Jonathan Evatt Online

Dispelling Sun Related Myth-conceptions

There are a number of commonly accepted myths regarding the sun, the human body, and sunblocks that I would like to dispel.

The first is the idea that commercially available sunblocks/sunscreens actually protect your skin and body from skin cancer. Extensive research into this topic (by myself and many other health researchers I am aware of) indicates there is no scientific evidence that sunscreen lotions provide any protection from skin damage and skin cancer. Since sun screens came into extensive use the rates of skin cancer have gone up exponentially. No decrease has been seen. There is research which indicates that the use of typical sunscreens may actually increase the likelihood of skin damage/cancer. I see three major potential reasons for this.

1) Many of the chemicals in typical sunscreens are in fact toxic, and some are known carcinogens (agents that promote cancer cell development). Application of these chemicals to your skin is likely to be damaging and harmful. Many common active ingredients in sunscreens are known to act as a hormone disruptor and to have estrogen mimicking properties¹.

2) Use of sunscreens typically results in people staying in the sun more than they would normally. It can also allow people to be in the sun at times of the day when exposure is at the highest. These sunscreens may extend how long it takes for your skin to "burn" yet there is much more happening than just sun burn when you are over exposed to the sun. These other effects of the sun will typically continue to occur even though you don't show symptoms of burning (going red). Over exposure to the sun can cause DNA damage and other forms of cellular degeneration and damage. I intuitively hypothesise that these damaging effects of over exposure to the sun are increased by the application of commonly available skin lotions, creams, aftershaves, perfumes, and so forth. Also the eating of unnatural chemicals, unhealthy fats/oils, and chemically processed foods results in a greater degree of reactive chemicals making their way into the skin for elimination. I sense that the presence of these chemicals and "bad" fats in the skin also result in the sun having a greater level of damaging effects.

Another myth I would like to dispel is the idea that the sun is innately dangerous and to be avoided. Over exposure to the sun can be detrimental to ones health. However, exposure to the sun is not innately dangerous. In fat it is vital for life, vitality, and health. It is best to be exposed to the sun without toxic food oils in your body, and without toxic skin products on your skin (including most sun lotions).

Natural sun protection lotion / oil

You can make your own highly effective sun protection oil. An oil such as this will help your skin to deal with the effects of exposure to the sun, will help you to tan more quickly, and assist your skin to remain youthful. Click here for the recipe and further information.

References

¹ Reference: http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/spring03sun.html