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... generation of reactive oxygen species, so called free radicals. However, the recent studies indicate that the amount of free radicals generated by the body, as the reaction to application of sunscreens, can be significantly lowered with the mean of increasing the consumption of Vitamin C. Apparently, it would be wrong to assume that we should not worry about the possible consequences of chemical sunscreens application, as we are being assured by their manufactures.
Even though that claims of chemical sunscreens actually causing a cancer have been proven as groundless, it remains a fact that the majority of people who use them, do not fully understand of how they work. It is very doubtful of whether allowing a variety of chemical elements into the body can be beneficial to our health. (4) Loren Pickart's article The Chemical Sunscreen Health Disaster, suggests that, contrary to the claims of Healthcare officials, chemical sunscreens are capable of causing harm to our health: In March 1998, Dr. John Knowl and of the University of Oxford reported studies showing that certain sunscreens containing PABA and its derivatives can damage DNA, at least in the test tube experiments. When a chemical sunscreen, Padimate-O, was added to DNA and the mixture exposed to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight, it was found that the sunscreen broke down in sunlight, releasing highly active agents that could damage DNA. It did not block out the UV, but instead absorbed energy (Pickart). Thus, people who want to protect their skin from UV radiation need to think twice, before choosing in favor of chemical sunscreens. (5) Even though physical sunscreens are not generally associated with harmful side effects, they are still capable of triggering allergic reaction, after being applied to the skin.
In addition, some people might develop a skin rush, as result of using physical sunscreens. However, this does not happen very often, which is why these sunscreens are being considered as comparatively safe. The situation is quite different with chemical sunscreens. As we have mentioned earlier, the principle of their effectiveness is based on allowing chemicals to be absorbed by the body, in order for UV-A and UV-B radiation to be transformed into the heat. In its turn, this initiates the creation of free radicals in the blood, which are associated with variety of diseases.
People, who are known to use chemical sunscreens on regular basis, have increased levels of estrogen in their bodies. As result, they are at risk of developing sexual dysfunctions. Even the most ardent defenders of chemical sunscreens cannot deny the fact that the usage of these sunscreens often leads to bodys intoxication, because the majority of chemicals, contained in chemical sunscreens, cannot be removed naturally. Instead, these chemicals are being accumulated in bodys fat.
In recent years, new allegations that chemical sunscreens cause cancer began to appear again. In his article Could Sunscreens Increase Melanoma Risk? , Cedric Garland mentions facts that prove that there is a link between the usage of chemical sunscreens and cancer: Worldwide, the greatest rise in melanoma has been experienced in countries where chemical sunscreens have been heavily promoted The rise in melanoma has been exceptionally high in Queensland, Australia where the medical establishment has vigorously promoted the use of sunscreens. Queensland now has more incidences of melanoma per capita than any other place on Earth (American Journal of Public Health, 1992). Nevertheless, despite numerous indications that chemical sunscreens pose danger to peoples health, their popularity continues to rise, because the majority of people are unaware of it. (6) There are two officially accepted standards, when it comes to measuring sunburn protection SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor). SPF is a gauge of how much time a person can be exposed to the sun, before sustaining sunburn. Thus, we can think of it as such that has relative properties.
For example, wearing sunscreen with SPF of 15 means that skin can withstand sun exposure 15 times longer than it can in an unprotected state. The main problem with SPF rating system is that it is not meant to be applied to measure the levels of UV-A protection. In other words, even though that all manufactures of sunscreens claim that their products protect from both - UV-A and UV-B radiation, SPF does not enforce the inclusion of UV-A blockers into sunscreen. (3) Also, there are no universal standards, regarding the determination of the duration of effectiveness of SPF system. It means that every individual needs to personally calculate how much time he can spend under direct sunray's, because bodily weight is one of SPF systems variables. The UPF is a relatively new system. It is meant to be applied to sun protective fabrics.
However, there is a growing pressure to make manufactures of sunscreens to comply with UPF, because it also measures UV-A protection. In August of 2007, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration proposed the inclusion of UV-A protection rating in SPF, which would require manufactures of sunscreens to have their claims corresponding to the actual state of affairs. For example, it would be impossible for the sunscreen to be advertised as such that protects from both types of suns radiation, unless this claim is being confirmed by FDA.
