Sunscreen Myths and Facts

Many myths and misconceptions about sunscreens circulate by word of mouth. What should you consider when buying sunscreen? Why is sun protection necessary? How often and how should sunscreen be applied? Do expensive sunscreens offer more protection?..

What Are UVA and UVB Rays?

Understanding sunscreen requires some knowledge of UVA and UVB rays. Both are ultraviolet (UV) rays and damage the skin.

• UVA penetrates the thick lower skin layers (dermis and hypodermis) in long waves. UVA causes premature skin aging, sunspots and skin cancers .
• UVB rays have shorter wavelengths, are the main cause of sunburn, and also play an important role in skin cancer development.

12 Myths / Misconceptions About Sunscreen

1- Sunscreen Prevents the Body from Getting Vitamin D

Vitamin D is important for health, and sunlight can directly meet this need. Yes, sunscreen may prevent vitamin D production in the skin. Nevertheless, our body obtains enough vitamin D when the cream’s effect wears off or through sunlight passing through gaps in clothing. Because fully covering clothing is generally not preferred in summer and sunscreen does not take effect in the first 5 to 30 minutes, vitamin D absorption is sufficient.

2- Sunscreen Causes Health Problems

Another misconception concerns oxybenzone, found in most sunscreens. Some adverse effects were seen in experiments on mice. However, according to recent research, no negative/toxic effects were found in people who use sunscreen regularly and frequently.

3- People with Dark Skin Do Not Need Sunscreen

People with dark skin also need to use sunscreen. They are adversely affected by both UVB rays and sunburn. UVA rays also age dark skin and cause lines.

4- Tanning Products Protect the Skin

These products provide rapid tanning through UVA exposure, while UVB rays cause skin burns. Tanning products do not protect against harmful solar rays.

5- Makeup Is Enough to Protect the Face

Makeup should be applied over sunscreen. It does not replace sunscreen.

6- Sunscreen Provides Better Protection Than Clothing

Clothing and hats offer much better protection than all sunscreen creams. To protect against direct harmful sunlight, thin, cotton, covering clothing, a hat and sunscreen should be used together as much as possible.

7- It Is Impossible to Tan While Wearing Sunscreen

Although sunscreens help protect against UVA and UVB rays, they cannot fully protect the entire body. Some tanning is possible even with sunscreen. For complete protection, clothing and a hat are important, as stated in the preceding point.

8- All Sunscreens Are the Same

All sunscreens have the same purpose: sun protection. However, creams with different ingredients protect against different levels of sunlight, and the appropriate one should be chosen. For example, active ingredients such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and ecamsule provide extra protection against UVA and UVB rays. There are also chemical filters such as avobenzone. Each protects in a different way.

Sun protection factor (Sun Protection Factor – SPF) is also important. SPF 15-30 is ideal. Because the amount of chemical filters increases above factor 30, we do not recommend sunscreen above factor 30.

9- Applying Sunscreen Once Is Enough for the Whole Day

Those who think sunscreen applied in the morning will protect all day are mistaken. It needs to be reapplied every 2-4 hours.

10- Sunscreens Are Waterproof

If a sunscreen specifically says “waterproof,” it may also work in water. However, most other sunscreens do not have this property. All creams, including waterproof ones, need to be reapplied after every swim or sweating. Sunscreen should also be applied at least 10 - 15 minutes before swimming.

11- Sunscreens Have No Expiration Dates

Sunscreens have expiration dates. After that date, they cannot protect against the sun’s harmful rays.

12- The More Expensive a Sunscreen, the More Protective It Is

This is another misconception. Many high-factor, expensive sunscreens have been found not to provide the expected extra protection, particularly because their water resistance is not superior to that of standard sunscreens. You also do not need a separate sunscreen for your face.

In conclusion, all sunscreens have a single purpose: protection against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays! A standard sunscreen with a factor of 15-30 does this very well when used regularly.

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- Sunscreens Reduce Skin Cancer Risk, but Beware of Unsafe Products