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Can
sunscreen cause cancer?
You may have seen stories in the media regarding a study claiming
that sunscreen do not help protect a person from skin cancer. According
to an epidemiological review of ten previously published studies,
presented at an American Association of the Advancement of Science
meeting in Philadelphia, February 1998, by Dr. Marianne Berwick,
an epidemiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New
York, “based on the evidence, we conclude that sunburn itself
probably does not cause melanoma, but that it is an important sign
of excessive sun exposure, particularly among those who are genetically
susceptible because of their skin type.”
Ongoing
debate
Dermatologists have debated for some time whether or not sun exposure
is related to skin melanomas, so there is conflicting information
for this deadly form of skin cancer. The importance of protecting
skin from UVA rays (skin-cancer and wrinkle-causing rays) as well
as UVB rays (sun burning rays) has now been demonstrated. It is
only recently that cosmetics chemists have started formulating sunscreen
with ingredients that can protect equally from both UVB and UVA
damage. People who used traditional sunscreens over that ten-year
period were putting their skin at risk because they were getting
sunburn protection only, while still being exposed to harmful UVA
rays. At the time, UVB sunburn-preventing products were so effective
that people stayed out longer than they might ever have before,
thus exposing their skin to the sun’s more damaging UVA rays
for longer periods of time.
Types
of skin
Studies also abound regarding the appearance of thickened, yellowed,
mottled, sun-damaged skin versus the smooth, even, wrinkle-free
appearance of someone who has stayed out of the sun; the contrast
is a classic in dermatological annals. Staying completely out of
the sun isn’t possible (nor would it be healthy). However,
good sun protection is, at the very least essential for reducing
or stopping the damage that causes most of the wrinkles we see on
our skin, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and very
likely melanoma.
Neutrogena
Inten-sified Day Moisture SPF 15 is a lightweight, dermatologist-tested
highly moisturising, non greasy cream, which provides an immediate
surge of moisture. Dry skin is moisturised for 12 hours, even under
make-up. It’s PABA-free, SPF 15, UVB/UVA sun protection that
helps prevent premature signs of ageing. It is non-comedogenic,
hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free. |
