5 harmful misconceptions about sunlight and sunscreen

1. Chemicals in sunscreen cause cancer

The American Academy of Dermatology has clarified that sunscreens are safe and protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation. Oxybenzone is one of the ingredients in sunscreens that many people fear may be linked to cancer. However, sunscreens containing this FDA-approved ingredient have not been shown to cause cancer and are recommended for both adults and children over 6 months of age.

2. The danger from ultraviolet rays only occurs on hot sunny days.

This is simply not true because the damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays is independent of temperature or weather conditions. Therefore, it is not only dangerous on hot, sunny days, but can also occur on cool, cloudy days when UV rays can penetrate.

If you have access to the UV index on the internet or a weather forecast, note that any index above 3 requires the use of sunscreen to protect your skin.

3. Dark-skinned people are naturally protected from the sun.

Melanin is the natural pigment that gives skin its color, and it is produced in greater amounts in darker-skinned people. Pigments provide some level of protection, but dark skin does not offer any extra protection against sun damage and skin cancer, says Maritza Perez, MD, associate professor of clinical dermatology at Columbia University in New York City.

Dr. Perez added that this thinking is dangerous because it leaves people with darker skin less protected from the sun, making their skin more vulnerable. This explains why skin cancer is more common in people with lighter skin but tends to be more dangerous in people with darker skin.

4. Tanning beds are safer than natural sunlight

Tanning beds are often used by women to tan their skin and many people believe that when using this type of bed, they are not affected by UV rays like with outdoor sunlight.

However, whether you get sunlight or artificial sources like tanning beds, your risk of skin cancer is the same, says Dr. Linda Robb-Nicholson of Boston, USA. There are three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. While UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer and cannot reach us, UVA and UVB rays penetrate the layers of the atmosphere and cause problems ranging from premature aging to eye damage and skin cancer.

Dr. Robb-Nicholson explains that UVA radiation is three times higher inside a tanning bed than UVA in natural sunlight.

5. Glass windows are sufficient to protect against the sun

Glass windows can filter out UVB rays but they do not protect against UVA rays. Therefore, people who spend a lot of time in their cars may want to consider tinting their windows to reduce their risk of sun damage. This can reduce UVA rays by up to four times compared to regular glass. But this is only a supplement and not a substitute for sunscreen.