A few weeks ago, I posted a plea for information regarding sunscreen. I =
was mainly looking for chemical-free sunscreens, and have learned some =
interesting tidbits in the past few weeks. Thought I'd briefly share =
this info for anyone similarly concerned with removing unnecessary =
chemicals from his or her life.
There is a web site that discusses some recent research linking =
sunscreen use to increased incidences of skin cancer. The page can be =
found at http://vvv.com/HealthNews/dsunscre.html (thanks, Jim!!) and =
although I have not seen similar results reported elsewhere, it's good =
food for thought. The findings show that skin cancer occurs at a higher =
than average rates in countries that have long promoted the use of =
chemical sunscreens. Some of the chemicals in the sunscreen may =
actually break down into free radicals in the presence of UVA light; =
these free radicals may then attach to the skin surface and promote =
cancer. The article suggests using a physical sunscreen (containing =
natural minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide), not a =
chemical sunscreen, and maintaining a light natural tan as a better =
defense against UVA rays than sunscreens can be. Also, although many =
people use sunscreen and then stay out longer than they would have, the =
research reports that most sunscreens cannot block totally against UVA =
rays, which cause skin cancer. If you are at risk for skin cancer =
PLEASE visit this page.
If you're in the market for a new sunscreen, I've found a couple that =
are chemical-free and seem to do a good job. They are Coppertone Skin =
Selects and Banana Boat Chemical-Free Sunscreen, and also Neutrogena =
puts one out. I'm sure there must be other manufacturers as well.
Anne Renfrow