In an already baffling sun protection industry, it doesn’t get more confusing than the sunscreen itself. And its safety.
Environmental advocates, scientists, dermatologists and the FDA battle in the war against or for sunscreen. Is there a winner?
It’s time to shed light on one of the most disturbing issues hounding the sun protection industry’s hero: sunscreen.
The Issue: Sunscreens Don’t Work
The Current Resolve: The Food and Drug Administration has vehemently denied these allegations and are firm in their stand that Sunscreen is crucial to the complete skin cancer prevention regimen, even for Rich Complexions. One dermatologist points out that broad spectrum, meaning protection from both UVA and UVB ray, can do its job well when it has been photostabilized using the latest technology. Currently, the FDA recommends photostabilized Avobenzone among others to do that job.
The right application is necessary for sunscreen to work. How much is necessary for a sunscreen to work? It depends on the amount of sun exposure. If you think you will be outside during the hottest time of day or for hours under the sun, apply a full shot glass or an ounce of lotion, and spread it on your exposed skin. Re-apply every two hours.
The Issue: There Are Cancer Causing Chemicals In Sunscreens
The Current Resolve: Vitamin A is just one of the chemicals in hot seat, blamed for causing cancer in rats. A board of dermatologists disagreed and stated that mice aren’t humans. Oxybenzone, the UV blocker, is another fugitive chemical wanted for disrupting hormones, another allegation based on the crime it did to mice, which is questionable for most. Those who opposed say: mice were given more than what is minimally present in sunscreens.
The Issue: Sunscreens Block Vitamin D
The Current Resolve: There’s nothing to resolve because no study has proven this. This is a controversy, not a fact. To resolve the Vitamin D issue though, doctors recommend taking Vitamin D supplements or try consuming foods such as lean meat, fish , eggs and other fortified products that contain the sunshine Vitamin, because this Vitamin isn’t exclusively from the sun.
What Everyone Agrees On: Wear sun protective gear
Hats, sun glasses and clothing offer protection. However, no one has argued that they can block UV rays in all cases, so use sunscreen as well. A full sun protection regimen never fails to have these elements, despite the sunscreen controversy.
Allegations about sunscreen causing skin cancer and other health threats instead of protecting skin are a scary thought — if it was at all, true.
Having an EXTRASHADE on your skin is not just about sun protection, it’s about living to the fullest without fear.