The 12 Myths of Sunscreens

Sunscreens – Best Friend or Worst Enemy ?

Myths and Facts Your Mother Never Told You

Myth #1 – Since Sunscreens Protect Me from UV–Radiation, I Can Spend More Time in the Sun

Fact #1 – False

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), using a sunscreen was not designed to extend the time you can spend in the sun. Rather, a sunscreen was designed to offer greater protection against the sun's harmful UV–rays while you must be in the sun. [1]

By definition, a sunscreen is rated by the EPA for its ability to screen the sun's UV–B rays ONLY. It does not screen the sun's deadliest form of UV–radiation, the sun's UV–A ray. [1]

A review of Table 1 shows the only FDA–approved ingredient that can completely screen the sun's UV–A and UV–B rays is Zinc Oxide. In its pure state, Zinc Oxide is an opaque, white cream paste usually seen on professional baseball players; it is not readily absorbed into the skin like other sunscreens. [1]

TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion - Sunscreen and Sunblock Protection

Table 1 – Amount of UV Sun Ray Protection vs Ingredient [1]

Don't dismiss Zinc Oxide as a sunscreen ingredient because you think it is just white gunk and will make you look like the Pillsbury Doughboy. With today's technology, it is incorporated into lotions that are easily applied, more transparent without losing their ability to block both of the sun's UV–A and UV–B rays, have pleasant textures and fragrances, and do a great job at protecting you. [1]

Before buying a sunscreen, make sure it contains Zinc Oxide as the active ingredient. Visit the non–profit website www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen to ensure it has a minimum of 20% Zinc Oxide. If your sunscreen does not contain at least 20% Zinc Oxide, toss it and get a sunscreen that does. Your life may depend on it ! [2]

To demystify the protection that sunscreens offer, per the EPA: "There is there is no evidence that sunscreens protect you from malignant melanomas, or several other types of skin cancer as well. To fully protect yourself, remember to seek shade, minimize peak hours of sun exposure, and wear protective clothing in addition to applying sunscreen." [1]

A sunscreen should be used especially when the UV Index is high (UV Index = 5 or higher). Although a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher offers some protection from sunburn, it does not block all of the sun's damaging rays. [1]

TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion - UV Penetration into Skin

Figure 1 – Penetration of UV–Radiation Without Sunscreen [1]

If a sunscreen WITHOUT Zinc Oxide had been applied in Figure 1, the UV–A ray would have penetrated as deeply as shown; and the UV–B ray would have been screened and would have not penetrated into the skin.

If a sunscreen WITH Zinc Oxide had been applied in Figure 1, both the UV–A ray and the UV–B ray would have been screened and would have not penetrated into the skin.

Myth #2 – A "Broad–Spectrum" Sunscreen will Block both
UV–A and UV–B Sun Rays

Fact #2 – True and False

The term "broad–spectrum" means the sunscreen will protect you from both the sun's UV–A and UV–B rays. [1]

This statement is True for one and only one type of sunscreen; the type that contains a minimum of 20% Zinc Oxide as its active ingredient. [1] [2]

This statement is False if you use any sunscreen with less than 20% Zinc Oxide as its active ingredient. [1] [2]

The sun (and tanning bed/booth) emits 95% of its UV–radiation as UV–A rays. The remaining 5% are emitted as UV–B rays. [3]

According to the EPA, the sun's UV–A rays can easily penetrate most sunscreens and cause malignant melanomas, the deadliest form of skin cancer. There is only limited evidence that sunscreens protect you from several other types of skin cancers. [1]

Again, by definition, a sunscreen is rated by the EPA for its ability to screen the sun's UV–B rays ONLY. It does not screen the sun's deadliest form of UV–radiation, the sun's UV–A ray. [1]

Ironic, isn't it? The EPA worries about protecting you from the sun's UV–B ray, yet it is the sun's UV–A ray that is 20 times stronger and is much, much deadlier (the leading cause of malignant melanoma). [1] [3]

Myth #3 – When You Double the Sunscreen's SPF, You Double the Time You Can Spend in the Sun

Fact #3 – False

The abbreviation "SPF" is one of the most misunderstood and misused terms in the world.

Per the FDA's definition of SPF: [4]

TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion - SPF Definition

A SPF 30 means that just 1/30th of the sun's UV–radiation can reach your skin. [5]

UV–A rays do not redden the skin; only UV–B rays redden the skin. This is true for the sun and tanning beds/booths. [5]

According to the FDA's own definition, when you double a sunscreen's SPF rating, you double the time it takes for Skin Type 3 to redden. In other words, when you double a sunscreen's SPF rating, you double the protection from the sun's UV–B rays only. It's that simple, and that complex. [1]

Contrasting the FDA's first definition to the FDA's second definition, we have a conundrum.

