Dermatology Services
Are You Using the Right Sunscreen?
An advocacy group has released new data that shows the high SPF number on your sunscreen may have little to do with preventing a sunburn. KSL News interviewed Dr. Glen Bowen, dermatologist at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He says Utahns need to be careful this summer. "You'll burn about 42 percent faster in Salt Lake than you will at Malibu Beach because of the elevation." Bowen says.
New research from the Environmental Work Group suggests the protection you thought you were getting from the 50-plus sunscreen may be over rated. Among the conclusions:
- There's little evidence any sunscreen above SPF 50 makes a difference. People who use it tend to just stay in the sun longer.
- Some ingredients in sunscreen can actually do more harm than good.
Dermatologists recommend against the many sunscreens that contain vitamin A, or retinyl palmitate. Early data suggests it led to increased skin tumors in lab animals.
Bowen suggests using sunscreens that have limited ingredients but include minerals like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
"My advice would be keep it simple," he says. "If you can keep it as simple as possible, the better off you are. So, the longer that list of ingredients, the less likely I am to put it on my children."
Doctors add the best protrection against sun isn't sunscreen, but clothes.
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