The release of the “2012 Sunscreen Guide” on Wednesday came with some alarming conclusions. The Environmental Working Group showed that out of the 800 sunscreens tested, only 25 percent were deemed “safe.” They go on to say that a leading chemical in many sunscreens, oxybenzone, is linked to hormone disruption and potentially to cell damage that may lead to skin cancer. Tampa dermatologist Dr. Seth Forman disagrees with their conclusion.
“One of the first issues is that there have never been any studies that show sunscreen causes cancer,” he says.
The watchdog group also concluded that consumers should not purchase sunscreens with SPF greater than 50.
“Above 30 SPF does not work, there’s no added value to it and they are often more expensive,” the Tampa dermatologist says.
Since the report says only 1 out of 4 sunscreens are safe, the Tampa dermatologist believes people should use physical blockers for UVA, not chemical blockers.
“The best thing is physical blockers, clothing, hats, sunglasses, shade and umbrellas. Nothing beats that.”
Although sunscreen safety results have risen 20 percent in the last year, Forman believes that there is still progress to be made.
“Sunscreens are not perfect yet, but any protection is better than no protection,” he says.
For more on Dr. Seth Forman, Tampa dermatology or Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, please visit: http://www.formanderm.com
About Dr. Seth Forman: Dr. Forman is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Tampa, Florida. He was voted the “Best Dermatologist in Carrollwood” in August 2011 by the Carrollwood News and Tribune. In December 2011, he opened his new Tampa dermatology office, Forman Dermatology and Skin Cancer Institute, where he gives psoriasis sufferers access to the latest treatment options, including topical and oral medications, as well as biological and phototherapy. Dr. Forman is one of the few Tampa dermatologists to offer narrowband light therapy, which uses pharmaceutical grade light to suppress psoriasis. He’s also one of the few board-certified dermatologists in the U.S. to use the SRT-100 radiotherapy to treat basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer.
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View an analysis of the report by CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/16/health/sunscreen-report/index.html?hpt=hp_bn12
Direct link: https://prnewschannel.com/2012/05/21/tampa-dermatologist-explains-2012-sunscreen-guide/SOURCE: The Publicity Agency
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Good to see a dermatologist championing staying out of the sun as a first line of defense.
There have however been well controlled studies demonstrating oxybenzone bioaccumulation and estrogenic activity. Search “CDC and Oxybenzone” on google if you want to read more. A recent one was published by NIH in March on estrogenic activity and allergenicity of sunscreens as well.
Petrochemical sunscreens are universally benzene-based chemicals that in sunscreen formulations are present at high concentrations – this causes a typical user to be exposed to several to tens of grams of these chemicals in a single outing at the beach, much of which is absorbed systemically into blood, tissue, organs, etc.
It’s common biochemical sense that such exposure levels would have consequences, so to say petrochemical sunscreens are safe is a questionable assertion. To be accurate, one can say they are not acutely toxic, but given their structure activity relationship and composition, as the biochemist and dermatology pharmaceutical development scientist that I am, I wouldn’t put them on my skin.
Google Green Screen Organic Sunscreen if you want a great petrochemical-free zinc oxide sunscreen.
Thanks Erik, it’s nice to have a useful comment from one who is experienced in this line of work…I hope other’s realize the dangers of some of their suncreen ingredients. Thanks for the google suggestion on an alternative sunscreen, I appreciate your valuable opinion.