The Sunscreen Conundrum

[Nastasska]

I was searching around for brands of organic sunscreen and came across this.Now I'm perturbered what do you think of this article?
It's an important issue and I'd love to hear what you all think

http://www.terressentials.com/truthaboutsunscreens.html

[Nat242]

Interesting question. Sun protection concerns me a great deal, because I burn very easily and *never* tan. Burn, peel, white again. That's me! And, I live in Australia, the country with the most skin cancer victims (an ad has recently called it our 'National Cancer'. Nice)

I think the best method is really, to cover up. Hat, long sleeved shirt, sarong, sunnies - that's me at the beach. Not hot, but have you ever seen melanoma? Not hot either.

As for whether or not sunscreen causes cancer and the other claims in that article? I did not see them cite any scientific studies from reputable, peer-reviewed journals, so I wonder where they got this information.

I too am interested in using fewer synthetic chemicals, but I'm not going to give up sunscreen based on this. Not worth the risk..I've seen the people lying on beaches, 20 or 30 years my senior, who, like my fair-skinned father, grew up in the sun without any protection, and boy, their skin is a worry. Australian beaches are home to some interesting specimens of skin damage, let me tell you.

I've heard Shea Butter can sometimes act as a sunscreen, but that it's unreliable as it will vary from person to person and the SPF value isn't all that high anyway.

[Nastasska]

I know exactly what you mean I'm Australian too and I also burn easily

[happylynngilmer]

I am still on the search for a *stable* sunscreen that doesn'e make me look pale and break me out. I'm eastern european and all i do is burn, peel, burn. :{
I have been using sunscreen on my face daily for almost a year and my acne scars have been reduced. I've been using Alba Organics Aloe Vera Sunscreen in spf 18 for the last 2 months or so. It leaves a white cast even though it doesn't cause acne. I'm not happy with it, but will use it up. I have heard great things about raspberry oil working as a sunscreen but it's hard to find sunscreens that contain it and when i do they are WAY too expensive for my humble budget. It's promising though, I hope major companies grasp the idea and run with it soon-I don't like chemical sunscreens and mineral ones make me look like a ghost LOL

[Shermie Girl]

I am always suspicious of articles like that. Especially when they are part of a website that is selling products. As a previous poster pointed out, this article sites no studies and gives no references. It all sounds like a lot of conjecture and hype, to me. And a very nice way to drive readers to peruse their product offerings.

Protecting myself from the sun is a constant battle. I am in Arizona, a very sunny part of the world. I am very fair and I have trouble using chemical sunblocks. I can't use them at all on my face and it is iffy, everywhere else. Extended use causes me to itch and feel uncomfortable. So, I wear mineral makeup on my face, (I have seen no change in my facial skin to suggest that mineral makeup is causing any problems) cover with clothing and wear big hats and try to avoid the sun as much as I can. It is the best I can do. I hope it is enough.

[harpgal]

I have had a lot of experience with this and I can tell you for sure that there is no proof that one can get cancer from sunscreen. However, I am living proof that you can and do get skin cancer from too much sun exposure.

This past summer I went through the month from hell. Because of karatoses on my face, I had to put a topical chemo-therapy on my face called Carac. The pain was unbelievable. This drug penetrates the skin down to the Basal level and attacks the bad cells, causing terrible redness and blistering. You look awful and you feel awful.

I have also had some Basal Cell Carcinomas removed.

My word of warning is, go to your local health food store, if that is what it takes to find a sunscreen you like. But do it for sure, or you will pay like I have.

ETA: Shermie Girl, I have been using a product called Ti-Silc Sheer, which is a sunblock with SPF 45, on my face. I got it at my derm's office. You might want to check that one out. I really like it.

[kebbster]

Im really not sure what to think of the sunscreen thing. Ive read other articles before on this kind of thing. Im never sure what to make of it, except that i do worry so much bout other chemicals on my skin, it shouldnt stop at sunscreen.

From what i can figure out there is a level of safe sun exposure, and you can keep a certain level of 'internal sunscreen' working for you with a good diet. But this is not actually alot of time in the sun. Id still suggest covering up if its going to be a day out in the sun, even if its just to protect from getting burnt. There is alot to be said for shade and a hat, but sometimes there is no choice, have to live so will sometimes get too much sun exposure.

There is alot of research out now about vit D deficiencies being a problem, i doubt this is a problem for anyone in australia, but the studies have at least shown we can take protection too far, that a little safe sun exposure is good for us.

I think the conflicting messages out there are confusing about sunscreen and sun exposure. Best we can do is use common sense and not spend too much time in the sun, but if we are in a situation where it cant be avoided at least cover ourself so as not to get burnt. I dont believe there is really any proof that sunscreen prevents cancer, but there is proof that sun exposure does cause cancer, so we have to go with the mass media and use sunscreen for now.

