Common sunscreen myths, debunked

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the persistent spread of misinformation about sunscreen and sun exposure on social media, despite the well-established science linking sun exposure to skin cancer. It explores the reasons behind the public's susceptibility to these false claims, as well as the challenges in communicating effective sun safety messaging.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Sun Safety Fallacies and Misinformation

1. What are some of the common misconceptions about sunscreen and sun exposure that continue to spread on social media?

• The claim that "sunscreen is worse for you than skin cancer" or "sunscreen causes skin cancer" is one of the most persistent and widespread misconceptions.
• Another common falsehood is that sunscreen use is linked to the rise in melanoma rates in the US, despite the lack of evidence to support this claim.

2. What factors contribute to the public's susceptibility to these misleading claims?

• People's innate suspicion of synthetic chemicals, combined with the perception that the sun is "natural", makes them more inclined to believe claims against sunscreen.
• The lack of consistent and strong public health messaging about sun safety in the US, compared to countries like Australia, has led to a general lack of public understanding on the topic.
• Skin cancer is perceived as a smaller public health concern in the US, reducing the urgency for people to follow sun safety guidance.

3. How does the approach to sun safety messaging in Australia differ from the US?

• Australian public health authorities have attempted to balance strong sun safety education with messaging encouraging a modest amount of sun exposure, recognizing the benefits of UV radiation.
• The Australian guidelines provide more nuanced recommendations, taking into account factors like skin tone and location, rather than a "one-size-fits-all" approach.
• In contrast, some US dermatologists have been criticized for recommending overly strict sunscreen use, even in situations where it may not be necessary.

[02] Sunscreen Types and Effectiveness

1. What are the two main categories of sunscreens, and how do they work?

• Mineral sunscreens rely on physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect the sun's rays.
• Chemical sunscreens contain substances that the skin absorbs, which then absorb the sun's radiation.

2. What are the key points about the FDA's guidelines and research on chemical sunscreen ingredients?

• In 2019, the FDA established a very low threshold for the amount of chemical sunscreen ingredients that would require further study to determine if their absorption had any effects.
• The data published the following year showed that all the chemicals tested exceeded this threshold, leading to concerns about their safety.
• However, the findings did not invalidate the existing safety data on these products, but rather indicated a need for more research to understand the significance of the absorption levels.

3. How do high-SPF sunscreens compare to SPF 50 in terms of effectiveness?

• High-SPF sunscreens (above 50) are actually better than SPF 50, as they provide more protection in areas where the sunscreen application is uneven or incomplete.
• This is because in those areas, an imperfectly applied SPF 100 sunscreen will still offer more protection than an SPF 50 sunscreen.