Again, according to the FDA, SPF is not directly related to time of solar exposure, but to amount of solar exposure. Although solar energy amount is related to solar exposure time, there are other factors that impact the amount of solar energy; for instance, the intensity of the solar energy. [4]

The solar intensity is related to:

Time of Day: One hour of sun exposure at 9:00 AM may equal 15 minutes at 1:00 PM. [4]
Geographic Location: solar intensity increases as you move toward the equator.[4]
Elevation: the higher the elevation, the higher the solar intensity. [4]
Cloud Cover: the more the clouds in the sky, the lower the solar intensity for UV–B rays (clouds have no effect on UV–A rays). [4]

In addition to solar intensity, there are a number of other factors that influence the amount of solar energy that a consumer is exposed to: Skin Type, Amount of Sunscreen Applied, Reapplication Frequency, Perspiration Rate (which is a function of humidity), Water Activities, Clothing Fabric Type, etc. [4]

People with Skin Type 1 and 2 SHOULD NEVER go out into the sun or into a tanning bed for purposes of sun–bathing.

Visit Determine Your Skin Type to determine your skin type. The lighter a person's skin, the higher the level of UV–radiation absorption. However, people with darker skin should use sunscreen protection too. [4]

Because of the various factors that impact the amount of solar radiation, SPF does not inform you of the time you can spend in the sun. In other words, SPF simply allows consumers to compare one sunscreen protection against another; the consumer knows that a SPF 30 protects more than a SPF 8, but that's it. [4]

Therefore, a sunscreen with a SPF=30 IS NOT twice the sun protection of a SPF=15 ! [4]

Myth #4 – I will Apply an All–Day Sunscreen,
and it will last me All Day

Fact #4 – False

There is no such thing as an "All–Day Sunscreen." Sunscreens become transparent once applied to your skin. The sunscreen's ingredients break down at a faster rate once exposed to sunlight, and under a high UV–Index, some of the sun's rays penetrate through to your skin within minutes. In order for the sunscreen to be more effective, you'll have to consistently reapply any sunscreen at least every two hours while in the sunlight (but apply it in the shade);. [1]

Even "water–resistant" sunscreens will wash off if engaged in water activities, perspiring, type of clothing fabric worn, etc. (The FDA banned the term "waterproof" from suntan lotion.) Reapply sunscreen often. [1]

Myth #5 – I Will Apply My Sunscreen at the Beach or Pool

Fact #5 – False

Apply your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out into the sun. This gives the sunscreen time to absorb into your skin.

If you apply your sunscreen in the sun, it will evaporate under the sun's rays before it has time to absorb into your skin. Do not forget about lips, ears, feet, hands, bald spots, and the back of the neck. In addition, apply sunscreen to areas under bathing suit straps, necklaces, bracelets, and sunglasses. Keep sunscreen until the expiration date or for no more than 3 years, because the sunscreen ingredients become less effective over time. [1]

Remember to allow your sunscreen to PENETRATE before it EVAPORATES.

Myth #6 – I Will Get a Tanning Bed Tan First Since They Are Safer Than The Sun

Fact #6 – False

According to the EPA, FDA, American Cancer Society, etc, etc, "There is no such thing as a safe tan!" [1]

For the real facts about the dangers of sun tanning, visit: www.skincancer.org–Skin–Cancer. They encourage people who want a sun tan to stay out of the sun and use a sunless tanning lotion. [1] [2]

Being informed about how to protect yourself from unwanted sun or tanning bed exposure is the best defense against skin cancer and premature skin photoaging. [1] [4] [5] [6]

A suntan, whether you get it on the beach, in a tanning bed, or thorough incidental exposure, is bad news for your skin. Suntans are caused by harmful UV–radiation (UV–A and UV–B) from the sun or tanning bed, and if you have a suntan, you've sustained irreparable skin cell damage. [4] [6]

No matter what you may hear at tanning salons or from your friends (or you just plane want to believe otherwise), the cumulative damage caused by UV–radiation leads to premature skin aging (wrinkles, lax skin, brown spots, and more), as well as skin cancer. [1]

It is irrefutable that those who use tanning beds (UV–A and UV–B) are 74% more likely to develop melanoma skin cancer than those who have never used tanning beds. The more time you spend bed tanning, the higher the odds of developing a skin disease (including malignant melanoma). [6] [7]

According to the American Cancer Society, the type of tanning machine used affects melanoma risk; some tanners were 4.44 times as likely as non–tanners to develop malignant melanoma. Remember, the higher the bulb strength, the deeper the UV–A can penetrate into your skin, and the worse the skin cell damage. [8]