[harpgal]

Well kebbster, all I can say is that a little bit of sun exposure over the course of another 30 years might get you into the same situation in which I found myself. All it takes is a little bit here and a little bit there. The damage to the cells is accumulative. Getting a tan will not protect a person. I know because I was very tan for half my life.

It is so much better to be safe than sorry. Oh...and wearing a hat is a really good idea for your hair and your skin. ;)

[darian moone]

I had skin cancer on my face due to sun exposure which required surgery, a scar, plastic surgeon, etc., and NOW use sunscreen both summer and winter. I use a lower SPF in winter, but not by much. I like Neutrogena's brand - doesn't cause any break outs.

I've got a girlfriend / co-worker who's going through her second round of Carac on her face this year. It's miserable for her. She and I are on the bandwagon big time to spread the news about using sunscreen, especially to our younger co-workers who seem determined to repeat our mistakes of tanning beds, etc., thinking it won't happen to them.

[darian moone]

Wanted to add: If vitamin D is an issue (which it was for me because I avoid the sun), supplementing with one teaspoon of cod liver oil daily will take care it. I regularly get my vitamin D levels tested and mine has risen to a very good level now that I'm having cod liver oil in my morning protein shake.

[kebbster]

I think the safe exposure is only really bout 15mins, which you can get on a short walk or hanging out the washing.

harpgal sorry to hear what youve been through. Is scary how common skin cancer is. When i was working, it was community nursing, and i saw it so much, my clients going through getting cancers removed. The scarring is awful, always felt for my clients going through it.

Ill admit im not that careful about the sun, not because i dont believe skin cancer can happen to me, but because due to health issues i have to worry about so many things, with the sun it was like oh i dont get to indulge in anything, im enjoying it. Unfortunately i dont get out in the sun much at all anymore with chronic illness, so when i do, i lap it up and am not careful, its a bad mistake i know.

I actually have nice olive skin that shouldnt burn easily, but now i do burn easily because im out in it so little. My olive skin however does protect me to a degree, because ive never cared to go out and tan, i love the feel of the sun on my skin, but have never been preoccupied with getting a nice tan, so hopefully that will work in my favour.

How is your skin now harpgal? Have the scars healed well?

[harpgal]

Hi kebbster, yes my face has lost the redness and it is very smooth. I sure protect myself a lot better these days. I do not want to go through the Carac thing again. I know what you mean about loving the feel of sun on you. When spring comes, I want to be outside as much as possible. The warmth is very soothing.

Thanks for jumping into this thread, darian moone. I feel so sorry for your friend. I think I'd sooner die than go through the Carac thing again. If people only knew how terrible it is, they would protect themselves better.

ETA: Oh my goodness! Now I'm a "raw" beauty instead of an "untouched" beauty. Things are looking up! LOL!

[Unnamed]

Well, I actually get a rash from sunlight (think sun 'allergy' -- I think it might actually be one of the porphyrias, but reaction's the same: itchy rash from sunlight!), and since for me the trouble is *UVA* light, specifically, that means car windows, windows, shade (if near lit areas), and most sunscreens do pretty much nothing. :ooh: Physical sunscreens (TiO2 or ZnO) or physical barriers (clothing) are the only things that'll stop it for me, and are something I need year round.

And let me tell ya: clothing *is* the best cover up. Tightly woven, thicker fabric is best (if you want full coverage): Heavier denim, courdoroy, moleskin, leather, suede. No, not a pretty list. But, UV light *does* pass through lighter weight clothing. I found out the hard way (I knew it might happen, though, as my sensitivity increases every couple of years), and had to switch to a moleskin jacket, even during summer when it's a good 110 sometimes. Oh, and even if you're wearing just a cotton long sleeved shirt? Black/darker colours let through less than white/pastels. :lafhard:

So, me: Denim/etc. jeans, whatever shirt plus at least a moleskin jacket over it. Face, neck, and back of hands has been getting mineral makeup, as it's something that--if I'm going out/to a store or something--it has to stay on when I go inside (I've gotten a rash a couple times from florescent lights/CFLs...ugg). It's the only thing I've found that'll prevent the rash on my face, and so far I've only got one brand that managed it. I think I'm becoming too sensitive for it, though, so, next I'll be making my own MMU with more of the 'needed' elements, simply as it's that or pretty much stay home/inside; but I keep putting off buying stuff. I actually need to start putting the MMU on to get the mail, and have had to have the rest of me covered for that for a while now (as I'd start itching from that minute or so...).I finally upped my Vit D just recently, after finding out even at 800 IUs I wasn't taking near enough, and, yes, vit D deficiency is getting a lot more common due to use of sunscreen. :ooh: Right now I'm aiming for about 4,000 IUs of D3 a day, minimum.

