INTERESTING ENGINEERING – Sunblocks helps to protect the skin from the sun by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering its UV rays but it does have its limitations leading to something called the sunscreen paradox.
Now, two new studies are highlighting its dangers.
Studies conducted in Canada and the UK
First, researchers put together 23 focus groups in order to determine the factors that contribute to the different rates of skin cancer, called melanoma, in Canada’s Atlantic provinces.
They found that residents of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, two Canadian provinces with high rates of melanoma, were more likely to use sun protection, to be knowledgeable on the health-related dangers of sun exposure, and to adhere to the UV index.
“Sunscreen is important, but it is also the least effective way to protect your skin when compared to sun protective clothing, rash guards, and sun avoidance.”
Despite this, they also were subjected to increased levels of sun exposure leading to more skin cancer diagnoses.
The researchers attributed this to the warmer weather in these regions and citizens’ propensity for outdoor activities.
Meanwhile, a second investigation of the UK Biobank revealed that sunscreen use was unexpectedly linked to a more than twofold increase in the chance of acquiring skin cancer in the small nation.
“These combined findings suggest a sunscreen paradox, whereby individuals with higher levels of sun exposure also tend to use more but not an adequate quantity of sunscreen or other sun-protection measures, providing a false sense of security,” said Dr. Ivan Litvinov …
