Introduction
Used to protect our skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays, sunscreen is widely used in our everyday lives, especially during sunny days outside. But on the contrary, many claims, according to Harvard, have been made that suggest sunscreen does more harm than good. These assertions include describing sunscreen as ineffective and even dangerous, through possibly causing skin cancer. But is it right to believe these claims? What is sunscreen, and what does it do for us?
How It Works
Sunscreen can be classified as organic (chemical) or inorganic (physical). Organic compounds in sunscreen act as sponges, absorbing UV radiation that comes into contact with them. On the contrary, inorganic compounds shield the skin and protect it by reflecting and scattering the sun’s damaging radiation. Instead of using organic and inorganic sunscreen, broad-spectrum sunscreen is often used in the United States. It contains both chemical and physical compounds to absorb and/or reflect UV rays, acting as a combination of both organic and inorganic sunscreens.
The Truth
Even though sunscreen has many benefits, is it still safe to use? According to Harvard, there is no evidence of sunscreen being harmful. There are even excellent studies that prove sunscreen immensely helps protect against skin cancer, not cause it. Dr. Jennifer Lin, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard Medical School, says that these incorrect claims against sunscreen likely came from people who were exposed to too much UV rays, which elevated their risk of skin cancer, not the sunscreen.
Conclusion
In all, sunscreen is a beneficial, widely used method to protect against sunburn, early aging, and skin cancer. Although there are many accusations against sunscreen, most of them are false, as both organic and inorganic sunscreens are extremely helpful and necessary for sun exposure.
Related Stories:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-science-of-sunscreen
https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-does-sunscreen-work.h00-159698334.html
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/
Take Action:
https://www.skincancer.org/recommended-products/
https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/sun-protection-factor-spf
