Sun light or sunscreen? The decision could affect your health
June marks the beginning of summer in the Northern hemisphere and many people will be outside in the sun.
Which one of the above pictures are you?
Do you use sunscreen or avoid it like I do? From a 2022 survey, most Americans don’t use sunscreen or sunblock regularly. The survey reveals that 13% of people say they use sunscreen on their body most or all of the time, 53% say they use it sometimes, and 34% rarely or never put it on. Men are more likely to rarely or never use sunscreen than women, with 39% of men compared to 28% of women.
In 2023, the global sun screen market was $12.3 billion whereas $4.7 billion of that was spent in North America with a strong 5% compounded annual growth rate. Unfortunately, although global use of sunscreen is continuously on the rise, so is the prevalence of malignant melanoma − a cancer type which is mainly caused by sun exposure.
Just like anything, we must consider risk vs benefit in making the decision to use or not use sunscreen but also consider other options that may reduce risks but still provide benefit.
Sunlight Provides an Impressive List of Benefits
The benefits of sunlight have been well documented for decades if not centuries. Some of the benefits of sunlight exposure include better sleep, reduced inflammation, better blood pressure, better mood.
Sunlight helps fights depression, provides for stronger bones, prevents cancer, boosts our immune system, provides optimal Vitamin D and other hormones, reduces stress, increases energy, provides anti-microbial defense against pathogens, improves health of the skin and can even help you live longer.
Sunlight has also shown to stimulate nitric oxide release and activate our own mitochondria.
That is a pretty impressive list of benefits that I believe everyone would sign up for.
Risks of Sunlight
The risks of sunlight are from overexposure that can cause skin damage and, in some cases, lead to increased risk of dermal cancers.
Cumulative sun exposure causes mainly basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer, while episodes of severe sunburns can raise the risk of developing melanoma.
The lists of benefits are more numerous that the potential risks. However, sunlight exposure has been demonized over the past few decades and we are trained by the media and companies that sell sunscreen that we should always use sunscreen when going outside.
Sunscreens Contain Chemical Ultraviolet Filters
Sunscreens contain chemical ultraviolet filters that act to prevent penetration of UV light into the skin. Two kinds of UV filters are currently being used in sunscreens: organic (chemical) filters such as octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), benzophenone-3 (BP-3) or octocrylene, which absorb light in the UV range, and inorganic (physical) filters, zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2), which scatter and reflect UV rays.
Most sunscreens are usually comprised of more than one of these UV filters: organic, inorganic or a mixture of both types, which is supposed to give broad-spectrum of protection.
These chemicals accumulate in the body when used routinely. In fact, these chemicals are found in breast milk of nursing mothers. They have also been found in the urine of pregnant women and are correlated with overall weight and head circumference of the baby.
This raises concerns about potential prenatal exposure and developmental toxicity of UV filters.
Many of these chemicals also destroy the skin microbiome. We all know the importance of the microbiome. There are ammonia oxidizing bacteria that live on our skin. These bacteria oxidize ammonia secreted when we sweat and produce nitric oxide gas on our skin.
This is one of the reasons it is important to sweat and maintain a healthy skin microbiome. Anything that destroys our natural microbiome will cause detrimental health consequences.
Prevalence of Skin Cancer Has Risen with Increased Sunscreen Use
The data clearly show that although sunscreen use has increased since the 1930s the incidence and prevalence of skin cancer is on the rise.
Does this sound similar to the increased adoption of yearly breast mammograms and the increased incidence of breast cancer? Could the recommendations and guidelines themselves be contributed to the increased risks of cancer?
These are very important considerations and questions you must consider.
Personally, I have never used sunscreen and do not use it on my kids and family. We enjoy the sunlight exposure and enjoy the benefits it provides. However, we try not to overdo it and usually cover up with clothing or a hat cap before we get burned.
If your body and skin is healthy, it can actually heal from a burn. In fact, many people today are getting CO2 laser skin treatments, microderm abrasion, microneedling, etc. Ablative lasers, such as a CO2 laser, work by causing acute trauma to the skin. It removes the thin outer layer of skin (epidermis) and heats the underlying skin (dermis).
This stimulates the growth of new collagen fibers. As the epidermis heals and regrows, the treated skin appears clearer, smoother and tighter.
These treatments are expensive and cause burns. Why not just get some sunlight. This is nature’s natural way of improving skin health. However, if the person getting burned from sunlight or from ablative lasers is not healthy, they will not heal properly and it may cause more damage than any benefit it may provide.
The skin is an outward reflection of our internal health. If we are not healthy, our skin will show it and will suffer increased damage from any acute trauma.
Sunscreens Prevent the Formation of Vitamin D and Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide is required for our body to respond and heal from any trauma.
Nitric oxide mobilizes stem cells allowing for the replacement of damaged cells. Nitric oxide improves collagen deposition improving hydration of the skin making fine lines and wrinkles disappear. Nitric oxide released from the sun or from the skin microbiome protects us from fungal infections and many dermatological issues.
Based on all the data, I am convinced that the risks of sunscreens are not worth it. They are contributing to the exposure of some really nasty toxins and they are preventing the formation of many nutrients such as vitamin D and nitric oxide.
As I have said for many years, chronic disease is caused by exposure to toxins and/or nutrient deficiency. Sunscreens check both boxes. So, this summer, enjoy the sunlight but cover up after an hour or so with clothing and not toxic chemicals.
You can also protect your skin with our topical nitric oxide serum at www.n1o1.com. Use coupon code NSB10 for a discount.
—
Dr. Nathan S. Bryan is a biochemist and physiologist that has more than 20 years of basic science and clinical research. His many seminal discoveries have resulted in dozens of issued U.S. and International patents. He is an international expert in nitric oxide and molecular medicine. Dr. Bryan is an innovator and successful entrepreneur who product technology is responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue worldwide. This content is not intended to replace medical advice from a physician.
More information:
www.drnathansbryan.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtftGy8e0r9DO8ActcyGi4w
www.N1O1.com
www.bryantherapeutics.com