For northerners, an escape to the tropics after a long winter is often the goal. The downside is that skin cancer is on the increase in many countries. Part of the problem is that wrong information is getting distributed by people that have a vested interested in the trend continuing.
The first part of this article will address prevention of skin damage by the sun, while the second part will look at how to deal with skin cancer if it has taken hold.
The Sunscreen Myth
In Canada, Europe and Australia only three active ingredients are allowed to be sold as sun blocks; avobenzone (Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. Avobenzone works by absorbing the harmful radiation from the sun, which it then released as damaging free radicals on the skin. Although radiation from the sun is known to be a carcinogen, free radicals create the breeding ground for cancer to develop. So while avobenzone claims to offer sun protection, it is actually promoting the growth of cancers and aging.
Dr Cedric Garland, professor of family medicine at the University of California, and Frank Garland, director of Naval Health Research Center, have stated that although sunscreen protects against sunburn, there is no proof that they protect against melanoma or carcinomas. Dr Gordon Ainsleigh has also gone as far to say that sunscreens cause more deaths than they prevent. Various studies have linked sunscreen usage with high incidence of melanomas, birth defects, sterility, and uterine conditions such as endometriosis. It is suspect that the countries promoting heavy sunscreen usage (Australia, USA) have the biggest increase in skin cancers.
Better Sunscreens
While most sunscreens read like a toxic list of chemicals, zinc oxide based sunscreens offer a healthier alternative. Zinc creams block the harmful UVA and UVB radiation instead of absorbing them and converting them to free radicals. A downside of zinc sunscreens is that they are more expensive. Application ease also ranges between products so if one doesn’t feel right then try another brand. A popular brand favoured by the surfing crowd is Himaya.
Titanium dioxide has not been studied long enough to know whether it is a threat or not.
Aloe for Skin Repair
Alove vera is truly a remarkable plant. Used internally it helps heal the gut; externally it heals the skin. No surprise that slathering the body in aloe gel after sunbathing helps heal sunburn more rapidly. Although there are no major studies on whether it prevents skin cancer, it does heal sunburns, especially if it is applied quickly after coming out of the sun.
Antioxidants to Protect the Skin
Anti-oxidants protect body tissue from damage by free radicals. So it would be wise to have a diet strong in anti-oxidants when going into the sun, and maybe consider extra supplements such as CoQ-10, Vitamin, Vitamin E, selenium, and Vitamin B.
Building Up a Sun Tolerance
Exposure to the sun is very important to healthy functioning of the body. It is only when too much intensity of the sun is encountered that there is a problem. Like most things, if exposure to the sun is gradual and continual, then the body will develop its own protection.
The second part will look at Treatments for skin cancer and sun damaged skin.
References
Dr. Gordon Ainsleigh Preventive Medicine February 1993
Dr Cedric Garland and Dr Frank Garland – University of California
Ric Weinman Vortex Healing Newsletter 2006 –Warning about Sunscreen article
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