RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – Summer means more time outdoors in the sun, but a new social media trend has skin experts concerned about a myth about sunscreen.
An anti-sunscreen trend has become popular on social media sites, particularly TikTok, which urges users to stop using sunscreen, claiming that it contains carcinogenic chemicals and damages the skin.
Other common misconceptions include that sunscreen is an endocrine disruptor and can affect hormones in the body, that sunscreen can get into the bloodstream, and that sunscreen will darken your skin.
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Licia Thornburg says none of these myths are true.
“The FDA did a huge study of this with older formulations, and even those were in high concentrations so less than 1 percent got into the bloodstream, and the newer formulations are designed not to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin,” Thornburg said.
Thornburg said claims that sunscreens cause skin darkening are likely due to rare allergies to the product, caused by users being out in the sun for long periods of time. She stressed that if in doubt, people should consult a dermatologist.
“We went to school to protect you. We’re here to educate you on this and protect you and prevent skin cancer. If you have any questions, call a board-certified dermatologist and we’ll help you. We want to keep you from getting skin cancer. So don’t think these things are going to hurt you. They’ve been studied,” Thornburg said.
It’s a good idea to apply sunscreen in the morning and reapply throughout the day, especially if you’re going to be in the sun, limit your time outdoors or in strong sunlight, and wear a protective shirt, hat, and sunglasses.
If you have any questions or concerns, please consult a dermatologist.
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