Do Not be Gullible and Believe Everything the Sunscreen Label Says; Know the Truth

Everything you hear about sunscreen is not true. There is more to sunscreens, protection from damaging sun rays and vitamin D that you might not know.

We rely greatly on the modern cosmetics, including sunscreen lotions and use them without giving a second thought. We are not even aware of how safe they are and how dangerous they can be for our skin.

Ask people about sunscreen or sun-protection and you will get an earful of disinformation. Here we debunk some of the most popular myths associated with sunscreen.

# Myth 1: Sunscreen is your defence against sun-related skin conditions.
Fact: Sunscreen is your first line of defence against sun-triggered skin conditions, including skin cancer but doesn’t provide complete protection. According to Canada Safety Council, up to 70 per cent of skin cancer cases can be prevented by avoiding skin damage from UV rays. Avoidance along with sun blocks and sunscreens keeps medical complications at bay. Health experts recommend staying indoors during the peak hours- 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., as sunscreens are not 100 per cent effective. Even when you are wearing sunscreen, try to stay in the shade as much as possible.

# Myth 2: Manufacturer labels don’t lie.
Fact: You will see taglines such as ‘all-day protection’ and ‘complete protection’ on sunscreens, which are only to lull buyers into a false sense of protection. The cosmetic companies aren't legally required to prove the claims on their taglines but do it to back up their assertions. In reality, you need to apply sunscreen every two-three hours to shield against sun damage.

# Myth 3: More the SPF number, more the protection.
Fact: Many fall for the numbers game, thinking that SPF 30 gives twice the protection of SPF 15. The SPF figure doesn't mean much. People go on to use high SPF sunscreen, thinking that it will give them maximum protection. SPF 15 filters out 93 per cent of UVB rays, SPF 30 protects against 97 percent, SPF 50 filters 98 per cent and SPF 100 offers 99 per cent protection, but only when you apply enough of it and correctly.

 
# Myth 4: You have to skip sunscreen to soak up vitamin D.
Fact: Soaking up vitamin D from sunlight is no excuse for skipping block. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you need only 10 minutes of direct sun (sans sunscreen) several times a week to get to fulfil the requirement of vitamin D. But, you can also obtain the nutrient from through your diet (milk, fortified orange juice, and canned salmon are all good sources) or a supplement (under your physician's supervision).

# Myth 5: All the sunscreens and sun blocks are chemical-free.
Fact: Many of the sunscreens labelled as chemical-free are loaded with chemicals. Before buying, you should always go through the ingredients of any sunscreen before using it.

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