New online trend to say it's better not to wear sunscreen

[Mummabear04]

Has anyone else come across this? People claiming sunscreen is carcinogenic and that you shoud never use it. These people are not even putting it on their kids?! Am I the only one who thinks this is absolute madness?

Yes, one of my old GPs used to say sun on the face and arms for 15 minutes a day. Good for Vitamin D and depression apparently.

There is no such thing as natural sunscreen that is safe and the fact people think there is very worrying

Yes, I agree about the eyesight. I was diagnosed with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) at the age of 58. I understand most people aren't diagnosed with it until they are in their 60s. I didn't often wear sunglasses when I was younger, and the ones I did wear were only cheap ones, so offered no protection from UVA or UVB. I have had a DNA health check which says I have a significantly low risk of developing AMD (not sure how accurate that is though), so can only assume it's been caused by the sun. I now have a decent pair of sunglasses which I wear as soon as I am in the sun, even during the autumn and winter.

This isn't madness. There are natural alternatives. Virtually no skin cancers are found on the face, why is that? When all our faces are always exposed. I think there is some truth in it and will start looking into alternatives myself.

Virtually no skin cancers are found on the face, why is that?

Are you kidding? The face, the scalp, the ears, are prime locations for skin cancers.

You know why, because they think it causes cancer.

I don’t use sunscreen much, I just wear long-sleeved shirts. These also protect you from insect bites.

I think there's evidence to support that traditional suncream is full of toxic substances, but there are many more natural products available now. They were more expensive at first, but are now much more affordable. They feel nicer on the skin, are better for the skin, aren't as greasy and don't have the artificial smell of most sunscreens. I can't imagine not using suncream on children's very delicious skin.

You really need to educate yourself. You plainly know zero about skin cancers.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20377605#:~:text=Most%20skin%20cancers%20happen%20on%20parts%20of%20the%20body%20that,%2C%20face%2C%20lips%20and%20ears.

No, it's because the best protection against sunburn is staying inside during peak hours.

I feel like people have somehow forgotten that

I only wear it if I am out in strong sun. I like some tinted mineral SPFs (especially Clinique City Block 25). A tube lasts me a year.

I'm in Australia and at my annual sight check, the ophthalmologist always asks do I wear sunglasses. I do. It's a standard question here. I have several pairs of good quality ones and wear them whenever it's sunny, all year round. Now I think of it, it has to be very overcast for me not to wear them.

what are you on? Of course they are.

my mil has had 3 removed from her face and scalp in the last 5 years.

the utter bollocks on this thread. No wonder people buy into all the toxic sunscreen conspiracies. No need for statistics of facts, just make up your own theories and present it as “science”

or just write FACT after your crap, we all know that makes it irrevocably true..

Statistics please!

I don’t believe this is the case.

This is absolutely not true. Where in earth do you get that from?

That’s absolute nonsense. They are found on the face, it’s an incredible common area.

I was never told about that growing up in England. My DP never bought me a pair of sunglasses, apart from maybe a cheap novelty pair when I was very young, but certainly not in my teens. My DF had a pair of clip on ones to go over his prescription glasses, and my DM didn't own a pair, but she very rarely sat in the sun. DM used to say I had to look after my teeth and my feet, but never mentioned my eyes!

I have lost a tiny spot of central vision in my right eye, but it's not that noticeable. The main problem at the moment, is my loss of facial recognition! That causes me so many problems!

If people are genuinely covering up and staying out of the sun, I can’t see the problem - DS used to hate having it applied, so putting him in UV top and sun hat and keeping him in the shade between 11-3pm was easier and probably more effective than badly-applied sunscreen applied to a kicking screaming four year old.

I wear long-lasting factor 50 sunscreen myself pretty much daily, but I do still sometimes burn if I am out all day. So I try to do both now - cover up and stay out of the sun, but use sunblock on exposed skin.

Obviously the cancer conspiracy theorists are just loons.

There seems to be quite a few natural organic ones available with a high SPF. I would certainly prefer to use one of them rather than the ones loaded with man-made chemicals, but obviously that depends on your budget.

Surely you don't really think that everyone who doesn't use sunscreen will die of melanoma?

Plenty of people have already corrected you, but I am just going to leave this infographic here. The face makes up 5% of the skin surface area, but 13-23% of melanomas occur there (depending on gender). Why might that be? Could it possibly be the increased sun exposure? 🤔

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/melanoma-skin-cancer/incidence#heading-Three

edited to say wrong post quotes - hopefully it’s obvious who I’m replying to!

Is there a sense that suncream is like seatbelts in cars ? Knowing you are "safe" leads to risky behaviour ?

Or is it just another expression of anti vax dimness ?

Define “man made chemical”

exogenous insulin for diabetics is man made.

this is a common product found in many homes.

which are the man made chemicals? Are any natural?

It’s about balance. Your kids should where sunscreen when they need to - ie when they’re out in the sun for long periods and it’s strong sun. This is rarely in the U.K.

My kids don’t typically wear sunscreen to school but I know some parents put it on everyday at 7am just in case and then send them off to school where they spend most of the day inside other than playtime. Whereas I would put it on if I know they’re playing sport outside for several hours in the middle of the day or if they’re out on a school trip and it’s a sunny day. This way they get some vitamin d but don’t get sun damage.

To be fair, this isn't something I am particularly interested in as I grew up in the 60s and 70s when sun screen wasn't really a 'thing'. Common sense prevailed! Personally, I just prefer to use more natural products where possible, but each to their own.