The American Cancer Society is currently trying to force the FDA to enact a law called: "It's Time to Ban the Tan." They want the FDA to ban all tanning beds, booths, and all artificial UV–radiation emitting devices. However, tanning beds, booths, etc are all classified as medical devices since they are still used for medical reasons. [3] [9]

Powerful UV–tanning units may be 10 to 15 times stronger than the midday sunlight on the Mediterranean Sea. Approximately 95% of the rays emitted from tanning units are UV–A radiation (same UV–A/UV–B ratio as the sun, but much stronger). Recent research is showing that UV–A is far more dangerous, because it penetrates the skin deeper (see Figure 1 – Penetration of UV Into the Skin). UV–A is known to cause skin photoaging and skin cancer. [10]

Modern "clam–type" tanning beds and canopies are not only dangerous since they deliver 12 times stronger UV–A rays than the midday sunlight, but they bombard your body from all sides at once. The sun can only bombard your body from one side. Bombarding your body from all sides with super high–strength UV–radiation is a recipe for not only a shortened lifespan, but also an ugly, shriveled corpse lying inside a coffin (of course, morticians are great cosmetologists!). [5]

Tanning bed salons claim tanning machines are safer than sun tanning for two reasons:

1) they use a more "controlled" ratio of UV–A to UV–B radiation;

2) they offer more "controlled" UV–radiation exposure.

However, we know now that UV–A radiation is a carcinogen (causes cancer), and studies have revealed that tanning salons frequently exceed "safe" UV–A radiation limits. Study after study has shown that sun bed tanning increases the risk of both melanoma and non–melanoma skin cancers. [11]

Some tanning salons boast their higher strength bulbs which means less time in the tanning bed/booth, thereby reducing the risks of skin cancer. But this is not true for two reasons:

1) the higher the bulb strength, the deeper the UV–A rays penetrate your skin, and the worse the skin cell's DNA damage;

2) the accumulative amount of UV–radiation energy absorbed by the skin cells' DNA is the same.

A lower radiation over a longer time or a higher radiation over a shorter time provide the same total amount of radiation; and it is the accumulative UV–radiation energy, as well as the bulb power, that are your enemies! Note too, higher bulb strength means a higher price and higher customer turnover, which means higher profits! [12] [13]

There can be as much as a 75% increase in melanoma risk for people who have used sun beds on a regular basis between ages 12 – 30. The UV–rays damage the DNA of the skin's epidermal cells, triggering enzymes that race to repair the damage. However, these enzymes do not always repair the DNA successfully, and all this un–repaired damage can lead to mutations that increase the risk of skin cancer. Also, repeated unprotected UV–light exposure can cause skin photoaging – wrinkles, sagging skin, and spots associated with sun damage. [1] [13]

When UV–radiation penetrates your skin, damage can be done to a single strand of DNA. The rays can cause the strands to break or cause cross–linking to the wrong area of the strand. This is now a mutation that your body tries to repair with special proteins. If more damage is caused than your body can repair, the result can be cancer. Different people have different abilities to repair UV–damage. [13]

When you tan from the sun or tanning bed, it is your body's attempt to protect itself from additional UV–radiation. Remember, a tan from the sun/tanning bed is generated by damaging "live" skin cells. [14]

UV–radiation can damage the eyes as well, including cataracts, macular degeneration, photokeratitis, inflammation of the cornea and the iris, pterygium, and squamous cell cancer of the conjunctiva. [15]

When you go out into the sun, remember that sunglasses are just as important as sunscreen. [15]

A sunburn and a suntan are equally dangerous because both result from DNA damage to the skin cells. It is true that sunburn has been directly linked to malignant melanoma – one blistering sunburn in your childhood or adolescence, or five sunburns total over the course of your life, more than doubles your chances of developing malignant melanoma later in life. [13]

A history of sunburns doubles your risk of melanoma. [13]

Your risk of basal cell carcinoma is strongly related to sunburns, especially in childhood. [13]

Your risk of squamous cell carcinoma is strongly related to long–term occupational exposure to sunlight. [13]

Your risk of melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) is most strongly linked to intermittent, short–term exposure to high–intensity sunlight, often resulting in sunburn. [13]

Myth #7 – I Will Get a Sunless Tan First; My Darker Skin Will Protect Me From The Sun

Fact #7 – False
Sunless tanning lotions only tan your "dead" skin cells. The sun's UV–A and UV–B rays penetrate through this layer of "dead" skin cells, and into your "live" skin cells. A tan from a sunless tanning lotion cannot protect you from the sun's UV–rays. For protection, you must use a sunscreen with a minimum of least 20% Zinc Oxide. [17]

