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07/18/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/18/2024 20:01

Do You Really Need to Wear Sunscreen

Do You Really Need to Wear Sunscreen?

The answer is a resounding "yes," dermatologists say, despite what you may see on social media

Despite claims from some social media influencers that you don't need to apply sunscreen, everyone does need to wear it. When it comes to best practices, the rules haven't changed much: apply SPF 30 or higher every two hours, and give yourself 15 minutes for it to absorb before heading outside. Photo via iStock/Javi Sanz

Public Health

Do You Really Need to Wear Sunscreen?

The answer is a resounding "yes," dermatologists say, despite what you may see on social media

July 18, 2024
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You may have noticed a trend popping up on your social media feeds this summer: posts that claim you don't need to wear sunscreen and that label certain kinds of sunscreen as toxic or question if sunscreen does more harm than good.

The misinformation-and it is misinformation, experts say-is largely led by influencers who are adverse to the chemicals in sunscreen or who believe that wearing sunscreen is unnatural. Some of their claims center around the idea that eating antioxidant-rich foods make sunscreen unnecessary. Others argue, wrongly, that the active ingredients in chemical sunscreens, which work by absorbing UV rays into the skin before releasing them, can end up in the bloodstream in toxic concentrations.

Dermatologists have voiced alarm about the impact this misinformation is having, especially among young Americans. According to one survey, nearly one in seven under 35 believe that using sunscreen daily is more dangerous for their skin than direct sun exposure. Another 23 percent believe that staying hydrated alone prevents sunburn.

The bottom line: there's no amount of fruits, veggies, or water you consume that would negate the need for sunscreen, health experts say. And the ingredients in chemical sunscreens-such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, or avobenzone-are not toxic unless you're physically ingesting them.

What is toxic, however: not wearing sunscreen whenever you spend time outside, which is vital to preventing skin cancer and the other harmful effects of UV damage.

"We know that excessive sun exposure leads to premature aging and skin cancers," says Boston Medical Center dermatologist Neelam Vashi, an associate professor of dermatology at Boston University's Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and the director of BU's Center for Ethnic Skin.

Over time, sun exposure can lead to signs of aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, roughened skin texture, and hyperpigmentation like sun spots or melasma. Treating them can necessitate expensive and invasive cosmetic procedures, says Vashi, who also directs the Cosmetic and Laser Center at BMC and has studied what motivates sun-protective habits. But melanoma and other skin cancers are the real cause for concern-and no one is immune, young people included.

Unlike many other cancers, which tend to develop later in life, skin cancer can strike at any age. "I see 30-year-old patients getting skin cancer," Vashi says.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States: at least one in five Americans will develop it in their lifetime. Skin cancers-which include basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas and the more dangerous melanoma-can impact individuals of any skin color. An estimated 20 Americans die from melanoma every day.

Genetics does play a part in your susceptibility, Vashi says. But damage from sun exposure is cumulative over a lifetime. And once you've had a cancerous growth, you're at an increased risk of developing more down the line.

Having a growth removed from your body can be a grueling experience, Vashi cautions. "Non-melanoma cancers, while not as life-threatening, can require big surgeries to remove them," she says "That can be very morbid and disfiguring, especially when they're located on the face," which is a common spot for carcinomas to develop.

Don't think having a base tan will save you: any amount of pigment change means that sun damage has already occurred. That's true no matter your skin color-while having more melanin in your skin provides at least a little sun-protection factor, Vashi says (studies show the darkest skin tones have a natural SPF of around 13.4), it's still possible to develop carcinomas and melanomas on top of hyperpigmentation.

"I definitely see skin cancers in my patients with ethnic skin-and when they present, they often present more aggressively [than in lighter-skinned patients]," she says. Read more about dark skin and sun protection here.

So what can you do to keep yourself safe?

Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher whenever you go out, making sure to reapply every two hours. Stick to lotion for your first application (to make sure you really cover everything, Vashi says), and wait 15 minutes for the sunscreen to absorb before heading outside. It's also smart to cover up with long sleeves and floppy hats, and to seek out shade when the sun is at its strongest.

When it comes to picking a sunscreen, Vashi recommends finding a formulation that you like and sticking to it. If you're concerned about chemicals or have sensitive skin, opt for mineral formulas. Mineral, or physical, sunscreens work by physically blocking UV rays and are gentler on the skin than their chemical counterparts. (One potential culprit for sunscreen misinformation: avobenzone, found in many chemical sunscreens, is a common allergen, she notes.) Find our guide to choosing the right sunscreen for your skin here.

Of course, sun exposure does have health benefits. It's important to find a balance between getting your dose of vitamin D and not incurring irreversible sun damage, Vashi says.

And as always, remain aware of where your information is coming from. With the sheer amount of content on the internet, it can be hard to sort through what's valid and what's junk science. "Sure, you can do your own research, but remember that people can say whatever they want online," Vashi says. For influencers with large platforms in particular, "their words can become quite meaningful and they can end up swaying people to do things that aren't good for one's health."

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  • Alene Bouranova

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    Alene Bouranova is a Pacific Northwest native and a BU alum (COM'16). After earning a BS in journalism, she spent four years at Boston magazine writing, copyediting, and managing production for all publications. These days, she covers campus happenings, current events, and more for BU Today. Fun fact: she's still using her Terrier card from 2013. When she's not writing about campus, she's trying to lose her Terrier card so BU will give her a new one. She lives in Cambridge with her plants. Profile

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