A new research by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the US food and drug regulator, followed up on a pilot study published last year. And confirm: six active ingredients found in sunscreen products can be detected in users' blood even after just one application.
However, several experts questioned about the study urge to continue using sunscreen. The damage caused by the sun is already established, while we do not yet have a measure of the impact on health of the chemical compounds present in UV protection products.
The pilot study still left doubts
Last year the FDA released the results of a small pilot study. This study found that regular application of several common sunscreen formulations led to detectable blood concentrations of four chemicals: avobenzone, oxibenzone, octocrylene and ecamsule. At the time the study was criticized for having too small a sample size, as well as excessive levels of product tested.
This follow-up study expanded the sample size, tested a broad assortment of active ingredients, and studied blood absorption following even a single application of sunscreen.
The new research has dispelled all doubts
New research has found that 6 major chemical ingredients active in sunscreen can be present in detectable concentrations in the blood even after just one application. All six chemicals (avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octosalate and octinoxate) were found in concentrations above 0,5 ng / mL.
The 0,5 ng / mL threshold found in the study is not established as intrinsically insecure, but FDA researchers consider it significant, because the risk of cancer below this threshold is less than 1 in 100.000.
In an "ecumenical" and neutral way, the study does not investigate or hypothesize carcinogenic effects of these substances in the blood, but will ensure that companies ask themselves the problem.
Sun creams: are chemical filters bad?
Rob Chilcott, a toxicologist at the University of Hertfordshire, says the study results were expected, as it is known that skin is not a solid barrier and can absorb chemicals even from superficial applications.
“This does not mean that sunscreen products are unsafe to use, but that manufacturers must perform adequate safety testing”, he claims Chilcott, who did not work on this FDA study. “It should be underlined that unless further investigation is carried out, the health risks of using filters and sunscreens are not well defined. And those resulting from excessive sun exposure are potentially more harmful."
In summary, there is definitive evidence that sunscreen chemicals applied to the skin can enter the circulation. We still don't know what their health effects are. Of course, seen individually (and have been observed for some time) these 6 substances do no good, and not just for the environment.
Which is why I continue to use protection without exaggerating. Maybe also supporting myself with protective clothing without resorting to chemicals and in general without abusing sun exposure. It is the logic of minor damage, until new developments.
Do doctors need to keep recommending chemical filters and sunscreen?
This is what is asked an editorial accompanying the study, written by Kanade Shinkai, editor in chief of the journal JAMA Dermatology.
The editorial addresses risk-benefit considerations that physicians should use to evaluate how much to recommend sun protection to patients.
“In making an informed decision,” it is read, “Physicians must determine whether the magnitude of benefit outweighs the risk of potential harm to a specific individual. It is important to underline that this balance can be different. The characteristics of the sunscreen user are affected (e.g., for people with darker skin types and for children) and may depend on the frequency and duration of application (e.g., daily vs intermittent use; starting from childhood or later in life).”
