Many dermatologists recommend that we all use sunscreen, especially when we go out of the house. It protects us from the harmful UV-A and UV-B rays to keep our skin from aging and burning. However, despite the growing usage of sunscreen, melanoma and skin cancer rates are increasing as well, which many researchers dub as the "sunscreen paradox". Claire Loewen-McGill of Futurity speaks with dermatologists who have looked into this perplexing phenomenon to gain insight as to why this is the case.
Apparently, just as much as people have been using sunscreen, they have been going out and staying under the sun for far longer than they should, with the unguided notion that their sunscreen would be able to protect their skin from damage. But, for anybody who has ever used sunscreen and understands the meaning behind SPF, they would know that if you will be staying for expended periods of time under the sun, sunscreen must be reapplied after a few hours depending on the SPF level of the product.
Researchers including Ivan Litvinov and Sandra Peláez from McGill University conducted one study to explore the sunscreen paradox in Canada, while another study was conducted by Litvinov and researchers from the UK. These researchers found that sunscreen use was associated with twice the risk of skin cancer. So, apart from sunscreen, Litvinov suggests that people should also use protective clothing and other means such as using an umbrella to protect themselves from UV rays.
(Image credit: BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific/Unsplash)