- A section of the Internet is trying to turn people against using sunscreen. Several viral videos claim that materials in chemical sunscreen (such as oxybenzone and adaptation) are absorbed through the skin and can cause a series of health issues. But what a dermatologist says?
- Claim
- FDA recommends sunscreen application
- Dermats cut viral claims
- Still worried?
Is sunscreen harmful? Experts cut viral myths and set the record straight
A section of the Internet is trying to turn people against using sunscreen. Several viral videos claim that materials in chemical sunscreen (such as oxybenzone and adaptation) are absorbed through the skin and can cause a series of health issues. But what a dermatologist says?
Sunscreen is a skincare staple – just ask any dermatologist. While you may not have seen your parents using growing up, experts now recommend wearing sunscreen throughout the year. According to health professionals, all over six months of age should be used daily.
But it is not enough to apply it once – re -application is important. Sunscreen must be re -applied every 3 to 4 hours to ensure frequent protection from the Sun’s UVA and UVB rays. But why is that security so important in the first place? Well, it helps in preventing skin cancer, premature aging and pigmentation.
Due to increase in awareness, India has also seen an increase in sunscreen use. According to a report, the size of the Indian sunscreen market by Value is expected to reach USD 1,256 million by 2030. In 2023, it was estimated at USD 879.12 million. By the way, asking someone to wear sunscreen is seen as love in pop culture.
A section of the Internet, by contrast, is trying to turn people against using sunscreen. Several viral videos claim that materials in chemical sunscreen – such as oxybenzone and advenzone – are absorbed through the skin and can cause a series of health issues including cancer, endocrine disruption and damage to the kidney and liver.
Watch such a video here:
For unknown, there are essentially two types of sunscreen – minerals and chemicals.
Mineral sunscreen contains active mineral elements such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that sit on top of the skin and physically block UV rays. They can leave a white residue on the skin.
On the other hand, chemical sunscreen, sponge-like high-energy absorbs UV rays and prevent them from damaging the skin. They contain one or more active ingredients such as octocrillin, oxybenzone, advengeon, octicalat, etc.
Now combination sunscreen is also available in the market.
Claim
Some affected argue that chemical sunscreen, especially with oxybenzone, advengone, octinoxet and similar materials, are: They are:
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Absorbing
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Hormonal (endocrine) is associated with disintegration
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Potential carcinogenic
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Liver, kidney and even harmful to reproductive health
The viral video that discouraged the use of sunscreen quotes was found in research by a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that six active ingredients in various chemical sunscreen (Evobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrillin, homosalelets, octicalat and octinoxet) were absorbed in the blindstream after the application.
Does this mean that the FDA discourages the use of sunscreen, or chemical sunscreen that includes these materials? There is no answer. Even dermatologists call these viral videos a classic case of fear.
FDA recommends sunscreen application
The FDA states that absorption is not equal to the risk and recommends continuous use of sunscreen. It has requested the industry to confirm the safety of active ingredients in sunscreen.
The findings of these studies do not mean that the FDA has concluded that any tested components are unsafe, nor indicate the FDA request for further information.
Dermats cut viral claims
When? India digital today Talked to many dermatologists, the consensus was clear: nothing is wrong in using sunscreen – in fact, it is absolutely necessary.
1. Chemical absorption:
“Some ingredients can enter the bloodstream, but there is no evidence that they harm these levels. If you are worried, use mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), do not enter the skin,” Dr. Kiran Seeri, MD, writer and the founder of Isya aesthetics.
Dr. Geetika Srivastava, Dermatologist and Founder of Influence Skin and Hair Clinic, Delhi, further explains:
“Despite the presence of these sunscreen particles scars in the blood, they have not created any harmful effects in any major organs, or even in a mounting fetus, or in a person like this. Some amount of any cream is applied to sunscreen-only sunscreen-when it is applied to the top, it does not affect any biological function. That is why the use of chemical sunscreen does not need to be fulfilled.
2. Sunscreen causes cancer?
Many reels suggest that the number of cancer cases has increased significantly since the use of sunscreen became widespread and popular. However, doctors deny this claim.
Dr. Says Deepli Bhardwaj, “Skin cancer is often a result of not using sunscreen properly – such as not making enough applications, or not re -applying it regularly.”
Dr. According to Srivastava, there are three primary reasons behind this trend:
– “Sunscreen use behavior pattern – People think that they have applied sunscreen, so they feel that the risk of the sun is secure for a long time – photocosinogenesis leads to.
– Increase in population: Our population is increasing rapidly, so the number of complete cancer will also increase.
– Increased screening: Nowadays more cancer screening is being done, so more cases are being detected.
If you do properly research in scientific magazines, it proves that the risk of melanoma after the use of sunscreen has increased due to the behavioral pattern of sunscreen users – for example, spending more time in the sun thinking that they are fully preserved – and not due to sunscreen. ,
3. Endocrine disintegration:
“Some studies suggest that sunscreen materials can disrupt the level of thyroid hormone, testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. However, these are initial studies with low level evidence. Such claims cannot be confirmed only through random controlled tests, which are not yet. Srivastavas.
Some of the commonly reported issues involved in some individuals involve phototoxic reactions, photollergic reactions, and contact dermatitis.
Still worried?
If you are still not sure about using a chemical sunscreen, you can use a mineral. This is the safest condition.
Currently, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – material used in physical sunscreen (also known as mineral sunscreen) – is confirmed by the FDA to be safe and effective.
Just remember that you will need a large amount of product when using mineral sunscreen and it leaves a white artists.
Dermats recommend using a combination sunscreen. Or, you can also alternate between using a mineral and chemical sunscreen.
“When you are out and when you are out, when you are outside, use mineral sunscreen and not for the sun, and chemical sunscreen, when you are out and require more cosmetic or broad-spectrum protection. All this is about balance and informed options,” Dr. Bharadavaj says, which himself uses a sunscreen that includes adabenzone.
“The best option is mineral sunblock such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, but many people dislike white artists that they leave behind. Therefore, you can seek chemical sunscreen, in which they do not contain the ingredients that they are present. Dr. Sethi.
