Did you know that sunscreen use has been linked to cases of melanoma? Well, according to UK researchers that’s a fact. Here’s an article fromMassageTherapy.comthat was originally posted in 2000:
A mismatch of expectation and realization. That is said to be a reason why sunscreen use is a risk factor in melanoma. Researcher Brian Diffey, of the UK’s Newcastle General Hospital, said the SPF numbering system on sunscreens is misleading people into believing the numbers actually indicate how much longer it takes the skin to burn than unprotected skin. His comments find merit as Americans went from spending $18 million on sunscreen products in 1972 to $500 million in 1996, whilerisk of melanoma has gone from 1 in 1,500 people in 1930 to an expected 1 in 75this year. In a Reuters Health January 2000 report, Diffey cites a study which found that “people who say they usually or always use sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher are more likely to burn than those who rarely or never use sunscreen.” The reason? Diffey believes most people apply less sunscreen than used in manufacturers’ tests, miss areas of their bodies, and overexpose themselves to the sun on the belief of ultimate protection.
Hmmm, this is really interesting. I thought that melanoma had more to do with the kinds of chemical vs. mineral ingredients used in sunscreen, but I didn't know that it could be attributed to misuse of sunscreen based on SPF numbers. I wish that more sunscreens had an explanation of what those SPF numbers mean because I think that people tend to overstate their importance.
For the best info on sunscreen, check out Environmental Working Group's 2009 Sunscreen Guide: http://www.ewg.org/cosmetics/report/sunscreen09
With over 1500 products, now including lip balm and moisturizer, it's the best resource for finding safe and effective sunscreen. (Especially considering 3/5 of the products analyzed were found to provide inadequate protection or contain potentially harmful ingredients.)
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Did you know that sunscreen use has been linked to cases of melanoma? Well, according to UK researchers that’s a fact. Here’s an article fromMassageTherapy.comthat was originally posted in 2000:
A mismatch of expectation and realization. That is said to be a reason why sunscreen use is a risk factor in melanoma. Researcher Brian Diffey, of the UK’s Newcastle General Hospital, said the SPF numbering system on sunscreens is misleading people into believing the numbers actually indicate how much longer it takes the skin to burn than unprotected skin. His comments find merit as Americans went from spending $18 million on sunscreen products in 1972 to $500 million in 1996, whilerisk of melanoma has gone from 1 in 1,500 people in 1930 to an expected 1 in 75this year. In a Reuters Health January 2000 report, Diffey cites a study which found that “people who say they usually or always use sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher are more likely to burn than those who rarely or never use sunscreen.” The reason? Diffey believes most people apply less sunscreen than used in manufacturers’ tests, miss areas of their bodies, and overexpose themselves to the sun on the belief of ultimate protection.
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beauty,cancer,healthy