SHOULD SUNSCREENS BE BANNED?
A bold query indeed. However, with recent research questioning the effectiveness of sunscreens, and more and more of their active ingredients being banned, we feel it’s a timely debate. To further discern our conclusion, let’s spend some time exploring the following concerns:
a) Do sunscreens actually prevent skin cancer?
b) How severe are the Environmental Risks posed by sunscreens?
c) Are sunscreens negatively impacting our body?
Do Sunscreens prevent skin cancer?
We live in an epidemic of skin cancer. There are 5.6 million skin cancer surgeries per year in the United States. Most ominously, the frequency of skin cancer is increasing by 10% every decade, and is now responsible for 50% of all cancers. (1,2)
Industry responded to this epidemic by developing sunscreens. The thought was to prevent sunburns and therefore, prevent skin cancer from developing. The idea was that if you were wearing SPF 4 for example, that would allow you to be out in the sun four times longer before getting a sunburn.
Dermatologists following their sunscreen wearing patients saw prevention from sunburns, but that didn’t translate into cancer prevention. Industry responded by increasing both the potency of sunscreens, and extended coverage to include UVA. Now sunscreens cover both UVA, UVB, and have SPFs of over 100.
The only prospective trial of sunscreens as it relates to skin cancer is the NAMBOUR study. People were placed on sunscreens; one half received sunscreens (SPF 16) daily, half didn’t. They were treated for two years and then followed for seven subsequent years. What happened? With Basal Cell Carcinoma, which is 80% of skin cancers, there was no benefit. With Squamous Cell Carcinoma, there was a 40% reduction of tumours. The results were unclear in Malignant Melanoma. They simply observed a significant prevention of premature aging. (3)
This knowledge has taught us that the cause of Basal Cell Carcinoma lies outside UV. The current thought is that Infrared is the cause, and we are not protected by infrared in ANY traditional sunscreens on the market today. A few sunscreens are specifically designed to prevent IR injury, but nothing else.
In Summary, “in spite of the increased public awareness of the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer, and our ability to use sunscreens, the incidence of skin cancer continues to increase. In other words, the use of sunscreens has not been an effective cancer prevention strategy.” (4)
Sunscreens and Environmental Pollution
It’s important to note there are two main sources of sunscreen pollution; what occurs when we apply sunscreen as protection and expose it to the environment, and what occurs when we wash sunscreen down the drain (wastewater).
There are many environmental alarm bells. It has been proven that all standard sunscreens represent a severe risk to the environment.
An early study that looked at the effects of sunscreens in the ocean focussed on coral reefs.(5) They observed effects included inhibition of growth, and direct killing and disordered development of coral. Subsequent studies have documented environmental toxicity affecting arthropods, mollusks, echinoderms, and vertebrates (6).
Alarming toxicity was demonstrated in parts per trillion with a measure equivalent of only 1 drop of water in an Olympic size pool. How big a deal is this? There are 763 million Beach Vacationers per year, and 3.2 billion Residents that live in Coastal areas. Calculations suggest 6000 tons of sunscreen enters coral reef areas yearly. (7, 8, 9)
Remember when sunscreens made you look so white you looked dead? To avoid this, Industry started adding Nanoparticles to sunscreens. They got around the “pasty look” problem, but created a new one. Nanoparticles are so small that they can be absorbed whole in the skin. Examples of these are the mineral sunscreens Zinc and Titanium. Both have been considered safe, and are often labelled as “reef safe” or “ocean safe”, but have not actually proven to be safe. They simply do not contain the environmental toxins previously regarded as safe. This means the only 2 remaining molecules for “safe sun protection” are also environmental toxins. (20)
SUNSCREEN RISKS TO OUR BODIES
There are 3 major dangers that occur when we apply sunscreen - the absorption of harmful chemicals into our bloodstream, a reduction in Vitamin D production, and our confidence to spend more time out in the sun.
Absorption of harmful chemicals:
Sunscreen Actives - Applying sunscreens allows absorption of active synthetic molecules, and most consequences are unknown. The US FDA has found 6 different Sunscreen Actives that are detectable in blood, which means you have absorbed them and they are persistent. The worry is that these synthetic molecules are causing cancer or birth defects. (11)
Toxic Ingredients - A classic Ingredient associated with sunscreen toxicity is benzophenone 3. Benzophenone is only 1 of 16 ingredients that have recently been removed from the safe group. What we know of BP3 is that it can penetrate into the bloodstream, and cross the blood brain barrier. It can also cross the placental barrier. There is now known reproductive toxicity with abnormal fetal development. BP3 is an endocrine system disrupter and neurotoxin in experimental animal models. This is scary stuff! So far, human studies have been scarce and controversial, therefore the cosmetics containing BP-3 should be carefully used by the pregnant women, children and adolescents.
The Latest bad news in the sunscreen world is BENZENE, which is a known carcinogen found in 40% of sunscreens. It is not supposed to be there at all. Recently, 15 brands have been affected, with more than 25 million products recalled. Analysis reveals the levels of benzene are 12x the level advised by the FDA. The presence of benzene is also in aerosol sunscreens, such as products from Aveeno and Coppertone, deodorants from Old Spice and Secret, and conditioners and shampoos from Aussie and Pantene.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is one of the two main global regulators of sunscreen ingredients. ALL OF THE BAD NEWS that has been discovered has resulted in the removal of 14 of the 16 chemicals found in sunscreens from the FDA’s safe group. This is a big deal because for 40+ years we have used these treatments believing they were safe. Now we know that they do not pass the safety test, or were simply not tested because it was assumed “they were safe” .(8,15) Products containing such ingredients have been pulled from the shelves, but the remaining question is what happened to the folks who used these products for years? (13,14).
