Summer is almost in full swing here in Gallatin and Hendersonville, which means more time outdoors enjoying Tennessee’s beautiful sunshine. Whether you’re boating at Old Hickory Lake, hiking the trails at Triple Creek Park, enjoying a family picnic at Lock 4 Park, or browsing the Gallatin Farmers Market, our communities offer endless opportunities for outdoor enjoyment.
With all this time in the sun, we’ve been taught to reach for sunscreen to protect our skin. It’s a ritual many of us follow faithfully before heading to Sanders Ferry Park or taking the kids to swim at the Gallatin Civic Center pool. But here’s a puzzling fact: despite the dramatic increase in sunscreen use over the past few decades, skin cancer rates have continued to rise.
This paradox suggests we may need to reconsider our conventional understanding of sun protection and take a more nuanced approach. At Life Charge Chiropractic, we believe in taking a holistic approach to health – and that includes how we protect our skin while enjoying all the outdoor activities our beautiful Tennessee communities have to offer.
The Chemical Concern: What’s Really in Your Sunscreen?
Recent studies have raised significant concerns about certain chemical ingredients commonly found in conventional sunscreens. These concerns fall into several categories:
Hormone Disruption & Absorption
Many chemical UV filters can penetrate through the skin into the body. A 2020 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that common ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octocrylene are absorbed into the bloodstream at concentrations higher than the FDA’s threshold for safety testing. The CDC has detected oxybenzone in the urine of 97% of Americans tested, showing how widespread exposure has become.
Of particular concern is oxybenzone’s potential as an endocrine (hormone) disruptor. Laboratory and animal studies have linked it to effects on estrogen and thyroid hormones. While definitive human evidence is still developing, health agencies are increasingly monitoring these chemicals.
Contamination & Stability Issues
In 2021, independent pharmaceutical testing lab Valisure detected benzene, a known carcinogen, in 78 sunscreen and after-sun products, primarily in spray formulations. Benzene is not an intentional ingredient but rather a contaminant that can form during manufacturing.
The Mineral Alternative: Physical Barriers
If you’re concerned about chemical sunscreens, mineral-based options offer effective protection without the potential hormone-disrupting effects. These sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically block and scatter UV rays before they penetrate your skin.
Benefits of mineral sunscreens include:
- Immediate protection upon application (no need to wait 15-30 minutes)
- Less likely to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions
- Generally safer for marine ecosystems
- More stable in sunlight than many chemical alternatives
Dermatology reviews have found virtually no reported cases of allergic contact dermatitis from zinc or titanium oxide sunscreens, making them the preferred option for people with sensitive skin or sunscreen allergies.
Nanoparticle Considerations
Many modern mineral sunscreens use nanoparticle forms of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to reduce the white cast on skin. Some concerns have been raised about these tiny particles, but most research is reassuring.
Multiple regulatory reviews by the EU and Australia have concluded that these nanoparticles remain confined to the outer dead layer of skin and do not reach living tissues or the bloodstream. Manufacturers also coat mineral particles to prevent the generation of reactive oxygen species when exposed to sunlight.
While mineral sunscreens are not perfect, they currently represent a safer alternative for both human health and environmental protection.
The Vitamin D Dilemma
While protecting your skin is important, completely blocking the sun has its own health consequences. Your body produces vitamin D when exposed to UVB rays, and this crucial nutrient plays a vital role in:
- Immune system function
- Bone health and calcium absorption
- Mood regulation and mental health
- Muscle function
- Reducing inflammation
Research increasingly shows connections between vitamin D deficiency and various health conditions. A 2020 review in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to infections, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders.
Vitamin D, Immunity, and Cancer Prevention
What many people don’t realize is just how crucial vitamin D is for proper immune function. Your immune cells (T cells, B cells, and antigen-presenting cells) all contain vitamin D receptors, indicating its fundamental role in immune regulation.
When vitamin D binds to these receptors, it helps modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. It enhances the pathogen-fighting potential of white blood cells called macrophages and improves your body’s ability to recognize and eliminate potentially harmful invaders. At the same time, it helps regulate inflammatory responses to prevent excessive inflammation.
Perhaps most intriguingly, research has established connections between vitamin D status and cancer. Population studies have shown that people living in regions with less UVB radiation (and consequently lower vitamin D levels) have higher rates of certain cancers. Laboratory studies have revealed several mechanisms through which vitamin D may protect against cancer:
- It helps regulate cell growth and division, potentially preventing the uncontrolled growth characteristic of cancer
- It supports apoptosis (programmed cell death), which helps eliminate damaged cells before they become cancerous
- It inhibits angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors)
- It reduces inflammation, which is associated with cancer development
While more research is needed, these findings suggest that moderate sun exposure may play a role in cancer prevention through vitamin D production. This presents an interesting counterpoint to the conventional focus on sun avoidance for skin cancer prevention.
