"Are sunscreens all they are cracked up to be?"

June 1, 2010 - PRLog -- What is SPF that we hear about so often?

The SPF of a sunscreen is a laboratory measure of the effectiveness of sunscreen - the higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn). There are two systems for SPF. American SPF numbers are double the SPF numbers on European products. An American SPF 20 sunscreen is the same as SPF 10 in Europe. It is not always clear on the packaging which system is being used.

The SPF indicates the time a person with sunscreen applied can be exposed to sunlight before getting sunburn relative to the time a person without sunscreen can be exposed. This assumes constant solar intensity over the time period. The SPF is an imperfect measure of skin damage because invisible damage and skin aging is also caused by the very common ultraviolet type A (wavelength 320 to 400nm), which does not cause reddening or pain. Conventional sunscreen does not block UVA as effectively as it does UVB, and an SPF rating of 30+ may translate to significantly lower levels of UVA protection.

The Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) method is a method of measuring UVA protection, similar to the SPF method of measuring UVB light protection. Originally developed in Japan, it is the preferred method used by manufacturers such as L'Oreal. The purpose of melanin is to absorb UV radiation and dissipate the energy as harmless heat, blocking the UV from damaging skin tissue. UVA gives a quick tan that lasts for days by oxidizing melanin that was already present and triggers the release of the melanin from melanocytes. UVB on the other hand yields a tan that takes roughly 2 days to develop because it stimulates the body to produce more melanin.

How does UVA damage the skin in terms of ageing, and can it lead to cancerous cells?

UVA, UVB and UVC can all damage collagen fibers and thereby accelerate aging of the skin. Both UVA and UVB destroy vitamin A in skin causing further damage. In the past, UVA was considered less harmful, but today it is known that it can contribute to skin cancer via indirect DNA damage (free radicals and reactive oxygen species). It penetrates deeply but it does not cause sunburn. UVA does not damage DNA directly like UVB and UVC, but it can generate highly reactive chemical intermediates, such as hydroxyl and oxygen radicals, which in turn can damage DNA. Because it does not cause reddening of the skin (erythema) it cannot be measured in SPF testing. Some doctors blame the absence of UVA filters insunscreens for the higher melanoma-risk that was found for sunscreen users.

UVB light can cause direct DNA damage. The radiation excites DNA molecules in skin cells, causing abnormal bonds to form, producing something called a dimer. When DNA enzymes comes along to replicate this strand of DNA, it reads the dimer wrongly causing a mutation, which can result in cancerous growths. This cancer connection is one reason for concern about ozone depletion and the ozone hole. UVB causes some damage to collagen but at a very much slower rate than UVA.

Do you know if sunbeds are just solo UVA rays and is that why people can use them because UVB is absent?

A sunbed emits typically 95% UVA and 5% UVB, +/-3% to produce a cosmetic tan

I'd say 50-100 on each would be perfect. I'm not trying to do a really high-tech piece but I thought if people knew that SPF50+=PPD22, it might make people top-up more often rather than thinking that would be enough coverage for a whole day you know?

What do you think about the heavy aggressive marketing of sunscreens?

Personally. I don't widely advise liberal everyday use of sunscreen (except in Skin type 1 and 11 who transmigrate to high UV areas such as Queensland or Arizona) if it is solely used to stay in the sun for a longer period. I must say I am a bit unsure about their medical benefit outside the clinically demonstrated proven benefits against wrinkles and non-melanomatous skin cancers. I don't want the medical establishment to be seen as giving out two signals but patients should also be aware there are several epidemiological studies, which actually indicate an increased risk of melanoma after the use of regular sunscreen. This may of course be related to the fact that sunscreen is used in areas of high UV penetration or people just end up lying for a longer period in the sun. However, despite these facts, several sunscreen manufacturers presently promote their use against malignant melanoma. There are also many synthetic compounds in sunscreens associated with adverse health effects. In 2007 two studies by the CDC highlighted concerns about the sunscreen chemical oxybenzone (benzophenone-3). The first detected the chemicals in greater than 95% of 2000 Americans tested, while the second found that mothers with high levels of oxybenzone in their bodies were more likely to give birth to underweight baby girls.

Have you any other concerns about sunscreens being widely used?

Yes, my main concern is that the blocking effect of sunscreen interferes with vitamin D production. This chemical is protective against both heart attack and cancer and there is growing evidence sun may be the real cause of cardio-protection and not the mediterranean diet. There was a Vit D deficiency in Australia after a government campaign to increase sunscreen use. In fact, I would probably go out on a limb and recommend spending small amounts of time in the sun without sun protection to ensure adequate production of vitamin D. Some concerns have been raised regarding the use of nanoparticles in sunscreen, which theoretically could increase rates of certain cancers, or diseases similar to those caused by asbestos". However, I am aware that no medical person except myself has issued recommendations to be somewhat cautious in the excessive use of sunblock purely to stay in the sun longer. I deal with skin cancers every day and am quite aware of their relation to sunlight. Possibly we should compensate the blocking effect of these screens by taking extra Vit D orally. In essence, we need normal Vit D levels to protect against skin cancers and presently we are robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Any other advice?

Yes, again alway remember, nature tells us when we have been in the sun too long.....you begin to burn!
--

# # #

Ailesbury Clinics Ltd is the leading provider of advanced medical aesthetic skin care in Ireland. It was awarded Best Medical Practice in Ireland 2005.

Further details WEBSITE http://www.ailesburyclinic.ie
PHONE +3531 2692255/ 2133 Fax 2692250