Reduction of Vitamin D production
For six months a year, those of us that live North of the 37th parallel have markedly reduced rates of vitamin D production due to a lack of sunlight in winter. Sunscreens are designed to and are successful at blocking the absorption of ultraviolet light. For example, an SPF of 30 results in a greater than a 90% reduction in the sun reaching the skin. 40% of the world’s population is already vitamin D deficient, especially those with darker skin tones. If they live north of the 37 parallel, adding the effect of sunscreen further increases their vulnerability (22).
Because we don’t burn, we stay out longer in the sun
Sunburns warn us to stop sun exposure, preventing further pain. Selectively blocking UVB rays encourages us to continue more sun exposure. This increases the risk of injury from visible light (43% of sun’s energy), and damage from infrared IRA (heat + 50% of sun’s energy). Extended sun exposure not only increases our chances of skin cancer, but it dramatically damages our skin. Damage to the skin caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight is known as photoaging. Exposure to UV light causes fine and deep wrinkles, irregular pigmentation, brown/sun spots, a yellowish complexion, and a leathery, rough skin texture.
SUMMARY
In summary, if sunscreens are NOT preventing skin cancer, pose extreme environmental risks, and are harmful to our bodies, WHY are we using them? With the knowledge presented here, don’t you think it’s time sunscreens are banned? We do.
General note - Abstracts of articles are available for free. Go to https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov US National Library of Congress. If you simply copy the listing of the article and put it in the query box, it will appear with the abstract. If you wish to pursue this subject, I would sure recommend the abstracts.
REFERENCES:
1) Skin cancer Facts and Statistics from Skin Cancer Foundation; www.skincancerorg/skin cancer-information
2) The evolution of sunscreen products in the United States – a 12 year cross sectional study. Want SQ. Photochem Photobol Sci. 2012 Oct 3. Epub
3) Iannacone MR Hughes MC, Green AC Effects of sunscreen on skin cancer and photoaging PhotoDermatology Photoimmunology Photomed 2014 Apr-Jun 2014:30(2-3):55-61
4) Heffernan T, Nghiem Brash DE P. Carcinogenesis: ultraviolet radiation :.In: Carcinogenesis ultraviolet radiation. (Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, et al. Eds). 7 edn. Vol. 1. New York
5) Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Downs, CA Arch Environ Eontam Toxicol. 2015 Oct 20
6) Environmental Impacts due to the use of sunscreen products; a mini-review. Chatzigianni M. Ecotoxicology, 2022; 31(9): 1331
7)Sunscreen: What science says about ingredient safety. Brown J. 22nd July 2019 BBC
8) Why sunscreen is not enough to prevent sunburns. Mudditt, J. 5th July 2022. BBC
9.) Sunscreen claims risk management and consumer confidence. Diffey B.Int J Cosmet Sci. 2020 Feb;42(1):1-4.
10. Photoprotection in changing times UV filter efficacy, and safety, sensitization process and regulatory aspects. Stiefel.C, Schwack. W. Int. Journal. Cosmetic . Science. Vol 37, issue one, page 2
11) Sunscreen products as emergent pollutants to coastal waters. Tovar-Sanchez, A. Journal PLoS One, 2013 June 5 ; 8(6) :e65451
`12) Wnuk W, Michalska K, Benzophenone-3, a chemical UV-filter in cosmetics: is it really safe for children and pregnant women? Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2022 Feb;39(1):26-33. doi:. Epub 2021 Feb 28.
13) DiNardo JC, Downs CA. Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone /benzophenone 3. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018 Feb;17(1):15-19.
14) Blood levels Systemic Absorption of Common Organic Sunscreen Ingredients Raises Possible Safety Concerns for Patients. Ouchene, L. J.Cutan Med Surg. 2019 Jul/Aug; 23(4);449-450.
15) Matta MK, Zusterzeel R, Pilli NR, Effect of Sunscreen Application Under Maximal Use Conditions on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019 Jun 4;321(21):2082-2091.
16) Urinary Concentrations of Benzophenone-Type Ultraviolet Radiation Filters and Couples’ Fecundity. Buck Louis GM, Am J Epidemiol. 2014 Nov 13. pii.kwu285. Epub
17) Chazipura M, McGowan R, Arslan A, Hossain T. Exposure to benzophenone-3 and reproductive toxicity: A systematic review of human and animal studies. Reprod Toxicol. 2017 Oct;73:175-183.. Epub 2017 Aug 24. PMID: 28844799.
18) Tao Z, Wang Z, Zhu S, Wang S, Wang Z. Associations between benzophenone-3 and sex steroid hormones among United States adult men. Reprod Toxicol. 2022 Dec;114:44-51. doi: Epub 2022 Oct 6. PMID: 36209923.
19) Benzene, a Known Carcinogen, has been found in some spray sunscreens, deodorants, and other products. Felton, R. May 12 2022. Consumer Report
20)Systemic Absorption of Common Organic Sunscreen Ingredients Raises Possible Safety Concerns for Patients. Ouchene, L. J.Cutan Med Surg. 2019 Jul/Aug; 23(4);449-450.15)
21) Sharma VK. Aggregation and toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in aquatic environment--a review. Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2009 Dec;44(14):1485-95.
22) The truth about reef safe sunscreens Consumer Reports S Wadyka Aug 11 2022
23) Holick MF. The vitamin D deficiency pandemic: Approaches for diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2017 Jun;18(2):153-165
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