The Overreliance Problem
There’s also a concerning phenomenon researchers call “risk compensation” – people who apply high-SPF sunscreen often feel invincible and stay out in the sun much longer than they otherwise would. Studies have shown that sun-seeking individuals allowed themselves significantly more UV exposure when wearing sunscreen.
This behavior, combined with other factors like improper application and inadequate UVA protection in some products, might help explain why skin cancer rates have continued to rise despite increased sunscreen use.
Finding the Right Balance: A Practical Approach
Rather than avoiding the sun completely or relying solely on sunscreen, consider a more nuanced approach:
- Strategic sun exposure: Aim for 10-15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure a few times per week, preferably on larger body parts like legs and arms.
- Time it right: UVB rays (needed for vitamin D production) are strongest midday, but this is also when burn risk is highest. Early morning or late afternoon sun offers safer exposure.
- Consider your skin tone: Darker skin tones require more sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D as lighter skin tones, but also have more natural protection against UV damage.
- Choose minerals for extended protection: When you need longer protection, opt for mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
- Apply properly: Most people use only 25-50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen, which significantly reduces its effectiveness. Use approximately one ounce (a shot glass full) for full-body coverage and reapply every two hours.
- Look beyond SPF: A high SPF number primarily indicates UVB protection but may not block UVA rays proportionally unless it’s truly broad-spectrum. Some U.S. sunscreens labeled “broad spectrum” don’t meet the stricter EU standards for UVA protection.
- Cover up: Use UPF clothing, hats, and shade as physical barriers that don’t involve any chemicals.
- Consider regulatory differences: Be aware that sunscreen regulations vary worldwide. The EU has approved more advanced UV filters than the U.S., and has stricter rules on potentially endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
The Bottom Line
Sun protection isn’t a black-and-white issue. At Life Charge Chiropractic, we believe in helping our patients make informed decisions about all aspects of their health, including how they interact with sunlight.
Here are our key takeaways:
- Despite increased sunscreen use over recent decades, skin cancer rates continue to rise, suggesting we need to reconsider our conventional approach to sun protection.
- Chemical sunscreens offer effective UV protection but raise concerns about hormone disruption, skin absorption, and environmental impact that warrant further investigation.
- Mineral sunscreens provide an alternative with fewer known health concerns, though they’re not perfect.
- Some sun exposure is beneficial and necessary for vitamin D production and overall health.
- No single approach works for everyone – consider your skin type, activities, and values when developing your sun protection strategy.
- A comprehensive approach combining moderate sun exposure, thoughtful sunscreen selection, and physical protection (clothing, hats, shade) offers the best balance for most people.
Remember that your skin—your body’s largest organ—is a reflection of your overall health. Just as proper spinal alignment supports your nervous system function, a balanced approach to sun exposure supports your body’s natural processes while minimizing potential harm.
If you have questions about optimizing your health this summer and beyond, we’re here to help. Our holistic approach to wellness extends beyond adjustments to encompass all aspects of living your most vibrant, healthy life.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider about your specific health needs, including sun protection strategies. If you have concerns about a particular sunscreen product, discuss alternatives with your dermatologist or healthcare provider.
References:
- Valisure LLC. (2021). Valisure Detects Benzene in Sunscreen. Valisure.
- Matta, M.K., et al. (2020). Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 323(3), 256-267.
- Calafat, A.M., et al. (2008). Concentrations of the Sunscreen Agent Benzophenone-3 in Residents of the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004. Environmental Health Perspectives, 116(7), 893-897.
- Downs, C.A., et al. (2016). Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 70(2), 265-288.
- Schneider, S.L., & Lim, H.W. (2019). Review of environmental effects of oxybenzone and other sunscreen active ingredients. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 80(1), 266-271.
- FDA. (2019). FDA advances new proposed regulation to make sure that sunscreens are safe and effective. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Pilz, S., et al. (2020). Vitamin D Status and Risk of Infections: Position Statement. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
- Autier, P., et al. (2011). Quantity of sunscreen used by European students. British Journal of Dermatology, 144(2), 288-291.
- Diffey, B.L. (2001). When should sunscreen be reapplied? Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 45(6), 882-885.
- Dinardo, J.C., & Downs, C.A. (2019). Can oxybenzone cause Hirschsprung’s disease? Reproductive Toxicology, 86, 98-100.
- Necasová, A., et al. (2022). Decomposition of Octocrylene in Cosmetic Products Generates Benzophenone: Toxicological Assessment by a Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryo-Larval Model. Chemical Research in Toxicology, 35(4), 595-604.
