Guard Manually From the Sun:
Check
your sunscreen label. If the active ingredients include one or more of the
chemicals listed in this article, you need to look into a mineral based
alternative.
In
1927, 12,745 physicians endorsed smoking Lucky Strike® cigarettes as a
healthful activity; by 1999 smoking-related illness had become the number one
cause of death in United States. Similarly, the rate of melanoma, the deadliest
form of skin cancer, has been on the rise since the first sunscreen arrived on
the market in the late 1960's. Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has
been experienced in countries where chemical based sunscreens have been heavily
promoted.
While
it is important to protect your skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation,
it may be just as important to protect yourself from the chemicals used in most
sunscreens. Chemical-based sunscreens include ingredients that absorb UV
radiation from the sun. These chemicals get into the skin and absorb UV
radiation which leads to free radical release. Free radicals can damage cells
and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular
disease, and aging.
Health-related
U.S. government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Centers for Disease Control and
prevention (CDC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) all have important
information about potential dangers of these chemicals.
The
good news is avoiding chemical-based sunscreens may be easier than you think.
Below is a list of some potentially dangerous sunscreen chemicals.
Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone is a chemical that can be absorbed by the body and mimic or block
hormones thereby disrupting their normal functions. Oxybenzone was found in
96.8% of human urine samples analyzed as part of the National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in 2008. The same study found a lower birth weight in baby girls
whose mothers were exposed to Oxybenzone during pregnancy.
Oxybenzone
is a photo-carcinogen, a chemical that can potentially cause cancer when
exposed to light. Known as a powerful free radical generator, oxybenzone is
used to destabilize chemicals in a number of industrial processes. In addition
Oxybenzone has been known to trigger photo-allergic reactions. These allergic
reactions are caused by exposure to UV radiation.
The
Environmental Working Group (EWG), an organization that specializes in
environmental research and advocacy, identified nearly 600 sunscreens sold in
the U.S. that contain Oxybenzone, including leading brand names like Hawaiian
Tropic, Coppertone, and Banana Boat, and many facial moisturizers as well.
Avobenzone
Similar to Oxybenzone, Avobenzone is a chemical that absorbs UV radiation and
is easily absorbed through the skin, potentially releasing free radicals.
Avobenzone has been shown to degrade significantly in light, resulting in less
UV protection over time.
Octocrylene
According to recent studies, Octocrylene, causes bleaching in the algae that
lives on coral, often killing the entire structure. The UN World Trade
Organization estimates 78 million tourists visit coral reefs each year,
releasing between 4,000 to 6,000 tons of sunscreen into the water. Several
marine reserves in Mexico have banned sunscreens that use oils and chemical
ingredients.
Octinoxate
The
little amount of data on Octinoxate noted estrogenic effects as well as
disruption of the thyroid hormone and brain signaling. Estrogenic effects can
potentially increase cancers, cause birth defects in children, and cause
fertility and other developmental problems.
Homosalate
CANCER:
Homosalate is a penetration enhancer that may promote the absorption of other harmful chemicals. Very little data exist on the effects of homosalate exposure, but preliminary data has found it to be a possible carcinogen.
Homosalate is a penetration enhancer that may promote the absorption of other harmful chemicals. Very little data exist on the effects of homosalate exposure, but preliminary data has found it to be a possible carcinogen.
Octisalate
Alone,
octisalate may not be harmful. However, similar to homosalate, octisalate is a
penetration enhancer and may promote the penetration of other harmful chemicals.
Solution
Although
these reports are alarming, safer sunscreens do exist. Most physicians continue
to support the use of sunscreen, but now advocate using physical barrier
sunscreens instead of chemical based sunscreens. Rather than absorbing into the
skin, a physical barrier sunscreen reflects or scatters UV radiation. It's like
wearing millions of tiny mirrors. Most physical barrier sunscreens contain
either zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. Click on any of the sunscreen ads
located in this blog to purchase a safe and healthy sunscreen.
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