Why You Should Use Sun Screen

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I’m one of those lucky people who has a very dark complexion and I’ve rarely used sunscreen because I rarely burn.  Those days are gone now.  Given the overwhelming evidence of skin cancer caused by sun exposure I’m using sun screen if I plan on spending a lot of time outside.

From TheWeek:

Does sunscreen work? I’ve personally heard an answer in the negative dozens of times.

This comes from a study some researchers did a few years back comparing mortality between sunscreen-using and non-using populations, and found that sunscreen didn’t provide any benefit. It was one of those results perfectly suited for endless repetition.

However, as Aaron Carroll mentions below, this result is not very strong. On the contrary, if you put it on right, sunscreen probably does prevent skin cancer, and is definitely worth using. —Ryan Cooper

About Post Author

Shawn Dayco

Shawn lives and works in Los Angeles. He loves MadMike'sAmerica and is looking forward to writing for us. He has several advanced degrees in journalism.
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Stacey Gray
9 years ago

My Mom was the Queen of skin cancer. Upon her death, I assumed the throne. Long live the Queen!

Seriously, I’ve had so many removed they call me spot! (For those who don’t understand that, the tissue that fills the void after excising the mass remains white on otherwise naturally tinted skin) As a part time farmer and full time outdoors woman I take my sun protection pretty seriously. I probably have 8 or 10 frozen (with liquid nitrogen) every year, and have 2 or 3 biopsies that usually get it all, but occasionally they need to go further.I had one surgically removed from my face 2 weeks ago….

I read something the other day that said “If you are not using a flashlight you need to use sunscreen! That is probably good advice. I use moisturizers that are at least spf 30 first thing in the morning, and then add to that as needed all day – including in the winter. UV protecting sunglasses (I actually use wrap around welder’s glasses) and big broad brimmed hats are a must if I’m out for any length of time.

There are lines of UV protecting clothing that I use when I am going to be out for a while, canoeing or kayaking especially, but also when I am working on the farm, even mowing the yard. Coolibar (Coolibar.C0m) makes both men’s and women’s styles that are fashionable and really quite comfortable – I prefer my jacket and long wrap skirt over sunscreen, it seems quite effective, isn’t sticky, wicks away the moisture and in doing so keeps me cooler than being without it usually. (and when the bugs come out it slows them down too!) Not a commercial for Coolibar, just a suggestion for those who don’t know that such things exist.

jess
Reply to  Stacey Gray
9 years ago

I’ve got cooling cloths too Stacy. Rinse them in cold water and they last a couple hours for me. I do the big floppy hats too for beach going, Giants or some other baseball caps regularly. Same way with my moisturizer and foundation, both have sunscreen in them and I use the cream on my hands/feet too if I am wearing sandals because I don’t do panty hose at all. People sometimes forget the hands and feetz. I use Aveeno positively radiant for all my face hands/neck moisture needs.

jess
9 years ago

I’m relatively dark and I wear sunscreen all the time. Hell my foundation make up has it in it I am so careful about skin cancers. Wear hats too so my head doesn’t get burned. Menz you need to wear the hats out too, especially if your head is too big for your hair 🙂

9 years ago

And on the other hand, there are “studies” (there are always studies) that indicate a lack of vitamin D caused by avoiding all sunlight is equally as bad for your health as sunbathing. Most skin cancer is far less dangerous than things like colon cancer that may (or may not) be linked to the life trogolodytic some people indulge in.

I do use sunscreen when out on my boat. I’m dark complexioned too, but in Florida, on the water and in mid summer you might as well be standing in front of a linear particle accelerator with your pockets full of Radium with all the radiation you get. Only mad dogs, Englishmen and tourists from New Jersey go out in the noonday sun.

Reply to  Glenn Geist
9 years ago

Sunscreen won’t prevent the creation of Vitamin D, and Vitamin D comes in a bottle if one is deficient.

As for studies, the tobacco industry has studies, too. As does the asbestos industry.

Some sun exposure is necessary for good health. Living in a cave isn’t an answer…and yet many do. As with anything, moderation and balance are necessary. Humans moved indoors only recently on evolutionary time scales, and for all we know, that move indoors exacerbated our vulnerability to sun exposure. But our global chemical experiments, in which we have depleted the ozone layer and damaged the filter that protected us, have also created harmful increases in the amount of exposure per unit of time.

I’m from Joisey…you from Joisey??? 🙂

Reply to  Jim Moore
9 years ago

Ha! I’m from Missouri so you’ll have to show me 🙂

Reply to  Glenn Geist
9 years ago

Well said and certainly true Glenn. One of the reasons I made sure to buy a good bimini top for my Boston Whaler. I was always on the water.

jess
Reply to  Professor Mike
9 years ago

I read this way too quickly and was wondering, why in the hell is he buying bikini tops for his boat that kinky bastard.

Reply to  jess
9 years ago

LOL! That’s what happened when you read too fast 🙂

jess
Reply to  Professor Mike
9 years ago

I’m blaming all the weed I did yesterday at the AIDS walk in the city for the red dry eyes. I can’t even put my contacts in they are so bad, have to wear the nerd glasses today. I think I may still be buzzing just from the contact high at an after party we went to in the Castro.

Reply to  jess
9 years ago

It’s pretty simple, really. There are only certain beaches where a boat can go topless without getting arrested. Those are my favorite beaches.

jess
Reply to  Jim Moore
9 years ago

Me too. I know all the good nudist beaches here in our area and we go out often. I don’t like tan lines at all.

Reply to  jess
9 years ago

Jess, I knew I liked you! 🙂

9 years ago

I’ve had a skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, removed from my nose. on a scale of 1 to 3, with 1 being basal cell carcinoma (least dangerous) and melanoma being 3 and most dangerous, squamous cell carcinoma falls in the middle. Serious, but something that can be fully corrected without chemicals or radiation.

After years as a farmer, someone who cut 10 cords of firewood a year, lots of beach and boat time and other exposures, and as someone who grew up when baby oil was used to escalate the “tanning process,” I’m confident that any steps one can take to reduce the more harmful effects of sun exposure are worth the trouble and expense.

My cancer removal appears to have been 100% effective, but I was advised to watch for the appearance of others…and I expect they will come. Meanwhile, my brother survived a melanoma…

Sometimes, the efficacy of the prevention may or may not be as crucial a the effort at prevention and the increase in awareness that prevention is needed. Perhaps those who use sunscreen also gravitate toward wearing hats and clothing that covers the skin. The efficacy of clothing and hats is not in doubt.

Meanwhile, I now live at 8300 feet altitude…and sun exposure is considerably greater, because Colorado is both sunny and because there are considerably fewer air molecules to disrupt the photons pummeling me when outside.

Consumer Reports does a great job of evaluating the performance of sunscreens, and they recommend using them. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/sunscreens/buying-guide.htm
Who am I to argue?

P.S. I believe that tanning beds should be outlawed. I get the desire to be tan, but enabling companies to sell tanning beds is, in my opinion, similar to enabling auto makers to continue selling faulty cars that cause accidents. When a product is known to cause harm, and when that product has no demonstrable offsetting benefit (other than a cosmetic change), it’s time for that product to be removed from the market.

Reply to  Jim Moore
9 years ago

I agree that tanning beds should be outlawed, then again why would someone use them to begin with? I guess it’s like smoking. Millions still do and yet don’t seem to care what it does to them. I cared and quit cold about 7 years ago. Best thing I ever did.

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