Experts warn of TikTok’s sunscreen trend as skin cancer searches rise | Liverpool Echo

As the British summer and prime tanning conditions approach, industry insiders are sending out a warning about a trend gaining popularity on TikTok: the anti-sunscreen campaign.

The trend has grown in recent weeks on social media platforms, proposing the idea of ​​ditching sunscreen altogether. Uninformed content creators claim that sunscreen contains chemicals linked to cancer or that it can “damage” your skin.

Influencers direct their videos to a mass audience, discouraging them from using sunscreen. One creator, whose video has racked up more than 1.2 million views, eagerly claimed: “I don’t wear sunscreen and I never will.

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“We blame the sun for cancer when we should be blaming our diets. Sunscreen and a bad diet will make you sick.”

Glam’s latest data sheds worrying light on the impact of the trend, as Google searches for ‘Can sunscreen cause cancer’ have seen a 160% increase in the past month. Even more alarmingly, searches for “free skin cancer screening near me” and “how do I know if I have skin cancer” increased by 400% and 250% respectively, suggesting the trend may already be causing concern among many, Wales reports Online.

So what does an expert have to say about this TikTok trend?

Speaking to Glam, Dr. Mariano Busso, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist in Beverly Hills, said, “Seeking health advice from content creators can be dangerous. Using sunscreen has been scientifically proven to protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light, including both UVB and UVA rays, if you don’t use sunscreen, you greatly increase your chances of sun cancer.

In addition, he pointed out that neglecting sun protection accelerates the aging of the skin, making it look older. Dr. Mariano clarified that sunscreen does not cause cancer.

Cancer Research UK states that overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can damage skin cells and lead to skin cancer. In the UK, almost 9 out of 10 cases of melanoma skin cancer could be prevented by practicing safe sun habits and avoiding sunbeds.

Skin cancer can affect anyone. However, some people may be at greater risk, especially those who burn more easily.

Additional protection to minimize health risks:

Regardless of your location, whether at home or on vacation, it’s essential to protect yourself from the sun. The sun’s strength is often enough to cause injury in the UK between mid-March and mid-October, even on cold or cloudy days.

1. Spend time in the shade. This is particularly important between 11am and 3pm in the UK
2. Cover up with clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection.
3. Apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4 or 5 stars. Use it liberally, reapply regularly and use with shade and clothing.

Even on cloudy, windy or cooler days, sunburn is still a possibility. Over 90% of UV rays can penetrate through clouds, so it’s important to seek shade, cover up and apply sunscreen.

Tips for using sunscreen:

Cancer Research UK has issued some important advice on using sunscreen, warning that ignoring these recommendations could lead to serious health problems in the future:

• Choose a lotion, pump spray, or roll-on product, not an aerosol. Aerosol sunscreens can be patchy and do not provide a thick enough layer of protection.
• Make sure you put on enough – people often put on far less sunscreen than they should. Apply sunscreen evenly and thickly.
• Reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day, including “once-a-day” and “water-resistant” products. Sunscreen can rub off, sweat or wash off – even though it’s supposed to be waterproof. It is especially important to put on more after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
• Reapplying also helps you cover more skin and not miss any areas.
• Use sunscreen even if you have SPF in your moisturizer or makeup, because those products don’t provide a thick enough layer of protection on their own. And they are usually not reapplied.
• Check the expiry date on the sunscreen before using it. Look for a symbol with an open cap, the letter M and a number. This shows how many months the sunscreen will last once opened.

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