Summer is here. If you enjoy being in the sun, then you should learn about how to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. Make outdoor activities more fun this summer by learning more about your safety guard – sunscreen.
To have a sunburn-free summer, sunscreen is a must-have. Many women prefer including sunscreen in their summer beauty regime.
During summer, protecting yourself from harmful UV rays is more important than ever. If you have queries regarding sunscreen, you have landed at the right place.
Sun Care Products for Summer and Their Safety
There is an online pharmacy that is best known for testing all batches of medication they sell. They declared this week that they appealed to the FDA to recall forty batches of sunscreens and after-sun skin products that were tested for containing high levels of chemical benzene. 294 batches were tested by the company and they found 27 percent of benzene in major brands like Neutrogena and Banana Boat. Some batches tested three times the emergency FDA limit.
Benzene is known for causing cancer in humans. David Light, CEO of Valisure stated that sunscreen contains ingredients that absorb through the skin and reach into the blood at high levels.
Christopher Bunick, MD, Ph.D. who is an associate professor of dermatology at Yale University stated in the Valisure FDA petition that the right amount of benzene is not added in sunscreen products.
Testing Sunscreen’s Environmental Impact
Chemicals found in sunscreen can be harmful in other ways. For several years, researchers have been analyzing whether some chemicals in sunscreen could cause any damage to marine life, especially the coral reefs. Ingredients including benzophenone-1, benzophenone-8, oxybenzone, OD-PABA, 3-benzylidene camphor, nano-titanium dioxide, 4-methyl benzylidene camphor, nano-zinc oxide, octinoxate, and octocrylene can cause health issues because they have been classified as potential risks.
Sun Protection Is Still Necessary
If you are sceptical about using sunscreen, there are other ways to stay safe. A recent survey recommends that many people do not do much to protect themselves from skin cancer.
A survey was conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology, where 1000 people participated and found that 1/3 of people didn’t know basic steps, including having a shade that can reduce the risk. Younger people are less likely to learn the connection between skin cancer and sun exposure.
The survey discovered 85% knew that too much sun exposure can harm their skin, 97% stated protecting themselves from the sun is important, and 66% said they should have put more effort to protect their skin when they were younger.
Best Ways to Stay Sun-Safe
Do not rely on sunscreen. All you need to do is follow some of the simple precautions to lower the risk of developing skin cancer by using a little sunscreen if possible.
Sun Protective Clothing
You should wear a sunglass, a broad-brimmed hat, and a lightweight, long-sleeved top and bottom to cover yourself completely for the most protection. You can also look for an outfit that has a UPF [ultraviolet protection factor].
Shade
Wearing the shades can give some protection because sun rays are strongest and more harmful between 10 am to 2 pm.
Sunscreen
Apply sunscreen on the places where the cloth doesn’t cover.
As per the FDA recommendations, Americans can wear sunscreen along with other sun-protective measures.
As stated in Valisure’s announcement, it is necessary to learn that not all sunscreen products have benzene, other products are available without benzene which can be used. It is important to protect ourselves from harmful solar radiation.
Applying sunscreen with SPF 15 daily can reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by almost 40 percent and melanoma by 50 percent. As per the suggestion of the American Academy of Dermatology, people can wear water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF 30 or above. You should reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.
