A recent study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that chemicals in sunscreen are absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin. According to this study, high levels of several chemicals were found in participants’ blood after one day of sunscreen use. This has led to questions about how safe sunscreen really is.
Jennifer A. Stein, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone, speaks with Men’s Health to let people know there is no reason to panic. Sunscreen is still an important tool to protect yourself from skin cancers like melanoma.
“I don’t think there’s any great evidence right now to say these are dangerous ingredients,” Dr. Stein explains. “Although this study indicates sunscreen is absorbed into your system, there’s no evidence that it’s toxic or unsafe.”
Dr. Stein asserts that this study reveals the need for further research determining the safety of these chemicals. In the meantime, Dr. Stein suggests people continue to wear sunscreen, and if they are concerned, look for SPF with zinc and titanium. In addition to sunscreen, she recommends wearing a hat, long sleeves, and using an umbrella to protect your skin from the sun.
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