For those that have had issues with skin cancers, so very sorry about all that. My mom's actually in the pale, never got any sunscreen as a kid group (lived on a farm, so she got plenty of sun!), and I've worried a bit she might run into issues.

[Nastasska]

I always try to keep as covered as possible as well I wear hats I'm using a mixture of sunblocks bot chemical and natuaral as well as Mineral Make Up which has been a wonderful discovery for my pimple prone skin
What worried me is that is not the only article about sunblocks not working I have come across but I'm not going to stop using them here are some more articles that are more balanced

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/marieclaire/3693/sunscreen-101

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/marie-claire/3222/stay-sun-safe/

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/marieclaire/3706/stop-the-clock-on-skin-damage

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/b/marieclaire/3735/sunsmartwe-care-about-australians-in-the-sun

http://www.tga.gov.au/npmeds/sunscreen-zotd.htm

I hope everything goes well for you from now on Harpgal

[Liluri]

There's been jokes I've heard about future sunscreens being more cancerous than the sun... It's something I think about but I know I need to cover up, I too get a rash from the sun, not every time but enough to make me worry. I use mineral makeup (sunscreen in moisturisers) and hat and try and stay in the shade as much as possible. I tend not to wear sunscreens unless they are for sensitive skin due to skin sensitivities.

[squiggyflop]

im pretty sure im the only 18 year old where i live who can be spotted wearing a floppy hat in the summer. all the milk i drink is fortifyed with vitamin D and i drink nearly a gallon a day. i wear spf 45 or higher because i hate being burned, i know its bad to cover myself with chemicals like that but whenever i get burned i run very very high fevers... I would rather get skin cancer than brain damage from a 105 or higher fever

[happylynngilmer]

i read a few days ago that hippotamus's bodies actually create a sunscreen that seeps through their pores to protect them. Now why couldn't we have that? LOL

I found another Alba Organics last night on clearance for $1. It's the sensitive skin aloe vera one. For $1 I couldn't pass it up!

[Regina]

For me it practically comes down to vanity. I have fair skin that can tan, but usually fades again. I love having fair skin and do all I can to protect myself from the sun. I use blue lizard sunblocks because they have so much titanium dioxide and zinc oxide in them, and I'm not really concerned about the idea that these may cause cancer....since it isn't proven, and the sun definitely ravages people....so damned if we do, damned if we don't, apparently.

I cover up and avoid sun whenever I can. I have a parasol and also shawls from coolibar to protect myself...I can safely say that I haven't burned for two years now, at least.
I try to fortify my diet and I'm sure that I still get the exposure I need..occasionally on my ears, or the line in the middle of my scalp.
The tests I got a couple months ago did not show deficiencies in anything.

[sandrak]

I have had a lot of experience with this and I can tell you for sure that there is no proof that one can get cancer from sunscreen. However, I am living proof that you can and do get skin cancer from too much sun exposure.

This past summer I went through the month from hell. Because of karatoses on my face, I had to put a topical chemo-therapy on my face called Carac. The pain was unbelievable. This drug penetrates the skin down to the Basal level and attacks the bad cells, causing terrible redness and blistering. You look awful and you feel awful.

I have also had some Basal Cell Carcinomas removed.

My word of warning is, go to your local health food store, if that is what it takes to find a sunscreen you like. But do it for sure, or you will pay like I have.

ETA: Shermie Girl, I have been using a product called Ti-Silc Sheer, which is a sunblock with SPF 45, on my face. I got it at my derm's office. You might want to check that one out. I really like it.

I just ordered Ti-Silc untinted. I am going to the Fl. Keys March 14, so I hope it gets here before then.

[harpgal]

I just ordered Ti-Silc untinted. I am going to the Fl. Keys March 14, so I hope it gets here before then. Oh good! I hope you like it. It has really protected me.

I noticed that Burt's Bees has a new sunscreen. I will try to list the ingredients, but the text is very small:

Titanium Dioxide 6.83%, water, hemo seed oil, vegetable glycerin, stearic acid, wheatgrass extract, ricegrass extract, stoneroot extract, glucose, sucrose distearate, sucrose searate, calendula extract, golden seal extract, witch hazel extract, comfey extract, xanthan gun, sodium corate, lecithin, silica, acacia gum, alginic acid, orange oil, amyris oil, copaiba balsam oil, patchouli oil, sandalwood oil, guaiacwood oil, aluminum hydroxide, fragrance, glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidase.

Sorry for any typos but I could barely read the list. I have not tried it yet, but will this summer.

ETA: It is SPF 15