According to proposal, companies that choose not to do the UV-A testing, would have to label their products No UVA protection, which will significantly reduce the commercial appeal of such products. The FDA proposal makes a lot of sense, especially in the light of new discoveries that leave no doubt about the harmful nature of UV-A. If this proposal becomes a law, it will significantly increase the effectiveness of sunscreens. Even though that prices for sunscreens will rise, as result, there can be no doubt that more people are going to be willing to buy them, because they will be getting their moneys worth. Star Rating system measures the ratio of UVA to UVB performance and in combination with the SPF rating gives a more complete picture of a sunscreen formulations overall performance. This system is adopted in UK and it seems to be only the matter of time, before FDA adopts it for the use in U.
S. as it provides potential customers with easily understandable information, in regards to sunscreens actual effectiveness. Under a new regulation, FDA has proposed that sunscreen labeling be expanded to provide a four-star rating system that informs consumers how well the product protects them against UV- A. (1) (7) Just as any peoples invention, sunscreens tend to be improved over time. They have come a long way, since they were made available to the public for the first time.
Nowadays, it is actually quite impossible to imagine a modern living without the usage of sunscreens, as its integral part. At the same time, the fact that sunscreens have been around for a long time, enables us to realize a potential dangers associated with them. As we have mentioned earlier, more and more people begin to pay greater attention to the chemical elements contained in sunscreens they intend to buy. We cannot talk about the benefits of sunscreens without understanding the exact mechanism of how they work. It appears that in the future, the sales of chemical sunscreens are going to decline, because many people associate them with health hazard. However, it is only the matter of time, before new technologies will allow improving the quality of physical sunscreens.
Therefore, the usage of physical sunscreens in the future might cease to be the matter of choice and will become a widespread practice. It is very likely that there are going to be more harmful effects of chemical sunscreens realized, as time goes by, because some chemical elements contained in such sunscreens are being proven as such that affect DNA. Nowadays, more and more people strive to lead a healthy lifestyle. In its turn, such lifestyle can hardly be associated with such chemicals as Oxybenzone or Ethylhexyl being absorbed by the body. In fact, as time goes by, people might begin reconsidering their attitude towards both chemical and physical sunscreens. In his article The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer, Mike Adams comes with a revolutionary idea that, instead of using sunscreens, in order to prevent sunburns, people should simply be trying to improve their diet: Sunburn is actually caused by nutritional deficiencies that leave the skin vulnerable to DNA mutations from radiation, but if you boost your nutrition and protect your nervous system with plant-based nutrients, you " ll be naturally resistant to sunburn (Adams).
Thus, if sunscreens do have prospects in the future, it will have to do with replacing the chemical elements in their formulas, with organic ones. The pharmacological industry, as whole, is not going to welcome such changes, but it will also be unable to continue keeping people unaware of what they actually apply to their skin, while trying to avoid getting sunburn. Bibliography: Adams, M. The Sunscreen Myth: How Sunscreen Products Actually Promote Cancer.
June 15, 2007. News Target. Com. Retrieved October 27, 2007 from web Beck, S. The History of Sunscreen Skin Care. 2007. Heart Spring.
Net. Retrieved October 27, 2007 from web George, R. Screen Play: When it Comes to Sunscreen, Should You Get Physical? . 2005. Find Articles.
Com. Retrieved October 27, 2007 from web C. Could Sunscreens Increase Melanoma Risk? American Journal of Public Health, 1992; 82 (4): 614 - 615 Pickart, L. The Chemical Sunscreen Health Disaster. 2004. Skin Biology.
Com. Retrieved October 27, 2007 from web Miller, D. Vitamin D in a New Light. 2006. Lew Rockwell. Com.
Retrieved October 27, 2007 from web Outline: Introduction History Physical sunscreens Chemical sunscreens Side effects Rating system Conclusion Proposals from the US Food and Drug Administration for a new labelling system for sunscreens) Purpose of sunscreens. Determination of the duration of effectiveness Concerns regarding the generation of reactive oxygen species and ways to destroy such species
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