually recommends, rather than avoid sunscreen, to use sunscreen
as part of a sun protection program, saying that the best way to
avoid non-melanoma skin cancer is to limit UV exposure. Although
Vitamin D is indeed an exceptionally important vitamin for health,
it is not necessary to avoid sunscreen because of concern for Vitamin
D production. In fact, the ACS says on their website that “most
people need only about 15 minutes a day, 3 times a week of sun exposure
to make enough Vitamin D.”
Beyond the reasons mentioned above, there is always the fact that
the idea to avoid sunscreen is quite new, while many studies have
been done on the safety of sunscreen, and the advice to use it has
been given for years. Whether you choose to use or to avoid sunscreen,
it’s important to make sure you are informed on all sides
of the issue.
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