In recent years, social media has given rise to many health and wellness trends. Some are very beneficial and some are very dangerous for your health and have many side effects. One of these is the anti-sunscreen movement. Supporters of this trend say that sunscreen damages your skin and it is unnecessary for your skin. It is a scam. Are these arguments true? Let's have a look at these arguments.
Importance of sunscreen
Sunscreen is not just a cosmetic product. It is the best way to protect your skin. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause the following problems:
- These rays have many side effects on the skin such as sunburn.
- Because of this, people become older faster, and they get dark spots.
- It causes skin cancer which is one of the most common types of cancer in the world.
Dermatologists and other health experts advise strictly to use sunscreen daily having SPF 30 or more. Ultraviolet rays can cross the skin even in cloudy season and can cause long-term side effects.
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What are the arguments of anti-sunscreen movement?
People who support and promote the anti-sunscreen movement say:
- Sunscreen is full of harmful chemicals.
- They believe that ingredients present in sunscreen are dangerous for health.
- Sun is natural so that’s why it cannot harm us. They say people have been living under the sun for thousands of years without any sunscreen.
- Lack of vitamin D in our body is due to sunscreen. They believe that reduction in sunlight reduces the natural production of vitamin D.
At first look, these arguments can be acceptable but many of these are based on half-truth and false information.
Truths
Harmful chemicals? Nowadays sunscreens are tested for safety before use. Besides zinc oxide and titanium dioxide-based sunscreens, mineral-based sunscreens are also available that are safe and effective.
Sun is natural but skin cancer is also natural. Exposure to sun for long term without any protection can cause skin cancer and other skin diseases.
Vitamin D can be made in many other ways. Exposure to sun for some minutes is enough for the production of vitamin D, so it is not compulsory to sit under the sun for hours because it will cause sunburn. Other options for vitamin D are supplements and vegetables, fruits containing vitamin D.
Side effects of not using sunscreen are uncountable and harmful.
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Role of social media in spreading false information
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are full of wellness influencers. Many of these are not medically trained but thousands of people watch them. The problem is that false information spreads faster than truth. When a trendy video says “do not use sunscreen” people follow this without checking any reliable sources.
How to avoid false information?
- Check sources and ensure if this advice is given by any dermatologist or just another influencer.
- Check science-based facts. Organisations like the American Academy of Dermatology and World Health Organisation give proper and science-based guidelines.
- If anything is very simple and looks very dramatic then usually it’s fake.
Final thoughts
Anti-sunscreen movement looks like a good wellness trend but in reality, it is spreading false and harmful information. Sunscreen is not your enemy. It is a weapon against skin cancer and other skin diseases.
Your skin is very important. Do not follow such type of false trends. Next time when you go outside, use sunscreen because it is a must for your skin care.
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