We’ve all heard it a million times: wear sunscreen to protect your skin from cancer. It’s a message that’s been drilled into us by doctors, public health campaigns, and even our parents. But what if sunscreen isn’t as effective as we’ve been led to believe? A recent study looked into this and found some surprising results.
The Study: What Did It Find?
Researchers reviewed 29 studies involving over 313,000 people to see if sunscreen really prevents skin cancer. They looked at two types of skin cancer: melanoma (the more dangerous type) and non-melanoma skin cancers. Here’s what they found:
- No Clear Link: Overall, the study didn’t find strong evidence that sunscreen either increases or decreases the risk of skin cancer. The numbers were pretty much a wash, meaning sunscreen didn’t make a big difference in whether people got skin cancer or not.
- Melanoma: Specifically for melanoma, the results showed no significant protection from sunscreen use. This is surprising because we often think of sunscreen as a key defense against this dangerous cancer.
- Historical Changes: Interestingly, studies from before the 1980s suggested that sunscreen might actually increase the risk of melanoma. However, this association faded over time, and by the 1990s, sunscreen was no longer linked to a higher risk.
- Current Perspective: Today, the evidence suggests that while sunscreen doesn’t seem to cause skin cancer, it also doesn’t offer the strong protective benefits that many people expect.
What Does This Mean for You?
So, should you stop using any and all forms of sunscreen?
Not necessarily. Although, the vast majority of popular sunscreen brands I would consider toxic and a net negative for your body.
Sunscreen can still be an important tool for protecting your skin, especially from for those of us that are particularly susceptible, but it’s important to know that it’s not a magic shield against skin cancer, and one must be vigilant on what ingredients are in sunscreen.
My favorite brand of sunscreen is Toups: https://toupsandco.com/products/sun-balm.
I have been making my own tallow based sun balm from scratch using the same ingredients, in a much more cost-effective way.
Remember, sunlight is an amazing tool to help humans optimize their health, but like anything, it can be overused.
Here are some practical tips to help you use the sun to your health advantage:
- Use Sunscreen the Right Way: If you’re going to use sunscreen, make sure you’re using a brand that isn’t exposing you to synthetic, endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
- Don’t Rely on Sunscreen Alone: Sunscreen is just one part of sun protection. Wear protective clothing like hats and long sleeves, seek shade when the sun is strongest (usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.), and try to avoid extended sun exposure if your skin can’t handle it.
- Be Mindful of Your Skin Type: Some people are more prone to skin irritation than others, especially if you have fair skin. If you’re at higher risk, take extra precautions beyond just using sunscreen.
- Arm Your Body With Good Nutrition: Eating a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods can help our skin and cells properly use the sun for all of it’s health benefits. To learn more about the incredible benefits of sun exposure, see this article: https://completechiromn.com/2023/07/02/get-some-sun/
The Bottom Line
Good quality sunscreen can still be useful, but it is far from a cure-all. The best way to protect yourself from damage to your skin is to use a combination of strategies mentioned above.
Complete Chiropractic 