Beware of Sunscreen side effects-Is sun Avoidance Risky and Early Death?

Dear Readers, While going out in the sun it is necessary to wear sunscreen. To prevent sunburn, premature aging and skin cancer sun protection is essential. But chemical sunscreens pose risk and can have side effects due to some medications used in them such as phenothiazines, sulfa drugs, tetracyclines etc. Let’s know how to choose the safer sunscreen, other safe sunning tips and Symptoms of side effects which leads to risky diseases.

Is sunscreen Chemical Letha to Horse Shoe Crabs?

Avoid yourself shielding from the rays of the sun by slathering on chemical sunscreens. In which many of them are linked to skin cancer risk, as stated by clinical laboratory scientist Elizabeth Plourde, Ph.D.

A recent symposium highlighted the environmental dangers of emerging environmental contaminants. The environmental dangers associated with the use of sunscreen widely. According to University of Delaware marine biologist Danielle Dixon, oxybenzone chemical in sunscreens is lethal to horseshoe crab eggs. 

Tips How to Use Sunscreen

1. Apply sunscreen all over the skin which is exposed to the sun.

2. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going to get exposed in the sun.

3. It is advised to re-apply the sunscreen after sweating, swimming etc.

4. After every 4 hours re-apply sunscreen it depends on the brand.

Sunscreen Side Effects

Some of the side effects of sunscreen are:

1.Allergic Reaction

The presence of a chemical in sunscreen leads to irritation, swelling, redness, and itching. Few people develop severe allergic reactions like intense itching and rashes. This allergic reaction can be a chemical reaction due to sunscreens such as fragrances and preservatives. PABA present in many commercial sunscreens that leads to allergic reaction. Many reputed brands removed PABA from sunscreen to avoid an allergic reaction.

Sunscreen with the label ‘hypoallergic’ is safe to some extent as other chemicals can lead to an allergic problem. It is better to get a patch test done by a dermatologist before using sunscreen. Sunscreen that contains zinc oxide is less allergic.

2. Sunscreen Makes Acne Worse

Some chemicals in the sunscreen product can worsen an acne problem. In order to avoid such problems, one can choose non-oily and non-comedogenic sunscreens. It is necessary to choose the sunscreen suited for your skin type. Body sunscreens are too heavy so never use it on the face.

3.Irritation in Eyes

If sunscreen gets into eyes it causes irritation and pain. It leads to burning and temporarily sensitive to light. Few studies claim that chemical sunscreens can lead to blindness. If sunscreen gets into the eyes rinse with cool water thoroughly or consults your doctor.

4.Breast Cancer Risk

The ingredients present in sunscreen that can have estrogenic effects on breast cancer cells. Few sunscreens effects directly on blood estrogen levels which is risky. Never use chemical sunscreens on children as children skin absorbs the chemicals instantly.

5.Hairy Area Pain

There are varieties of sunscreen which are available in different forms like lotions, gel, sprays, wax sticks, creams, and ointments. Some people get confused to choose it. For hairy areas like male chest or the scalp gels, sunscreen is best. Some sunscreens lead to dry skin or tighten the skin and can cause pain in hairy areas.

6.Pus in the Hair Follicles

Chemicals in sunscreen lead to itchy spots which develop into bumpy red color rashes. Sometimes these turn into pus-filled blisters around the hair follicles due to chemicals.

Tips to Avoid Sunscreen Side Effects

• If a sunscreen causes irritation or redness wash off immediately and stops using it.
• Before using any new sunscreen consult your doctor or seek expert advice.
• If you are outside in sun for long period of time re-apply sunscreen.
• Lip balm form of sunscreen should apply only on the lip area.
• Choose sunscreen very carefully for children.
• Never use sunscreen on 6 months kids.
• For oily skin choose a non-comedogenic and oil-free sunscreen.
• Always try to choose natural products which are free of chemicals.
• To prevent estrogenic effects and allergic reaction chooses titanium oxide or zinc oxide-based sunscreens.

Choose Safer Sunscreen for the Skin

There are so many sunscreens available on the market and it is difficult to find a safe one. The majority of sunscreen is risky for pregnant women, infants, and kids which contains endocrine disruptors. These can disrupt development and growth, leads to early puberty, and result in low sperm count and small testicle size in boys.

