The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

Ea Ea — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 06:58:55 GMT

The book Sunshine (also called Sunshine Could Save Your Life ) by Zane Kime is a goldmine of information about the benefits of sunshine. It goes far beyond vitamin D. It is out of print now, but is available as a used book from many sources -- and could be obtained on Interlibrary Loan.

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

SurvivorMomof2 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:52:49 GMT

Is skin cancer one of the 77 types of cancers that sunscreen avoidance will prevent?

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

Aimsta — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 00:23:28 GMT

I've done a lot of research on the internet regarding sunscreen ingredients, and have found that far and away the best sunscreen commercially available is UV Natural (see http://www.uvnaturalusa.com/ for ingredients). They use coated nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient, and definitely check out http://www.uvnaturalusa.com/htm/whats-new.asp (and follow the links) for references concerning coated nano-sized titanium dioxide vs. nano-sized zinc oxide.

Most physical sunscreens employ TD (titanium dioxide) as the main or only active ingredient, and this is problematic for several reasons:

1) there is evidence that nano-sized TD and ZO (zinc oxide) particles are small enough to enter cells, but there is no evidence yet that these particles can pass through the upper epidermal layer to the bloodtream, when applied to unbroken skin. there is evidence that TD nano-particles, even when coated, are significantly photoreactive - and upon entry to a cell, could cause DNA damage with UV exposure. Coated ZO has shown neglible photoreactivity.

(see above link on uv natural site for references)

2) there is evidence that TD is less effective than ZO in blocking long-wave UVA rays:

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1524-4725.2000.99237.x?journalCode=dsu

3) Ttitanium dioxide is a highly processed ingredient, and as opposed to zinc mines, which are usually underground, TD is usually found in ores bound to impurities and recovered using open pit, “strip” mining technology, which is often quite destructive to the environment. (see http://www.mwnaturalfoods.coop/mix/?article=376)

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

Peggylynn — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 17:33:50 GMT

I know suncreen can be harmful and I know how important it is to get your Vit. D from the sun. But how do your protect yourself from the aging affects of the sun, wrinkling, leathery skin, age spots etc. and still spend time in the sun without suncreen. Thanks, Peggy

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

louisawilliams — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:45:20 GMT

Although good nutrition and supplementation can certainly reduce burning, I find that most patients - especially here in California - still need protection in the direct sun. Lotions that are free of parabens and other toxic chemicals include Sunblock Lotion (SuperSalve.com), Jason Sunbrellas Sun Care (health food stores carry) and (if you aren't sensitive to PABA) Real Purity Suntan Lotion (RealPurityTM.com). For more information on other "clean" personal care products and cosmetics see Chapter II in my recent book, Radical Medicine, or my ebooklet, Home-Brewed Cancer: A Guide to Choosing the Most Non-Toxic and Best Performing Cosmetics, Soaps and Personal Care Products at www.radicalmedicine.com.

Dr. Louisa Williams

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

pexx421 — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 03:25:22 GMT

i posted this on the other board but i'll post it here too. My girlfriend is in naturopathic school, and we like to try out the things she learns there, so here was a neat one. Last time we went to florida to bask on the beach, we started supplementing one week prior with large doses of C, E, and carotenoids. at this same time we used NO sunscreen at all, and yet we still didnt burn, despite the fact that we spent most of each day out on the beach, and in the water.

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

Goldberry116 — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 15:23:54 GMT

I've always hated wearing sunblock anyway (it clogs my pores -- even the stuff that's supposed to be "non-comedogenic" -- and irritates my already sensitive skin). Now I have even more reason not to use the dreadful stuff. Also, has anyone else noticed that sunscreen breaks down over time (and it doesn't even take that much time) and therefore becomes less effective?

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

Susan M — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 08:57:36 GMT

I admit I have been paralyzed by the choices for sunscreens. I had a basal cell carcoma removed several years ago from my leg, and just last year was diagnosed with a rare type of NHL. I sit and watch the ads on tv, read them in magazines in great detail, peruse the ailses in health food stores and just can not make a decision. After reading this tid bit from Dr. Mercola I think I won't be making any purchases of sunscreen. I have purchased a large floppy hat to wear, go out early in the morning or later in the day and just try to use some common sense about sun exposure.

I live in Washington state on the Pacific NW side where we get little sunshine - so my naturopath did a Vit D test of my blood, it barely registered any! So I am on a large dose of drops plus a mulitiplicity of supplements while going through cancer treatment. I am very GRATEFUL for the information that Dr. Mercola makes available to us. He challenges me to investigate deeper and I appreciate this.

