The Sunscreen Paradox – Does Sunscreen Mean Permission To Tan?

You’d think the sunscreen message was getting through. We’re more aware than ever of the damage UV light can do to our skin. There are more brands of lovely-to-use sunscreen than ever before. Yet the incidence of skin cancer is rising relentlessly. What’s going on? TTG asked two consultant dermatologists for their perspective.

This is the sunscreen paradox

‘Unfortunately, we are in the midst of a skin cancer pandemic,’ says consultant dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips, ‘with rising rates of the three most common forms of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma) in the UK. In fair-skinned populations, these skin cancers are directly linked to exposure to harmful UV radiation from the sun. Despite improvements in sunscreen technology, and greater awareness of the risks associated with outdoor and indoor tanning, skin cancer remains on the rise.’

What’s driving this rise in skin cancers?  

‘UV rays are carcinogenic, not just for the skin but for the whole body,’ says consultant dermatologist Dr Penelope Tympanidis. ‘The skin is just the external armour of the body, which gets the main damage from all the external factors, like pollution and chemicals as well as UV light. From the moment that your skin becomes darker after being out in the sun, there is not just cell damage but DNA damage. This can be repaired up to a point – but once it reaches a point where your body’s mechanisms can’t repair it, this can lead to mutations,  which can lead to skin cancer.’

As Dr Phillips points out, there are a number of factors driving up skin cancer rates. ‘Multiple studies have shown that most people do not apply enough sunscreen during sun exposure, which means they are only receiving a fraction of the SPF protection on the label. They don’t reapply sunscreen, or don’t bother with sunscreen when they’re in the UK. Then there’s disinformation propagated on social media regarding vitamin D and sun exposure.’

On top of this, Dr Phillips flags up the cost of sunscreen, the way we just aren’t in the habit of using UV-protective clothing, sunbed use, and sunburn episodes in younger years.

Does sunscreen give us a false sense of security?

In fact, last year, research from McGill University in Montreal, Canada into the sunscreen paradox suggested that people saw sunscreen as ‘a permission-slip to tan’  ‘People think they are protected from skin cancer because they are using a product marketed to prevent a condition,’ says Dr. Ivan Litvinov, an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine and Chair of the Dermatology Division at McGill University and co­ author of the study.

‘That’s exactly right!’ says Dr Tympanidis. ‘People believe that if they put on sunblock, they can fry themselves in the sun for hours which is not right because tanning itself is cell damage, and causes cell death. You are not immune to this if you apply sunblock. You may even pick up more damage during exposure, because you assume you are protected.’

Dr Phillips isn’t so sure: ‘It is possible that a false sense of security from wearing sunscreen is playing a role in some cases however, it is not the only factor at play. In my clinical experience, the patients who are the most diligent with sunscreen application tend to take a more cautious overall approach, avoiding direct sun exposure by staying in the shade and wearing protective clothing.’

He adds that in a recent survey commissioned by the British Skin Foundation, 51% of Brits have accidentally burned themselves even though 81% claim sun safety precautions are important to them and their families. This is especially alarming considering sunburn is a crucial step in the development of skin cancer.’

What do we still need to learn about the sun? 

‘We need to appreciate that the sun and UV are beneficial,’ says Dr Tympanidis. ‘They’re therapeutic for the inflammation that you see with eczema or psoriasis for example, and for vitamin D production –  but you need to be sensible. You don’t have to lie out in the sun. You can get the benefits if you are in the shade outdoors!’

For our pick of the best sunscreens to keep your skin protected, head to the TTG shop.