Never use sunscreens which contain oxybenzone, retinyl palmitate, and synthetic fragrances. The safe choice is cream or lotion with zinc oxide. It gives the best protection from UVA rays and it is stable. Next best choice is titanium dioxide.

Make sure the product

• Protects the skin from UVB and UVA rays
• Nano-sized particles not available in that product

SPF protects the skin only from UVB rays; within the ultraviolet spectrum which allows the skin to produce vitamin, D. UVA rays are dangerous which cause skin damage and cancer. Never use SPF above 50 sunscreens as it does not provide a much greater protection.

As per research stated by experts’ people using high SPF, sunscreens get the same amount of exposure to UV rays as those using lower SPF products.

Safe Sunning Tips

Spending in the sun regularly with simple precautions to protect yourself from overexposure is good to get health benefits.

1.Before applying sunscreen give your body the chance to produce vitamin D. daily expose 40 percent of the body to sunlight for a short period of time. Vitamin D reduces the risk of melanoma and internal cancers.

2. Stay out in sunlight in the early hours of the day for a short period of time. Apply safe sunscreen on the face or use hat to protect the facial skin from sun damage. Facial skin is thin and sun damage may lead to premature aging wrinkles.

3.If you are in the sunlight for long period of time cover up with clothing, hat, natural shade or umbrella. After optimizing daily vitamin D production a safe sunscreen can be applied on the face.

4. To avoid sun damage consume natural antioxidants diet. To maintain a healthy balance of omega-6 animal based DHA omega-3oils in your skin consume fresh, raw, unprocessed foods which deliver full of nutrients. It protects the skin against sunburn.

To protect the skin from sunburn and cancer consume fresh vegetables. It provides antioxidants which help to fight against free radicals caused by sun damage.

Is Sun Avoidance as Risky as Smoking

As per one study, more than 25,500 Sweden women between the age of 25 and 64 were observed for 20 years. Their sun exposure habits and confounding factors analyzed in a competing risk scenario. Women with regular sun exposure found to have a high risk for melanoma compared to sun avoiders. They also had a lower mortality risk due to vitamin D increased levels.

According to the researchers, women with sun exposure habits are having a low risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer compared to sun avoiders.

Nonsmokers who avoided sun exposure completely had a lifespan similar to highest sun exposure smoker group.

Getting regular, sensible sun exposure on the bare skin provides optimal physical and psychological health. It also helps to prevent chronic diseases. As stated in a scientific review by dermatologist Dr. Richard Weller, to get cardiovascular benefits to sun exposure is best. Sun exposure within the limit and early daytime are better.

Sun exposure provides tremendous benefits. Few important properties of spending time in sun include:

1. Subcutaneous fat metabolism increased

2. Pain killing properties

3.Human lifespan regulation.

4. Evening alertness improves with daytime sun exposure.

5.Metabolic energy conversion.

Hazardous Chemicals Present in Sunscreens

As per Researchers like Dixon note some sunscreen manufacturers have switched from oxybenzone to avobenzone without any study confirmation. Dixon stated avobenzone is not safe.

As per research by the center for disease control and prevention found 96 percent U.S population has oxybenzone in their bodies. This is the cause of reduced sperm count in men and endometriosis in women in the U.S.

It is stated other chemicals found in 70 percent of sunscreens that that can enter the bloodstream. It causes toxic side effects and hormone disruption.

Sunscreens contain vitamin A or retinyl palmitate and retinol which lead to skin cancer by increasing the speed at which malignant cells develop and spread.

Nanoparticles Effect

Sunscreen sprays release toxic particles into the air. Inhaling this product is risky for children and adults.

Zinc oxide and titanium oxide often used in spray-on sunscreen products. These are safest as long as they are not nanosized but inhaling them is harmful.

As per other studies nanoparticles are able to cross the blood-brain barrier. If nanoparticles entered into lungs or penetrate the skin cause widespread damage to cells and organs, nervous system, immune system, brain, and heart.

As per some scientists that the toxic effect of nanoparticles depends on their size is being in the range of a virus, which will trigger the body’s immune system.

Do let me know your feedback and any tip related to the above topic in the below comment box.