Thank you!

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

ilvsockmonkeys — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 06:20:51 GMT

So healthy people don't need a special daily sunscreen.... you need sunlight for your Vitamin D right?

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

Alan845 — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 03:45:48 GMT

I totally agree that most commercial sunscreens are toxic and carcinogenic. I never use them. In a trial I performed on myself, I found that comfrey leaves infused in olive oil are as effective as a SPF15 commercial, but relatively 'safe', sunscreen. Normally I build up a tan gradually without using any protection.

Is it not interesting that the incidence of skin cancer has increased at about the same rate as the use of polyunsaturated oils in the diet? And is it not also interesting that our skin is oiled from the inside from oils in our diet, and that exposure of polyunsaturated oils to the sunlight can cause them to break down to form carcinogenic compounds? This surely cannot simply be coincidence. So eat saturated or monounsaturated oils to prevent carcinogens forming on your skin in the sun.

In the southern hemisphere, where I am, some sun about now would be great. Cheers

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

dairyfree — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:47:48 GMT

What about just plain ZINO OXIDE? Sometimes I want to be out in the sun all day long but don't want a burned face and shoulders? Isn't zinc safe? The sun's rays are alot stronger now than when I was a kid.

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

pookey — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:09:48 GMT

I make my own sunscreen. I use a base of a cold-pressed, organic carrier oil, or extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil, aloe vera gel, vitamen c powder, sesame oil, and I usually add a natural insect repellent to it, such as citronella (100% eo), cat nip eo, and peppermint eo. Coconut and manoi oils are great too. No way I'm going to slather on that goop they try to ram down our collective throats.

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

Patty D — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:00:34 GMT

I grew up on the gulf coast of Florida. I do not tan at all, so my childhood was one blistering sunburn after another. By the time I was in my 30s, I had multiple precancerous lesions and in 1993, had squamous cell cancer above my lip. This area has been treated surgically and with liquid nitrogen at least 6 times, yet actinic keratosis always returns. I rarely use sunscreen because most of them cause me to itch and break out...and I've never liked the idea of putting more chemicals on my skin. So, I think excessive sun damage CAN cause skin cancer, on the other hand, I believe the chemicals cause more. I'll just leave the stuff alone and keep getting my face frozen.

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

Coeli — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 16:02:05 GMT

The Envrionmental Working Group just released a wonderful study they did on 783 name-brand sunscreen products. Of those they tested they found only 17 products to be Effective and Low Hazard. The first one on their list to be the most safe and effective is Badger SPF 30.

To read about this study go to
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens/summary.php
and scroll down.

You can click on the table of products to see which ones fell into which categories. Or you can enter a brand name on the side to check on a specific sunscreen.

As for Aubrey, they are not the best products listed, but they are far from being the worst. Aside from their sunscreen Badger products are typically very safe, almost all, if not all, are edible, meaning you can eat them. I use their products in my massage practice and find them to be supreme quality salves, oils, soaps, and lip balms.

My mom, who works in Whole Foods, has been promoting them for a long time and people are finally starting to catch on how wonderful they are. She was thrilled when the study came out showing their sunscreen as #1. The next day she went into work they had already sold out of the Badger SPF30 sunscreen.

Aubrey Organics Green Tea Sunblock for Children is listed as # 16. Badger SPF15 is not in the top 17 listed. #2 listed is Peter Thomas Roth Titanium Dioxide Sunblock (SPF 30).

re: The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer

courtney_3 — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 14:42:28 GMT

Studies show that vitamin D levels can remain low despite abundant sun exposure. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070629/hl_nm/vitamin_d_dc

Meanwhile, other studies have shown that sunscreen prevents DNA damage to skin. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowD

Also, the author of this article states that sunscreens have never been tested or approved for safety by the FDA. How can this be true when sunscreen is considered by the FDA as not a cosmetic but a drug, and as such they are required to be tested?

Finally, the Aubrey sunblock that Dr. Mercola recommends contains the chemical PABA which "increases the formation of a particular DNA defect in human cells, thus increasing the risk of skin cancer in people who lack the mechanisms to repair these cellular defects." Most doctors will recommend avoiding sunscreen ingredients containg PABA and instead using ones with Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, and/or Avobenzone. Avobenzone is a chemical filter while Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are physical sun filters. If you don't want to or cannot use chemical sunscreen ingredients stick to sunscreens containing only zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. http://www.naturalhealthmag.com/Skin%20Savers/health_wellness/94