The Truth About Sunscreens

by Henri Roca, MD, Clinical Functional Medicine Specialist

The sun can energize us. Its daily and seasonal cycles are the foundations of our circadian rhythms. Sunlight absorbed through our skin drives our production of the master hormone Vitamin D. And sunlight creates oxidative stress and increases DNA damage in the skin (squamous cell cancer and melanoma).

The rays of the sun produce both UVA and UVB bands of radiation. UVB causes painful sunburn. UVA rays penetrate more deeply in the skin causing skin damage, immune system dysfunction, and skin cancer. For this reason it is important to choose sunscreens that protect against both kinds of rays. The screening agent also needs to be nontoxic.

The “SPF” rating, which stands for Sun Protection Factor, indicates the product’s ability to protect you from UVB radiation only.  When spending time in the sun, use a SPF factor of at least 30. An SPF 30 allows only 3% of UVB rays to hit your skin. The rating of 30 means that you will take 30 times longer to burn when compared to using no sun protection.  It does not necessarily mean that it will protect you from UVA unless the product specifically states that it is broad spectrum and protects from both UVA and UVB. Some products may have a PA+ value noted to indicate how the product will protect your from UVA rays. When choosing a product for UVA protection, look for products that have PA++++. 

It is most effective to apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before sun exposure, after being in the water, and certainly after a couple of hours of exposure. 

Testing of sunscreens with SPFs that ranged from 55 to 100 indicated that they only provided 1 to 2% more protection than the ones rated SPF 30. In other words maximum effectiveness was found in SPF30/PA++++ labeled sunscreens.

The mineral based sunscreens like zinc and titanium are often the safest as they are physical blocks. However they may leave a cloudy hue on the skin. 

Remember that when using a sun block you are blocking the body’s ability to make vitamin D so make sure to spend at least 10 to 15 minutes several times a week in the sun before applying sunscreen. Even with this you should have your vitamin D levels checked and you may still need supplementation.

Young infants do not develop melanin so they should be kept out of direct sunlight until after 6 months of age. Even then, young children are more susceptible to sun damage, so take extra caution and expose as little skin as possible to direct sun.

Avoid midday sun as much as possible. Artificial sunlight like sunlamps and tanning beds are particularly dangerous and dramatically increase the risk of melanoma.

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