IF you go under the tanning bed or booth, whatever you do, DO NOT USE a Tanning Acceleration. Placing these chemicals onto your body not only intensifies the damage to your skin cells' DNA, but they also break down to make toxic chemicals that themselves cause skin cancer. Tanning Accelerators are not FDA–approved, and SHOULD NOT BE USED under any circumstance! [18]

Of course, if you go under the tanning bed or booth, you are going against the advice of the Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety Health Act, Food and Drug Administration, World Health Organization, American Cancer Society, and millions of healthcare professionals. [1] [3] [4] ..... [17]

Myth #8 – The Sun's Rays Cannot Harm Me Early in the Morning or Late in the Day

Fact #8 – False

UV–A sun rays strike the Earth everywhere sunlight is visible. UV–A sun rays are more deadly that the sun's UV–B rays since they penetrate deeper into your skin, causing skin cell mutations (cancer). UV–A rays penetrate the Earth's Exosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, and Troposphere without any problem. When you are out in the sun, or even behind a glass window at home or work, irrespective of the time of day, if you can see the sun, you are being bombarded by UV–A rays. Yes, the sun's rays can harm you any time of day. [1] [14]

Myth #9 – If a Sunscreen is on a Store Shelf or on the Internet, It is Probably Safe

Fact #9 – False

Health Research Organizations have found that not only do many sunscreens fail to protect against UV–radiation, but they also break down over normal usage and develop toxic components which themselves cause skin cancer. [1]

An independent study conducted by Rutgers University, found the following on mice:

Dermabase increased the total number of cancerous tumors by 69%.

Dermovan increased the total number of cancerous tumors by 95%.

Eucerin increased the total number of cancerous tumors by 24%.

Vanicream increased the total number of cancerous tumors by 58%. [19]

Myth #10 – All Sunscreens are Alike, So I'll Buy the Cheapest

Fact #10 – False

To find the best sunscreens on the market (and there are hundreds of them), visit Environmental Working Group's website (shown below – we do not profit from this website). They state: [2]

"The best sunscreen is a hat and a shirt. No chemicals to absorb through the skin, no questions about whether they work. But when you can't get away from exposing your skin to the sun, use EWG's top–rated sunscreens to provide "broad–spectrum" (UV–A and UV–B protection) with fewer hazardous chemicals that penetrate the skin." [2]

Visit them at: www.ewg.org–2010sunscreen/best–beach–sport–sunscreens.

A typical page of their sunscreen analysis is shown below. Note that the active ingredient is Zinc Oxide, which is the only FDA–approved sunscreen ingredient that will screen both the sun's UV–A and UV–B rays effectively.

TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion - Sunscreen Information

Myth #11 – The More Sunscreen I Use, the Safer I Am in the Sun

Fact #11 – False

The longer sunscreen chemicals are left on your skin, the greater the absorption into your body. And the greater the absorption into your body, the greater increase of cancers by virtue of UV–radiation breaking down the sunscreen chemicals, generating free radicals. [20]

In other words, the rate of skin cancers MAY NOT be increasing due to increased exposure to the sun's UV–radiation, but to the toxic effects of sunscreens that are turned carcinogenic by the sun's UV–radiation itself ! [20]

These broken down chemicals are similar to those used to develop free radicals in manufacturing industrial chemicals. Sunscreen chemicals also have strong estrogenic actions that may cause serious problems in sexual development and adult sexual function. [20]

Myth #12 – The Ozone Layer Above the Earth is Thinning, and Will Cause More Skin Cancers

Fact #12 – False

Actually, it is not the increase in UV–radiation that is causing the increase in skin cancers, but the use and over–use of sunscreens. [20]

The results of a test performed on ozone depletion and its cause on skin cancer were studied by British Journal of Cancer and the Norwegian Cancer Institute found that the yearly incidence of malignant melanoma in Norway had increased by 350% for men and by 440% for women during the period 1957 to 1984. They also determined that there had been no change in the ozone layer over this period of time. [20]

The researchers concluded: "Ozone depletion was not the cause of the increase in skin cancers; rather, it was the increase in sunscreens with toxic ingredients that contributed to the increase in skin cancers." [20]

TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion - The 12 Myths of Sunscreens

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TanSome Sunless Tanning Lotion - Product Size and Price

Be aware of your self–tanning product; ensure it contains only natural and safe ingredients. Not all sunless tanning products are safe and effective! For best results, use a "gradual" sunless tanning lotion.

You can have a beautiful safe tan! By using TanSome Premium Sunless Tanning Lotion, and avoiding the direct exposure of the Sun. If you do venture outside, correctly use sun–screen#46; You can tan beautifully without the risks of skin damage and skin cancer using our "gradual" sunless tanning lotion!

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