As summer approaches and the sun starts making its daily appearance, it is completely natural for most of us to slather on the sunscreen before heading out for the day. Skin cancer is a hot topic, and we are constantly bombarded with warnings of how sun exposure is bad for our health. But is the sun really that bad for us? And is sunscreen actually safe to use?

Many health care professionals think the sun is beneficial, while sunscreen is detrimental to our health. Sunscreens contain chemicals (PABA, dioxybenzone, homosalate, padimate O, salicylates, etc.) that absorb UV light. Unfortunately, many of these chemicals are also absorbed directly into the skin and are actually carcinogenic due to free radical production in the body. Furthermore, many of these chemicals bind to estrogen receptors, which may cause problems with menstruation, menopause, and fertility. Sunscreen also blocks our production of vitamin D, leaving us more susceptible to chronic diseases, such as cancer. Recently, it has been determined that direct sun exposure for as little as 10 minutes daily is beneficial to our health, including lessening cancer risks and symptoms of depression.

The next logical question arises: what can we do to protect ourselves from skin cancer due to excessive sun exposure while receiving the benefits of the sun?

• At the start of the season, spend a maximum of 10 minutes daily in direct sunlight and increase the duration slowly.
• Never lie out in the sun for tanning purposes.
• Never allow yourself to burn.
• If you must wear sunscreen, choose brands with physical sunscreen agents, such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These deflect the rays of the sun and are not absorbed into the skin. Allow yourself 10 minutes of direct sunlight before applying sunscreen.
• Cover up: wear long sleeves (in breathable fabrics) and hats. Most UV rays will slightly penetrate through cotton, allowing you the benefits of sun without the burn.
• Limit sun exposure between the hours of 10 am – 4 pm when the sun is strong.
• Stay indoors between the hours of 11 am – 1 pm when the sun is strongest.
• Eat foods high in antioxidants, such as organic berries, spirulina, and blue-green algae to prevent free radical damage.
• Increase consumption/supplementation of omega 3 essential fatty acids.

Lastly, here are some tips to help soothe your skin and increase healing if you have stayed out in the sun too long and burned:

• Aloe vera: peel off the top layer of leaves and apply directly to the skin. Can be refrigerated beforehand to increase the cooling effect. Good for relieving pain and inflammation.
• Lemon water compress: squeeze 3 lemons into 2 cups of cold water and sponge onto skin.
• Baking soda bath: ½ cup baking soda dissolved into lukewarm water.
• Calendula cream: applied topically as needed to reduce pain and inflammation and promote healing.
• Bromelain: supplemented between meals to decrease inflammation.
• Homeopathy: cantharis to reduce the sting of burns.