On social media, influencers are claiming that sunscreen is bad for your health. Doctors are concerned about the risks associated with this trend.
- On social media, the anti-sunscreen trend is gaining momentum: influencers claim that sunscreen is dangerous for your health.
- Doctors are expressing concern about this trend, which has no scientific basis.
- The manufacture of sunscreen is regulated and it is strongly advised not to try to make sunscreen yourself.
On TikTok and Instagram, hashtags have been spreading for some time: #antisunscreen or #nosunscreen. With these keywords, influencers spread the idea that sunscreens are dangerous for health. In the United States, Shannon Fairweather, an influencer followed by more than 40,000 people, shares this kind of message. On her account, she claims that by applying sunscreen, “you are literally putting chemicals all over your body”This dangerous trend worries health professionals.
@shannonfairweatherr sunscreen is wack ???????? #antisunscreen #nosunscreen #fyp ♬ original sound – Shannon Fairweather
Sunscreen: Health professionals warn of the dangers of these statements without scientific basis
In Canada, the Order of Chemists of Quebec has published a communicated on this subject, Wednesday, June 19.”Influencers are spreading false and misleading information about sunscreen, claiming that its ingredients are harmful to the skin, indicates the text. These claims, which are devoid of scientific basis, could endanger public health.” Experts point out that influencers do not possess “the scientific expertise needed to assess chemicals and their safety”.
Why is it essential to use sunscreen in summer?
Sunscreen products are designed and tested to protect the skin from UV rays, safely.The active ingredients, whether mineral or chemical, act by absorbing, reflecting or scattering UV rays, explains the president of the Order of Chemists of Quebec, Mr. Michel Alsayegh. Scientific research demonstrates the effectiveness and safety of these ingredients when used as directed. It is concerning to see pseudo-experts urging people to forgo sunscreen, thereby increasing the risk of skin cancer and other UV damage.” According to theWorld Health Organizationmore than 1.5 million cases of skin cancer were diagnosed and more than 120,000 associated deaths were reported worldwide in 2020. They are mainly due to UV exposure.
Homemade sunscreen: a very bad idea
Finally, some influencers give ideas for alternatives to sunscreen. Shannon Fairweather, the American influencer, recommends her followers to use coconut oil, “30% as effective as sunscreen” according to her. In the columns of West–FranceMarc Perrusel, dermatologist at the Rennes University Hospital in Ille-et-Vilaine, describes these alternatives as “foolery”. He points out that the manufacture of sun creams is highly regulated and that it is not possible to manufacture products ““natural”.
In 2021, Céline Couteau and Laurence Soiffard, from the University of Nantes, tested 15 recipes for sunscreens to make yourself.Three of the 15 recipes studied did not contain any sunscreen and therefore posed a major risk to users when exposed to the sun.they conclude in Tea Conversation. For the other 12, the sun protection factor was less than 6, the threshold value in Europe to be able to consider that a cosmetic falls into the category of sun protection products.” If the “home made“There may be some good in terms of sun protection, but it is essential to trust the professionals.