2010-06-01 17:39:51.383299+00 by Dan Lyke 1 comments
Not only are sunscreens and our paranoia about exposure to our closest star apparently contributing to vitamin D deficiencies, sunscreens may be accelerating skin cancers, notably the vitamin A additives.
[ related topics: Health Space & Astronomy ]
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#Comment Re: made: 2010-06-02 20:38:11.735317+00 by: ebradway
I saw a presentation by an epidemiologist who looked at the increase in skin cancer rate in Australia. His finding was that the government's advertising campaign to put on sunscreen before going outside was to blame. More specifically, the campaign was too successful. People were always making sure they put on sunscreen before going out. Their skin never "turned on" it's natural defenses to radiation. His recommendation: put sunscreen on 15-20 minutes AFTER going outside and if possible, get about 15 minutes of sun exposure on 50% of the body every day.
I use SPF15 when I know I'm going to be out hiking in direct sun - but only after I get to the trail head. When I visit my in-laws in Utah, I just try to make sure I'm covered.