Is Sunscreen Safe?
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that chemicals in some sunscreens are absorbed into the bloodstream in levels high enough to warrant additional research.
So, are the chemicals in sunscreen harmful? Should parents be concerned? Here, pediatric dermatology providers at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) explain the study’s findings and offer guidance on how parents should respond.
The important thing to remember is that while this data highlights a need for further investigation of sunscreens, there are already very real proven health risks if someone is over-exposed to sunlight, including sunburns, skin damage and skin cancers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which conducted the study, specifically advises people to continue to use sunscreen while additional research is done.
This was a preliminary study, with just 24 test subjects, all of them adults, and it only looked at whether the chemicals in sunscreen were absorbed through the skin, not whether the chemicals caused harm. While it’s good to be aware of this kind of research, it’s important not to overreact.
There are two main types of sunscreen, and each protects the skin in different ways.
Pediatricians and dermatologists recommend using physical or mineral sunscreens (those with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide) with young children and anyone with dry skin or eczema. They also caution against using spray-application sunscreen, which might be inhaled.
Chemical sunscreens are still considered safe for older children and people with healthy skin. The use of any sunscreen is safer than unprotected exposure to the sun. Chemical sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Sunscreens with SPF of 30-60 are preferred over lower SPFs.
Future research may show that some of the ingredients in chemical sunscreens are safer than others. For example, oxybenzone has been found in other studies to be associated with (but not necessarily to cause) lower testosterone levels in adolescent boys. It has also been found in breast milk. The sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate is banned in Hawaii, Key West, and the U.S. Virgin Islands because of their harmful effects on coral reefs.
The other thing to remember is that sunscreen is just one of the ways to protect against sun exposure. More tips for parents:
Contributed by: Sarah H. Hallowell, MSN, CRNP, Sarah Mehlmann, DNP, CRNP
Categories: Health Tip of the Week
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