Article Title: Sunscreens Can Damage Skin
Author: Robert Trow
"excerpt reprinted from Les Nouvelles Esthetiques, April 2007"

"A recent study conducted by the University of California, Riverside, found that filters in sunscreen that help to keep out ultraviolet radiation can generate compounds that attack skin cells. In this study, researchers found: many ingredients in sunscreens penetrate the skin which is something not perceived as healthy plus sunscreens generate Reactive Species (ROS) which are harmful compounds.

UV filters in these products reduce the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate the skin. Over time, these filters penetrate into the skin themselves, below the epidermis, leaving the body vulnerable to UV radiation. Many sunscreen also contain nano particles that can also facilitate the penetration of the harmful ingredients into the skin.

The study found that three UV filters (Octyl methoxycinnamate, benzophenone-3 and octocrylene) which are widely used in suncreens generate naturally produced ROS. Additional ROS are generated only when the UV filters have penetrated into the skin. One must reapply the sunscreens frequently to help prevent this. The study proposes that sunscreens that combine UV filters with antioxidants may be a good solution as antioxidants have been shown to reduce UV induced ROS levels in the skin.

In skin that has been exposed to the sun, ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by skin molecules and can generate ROS, a harmful compound that can cause oxidative damage. In simple terms ROS reacts with cell walls, lipid membranes, mitochondria and DNA, leading to skin damage and increasing the signs of aging. This recent study is consistent with the finding of a 1999 study that suggested the cocktail chemicals involved in sunscreen could cause cell damage and lead to increased risk of cancer to due to the creation of free radicals.

There have been many studies on the topic of sunscreens and cancer over the past decade. While the conclusions vary, several prominent researchers believe that using higher SPF products can lead to higher rates of melanoma.

In one of the more widely quoted studies on sunscreen use that dates back to the early 1990s, Drs. Cedric and Frank Garland believe that using higher SPF sunscreens lead to individuals staying out in the sun longer via false sense of security coupled with the fact that UVA rays penetrate into the body and may well have a depressing effect on the body's immune system.

One of the larges studies of sunscreens and skin cancer conducted in Australia lead to the conclusion that while products do a better job protecting against ultraviolet rays (UVB & UVC), they do little to stop UVA rays which may play a significant role in the formation of melanomas.

Despite popular opinion to the contrary, there is little difference between an SPF of 15 and 60 despite common belief that there is a major increase in protection. In this case more may be worse. We also need to remember that SPF rating only measures the ability to filter out UVB rays not the more dangerous UVA. The Federal Government is fast at work revising the entire sunscreen rating system to help better inform us all.

What should we tell our clients about sunscreen use? It may be wise to use and SPF of 15 (gives you 90% protection) vs. 60 (only slightly more) as the higher rating may lead to staying out in the sun longer, providing a false sense of security and increasing the amount of chemicals that can both penetrate into the skin and exacerbate signs of aging and melanoma development.

The use of sunscreens that contain physical and chemical blockers plus antioxidants are best. It may also be wise to apply an antioxidant cream that contains vitamin E and C on top of your sunscreen to help limit free radical formation and the resulting chemical damage"

I don't have the original link to this article since it was posted on a forum here:www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=13673

I just bought Neutrogena's Age Shield Face Spf 70 sunblock. After doing some research on the ingredients I'm thinking about returning it. After reading this article it sounds like Octisalte is no good. I've also have been reading about Oxybenzone and that sounds just as bad!

I've been using Blue Lizard's Sunscreen which only contains zinc oxide and titanium oxide. The problem is it makes my face look greasy. Maybe I better purchase Avene's Sunscreen. I have only read good things about Tinosorb. I read it's an organic compound.