Is there any study with significant scientific value proving that sunscreen can directly or indirectly cause skin cancer?
I do believe that they protect the skin from the UVA and UVB thus reducing the risk of cancer.
Oxybenzone is being mentioned as a sunscreen chemical with high risk of causing cancer. Retinyl Palmitate is mentioned to be increasing the speed of development of malignant cells. However, after analysis of the ingredients of several sunscreen creams and lotions (Nivea, Garnier Ambre Solaire and Eucerin Sun Protection) I didn't find any of these compounds.
According to the current published evidence sunscreens are known to prevent cancers.
Sunscreens protect the body from UVA and UVB.
However there had been reports where chemicals like zinc oxide and titanium oxide used in sunscreens have been questioned for there potential carcinogenicity.
However there is no evidence if these products cause cancer or are completely safe.
May be in future will have the correct answer.
But any cosmetic product could be harmful.
Thus this could be a potential research topic to test it's safety.
Sunscreens employ UV filters: molecules specifically designed to help reduce the amount of UV rays that reach through the skin surface. A film of these molecules forms a protective barrier either absorbing (chemical filters) or reflecting (physical blockers) UV photons before they can be absorbed by our DNA and other reactive molecules deeper in the skin
Aseem Mishra,
But zinc oxide and other zinc compounds are very largely used in old cosmetic products for acne and dandruff treatments. Are their potential carcinogenicity have been tested on rodents?
No, they don't !
please make the difference between risk (chance that adverse effect occur) and hazard (ability to cause an adverse effect)
No risk to cause skin cancer but of course there are some hazards to use UV filters, as all products, even water !
Please see specífic references into my papers «A Brief Ilustrated history on sunscreens and sun protection» PAC 2015, and more recent in «Cosmetics» May 2018 on dibenzoylmethane and substituted chalcones UV filters.
I am not a researcher in this area, but while I was looking for an answer to this question because of ‘personal’ curiosity, I came across with your question. Today I have read below news:
http://awarenessact.com/recent-study-shows-how-sunscreen-causes-cancer-not-the-sun/?=wuw
What is your opinion?
I think we really need scientific proves and advice!
Ferhan Kuyucak Sengur,
Well this news article is interesting but I can't find any scientific evidence in it. Also the source looks unreliable and Dr. Plourde has degrees in Biological Science and Psychology which I don't find related to this topic of research.
Dear Ferhan
Papers showing that sunscreen cause cancer are completly false, mainly due to a big bias in the studies - people using sunscreen stay most of the time longer exposed to the sun then have a bigger risk to develop cancers.
I kindly invite you to read real scientific paper from A Green. Fantastic publication !
Article Reduced Melanoma After Regular Sunscreen Use: Randomized Tri...
Oncologist
I agree, only scientific litterature withe randomized trials could give pertinent informations
in such way, sunscreens are able to prevent skin cancers,either squamous celle carcinomas or melanomas.
But you have to consider skin type and individual sensitivity
Dear Georgi, Mark and Philippe,
Thank you for your answers. I will consider your advices. I believe ‘real’ scientists should reach and enlighten public in all areas!!!
@ Georgi Varbanov
Please take a look at the following RG link
Article Sunscreen Use and the Risk for Melanoma: A Quantitative Review
Thanks!
Wrong use of sunscreen is one of the leading causes of skin cancer, so be careful to use the appropriate amount of sunscreen on the parts exposed to the sun.
Need more detailed research in this matter. Anyway for the time being we need sunscreen to protect from skin cancer.
As I think there is no truth data confirms that sunscreen agents cause skin cancer. But we all know that the sun causes most skin cancers.
Please see the attached link:
https://blog.skincancer.org/2018/06/06/sunscreen-safety/
The data on sunscreen use and cancer risk are complex, but on balance suggest that the short-term and long-terms benefits of sunscreens significantly outweigh their risks when used during periods of unavoidable exposure.
You can return to the following link:
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/do-sunscreens-cause-cancer/
Sunscreens do not favour cancer, excess irradiation to sunlight does!
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