Harmful Side Effects of Sunscreen - How to Stay Safe

Introduction

Sunscreen is also known as sunblock or sun cream is defined as cream, lotion or gel applied over skin to protect the dermis from the harmful ultraviolet rays of sun.

Depending upon the mode of action it is divided into two categories that is physical sunscreen helps to reflect sun rays and chemical sunscreen that helps to absorb the ultraviolet rays.

We are often advised to bear sunblock when we are going out in the sun. We are very happy to apply these sunscreen over our skin but we are risking our own life. Phenothiazine, sulpha drugs and tetracyclines are used in the preparation of these sunblock that are very harmful for our skin. Major side effects of these sunscreen may include-

Allergic skin reactions

• Various types of chemicals are used to prepare these sunscreens that are note suitable for every type of skin tone. It can cause mild to serious swelling, rashes, redness, itching and irritation on skin which further needs proper medical attention. PABA chemical and fragrances are added to sunblock to raise the shelf life.  This chemical is responsible for causing higher number of skin allergies .

Eye Irritation

• After applying sunscreen when are in contact with direct sunrays we sweat a lot and by means of this sweating sunscreen push into our eyes that causes severe irritation. Sensitivity to light and burning sensation in the eyes are major side effect of applying these sunscreens. Excessive entry of these sunblock to eyes further may lead to serious eye problem like blindness etc.

Worsen Acne

• Acne prone skins are more affected with these sunscreen. It is responsible for causing itchy spots on the skin filled with pus. Sometimes it makes conditions worse by the making pus filled blisters around the hair follicles.

Increase Risk of Breast Cancer

• Hard chemicals present in these sunscreen products increase the risk of breast cancer in women. Chemicals present in sunscreen disturb the estrogenic level which is responsible for causing breast cancer.

Pain in Hairy Areas

• Excessive application of sunscreen also responsible for causing severe pain in hairy areas.

Lifestyle Changes to Stay Safe

• Always wear full sleeved clothes when you go outdoors. Try to wear dark colours rather than light colours because darker colours protects skin easier than light ones. Wear sunglasses to prevent your eyes from harmful rays of sun.
• Use UV repellent detergents to wash your clothes because these detergents coat your clothes with microscopic crystals and these crystals protect body from harmful UV rays.
• Use caps and wide brimmed hats to protect eyes and face from rays when you go outside in burning hot rays.
• Use umbrellas and try to sit in the shades to prevent body from harmful rays, irritation and tanning.
• Apply natural vitamin E and Aloe Vera over your skin to prevent is from harmful sunrays.   

Natural Dietary Supplements to Stay Safe

• Carrots - Carrots are very rich source of beta- carotene and it is also known for good health of eyes. Beta- carotene protects our skin from the action of free radicals that causes skin damage from the sun exposure. It is also beneficial protection for sunburns.
• Citrus fruits - Limes, lemons, oranges and grapefruit are the fruits that are rich in vitamin C. vitamin c along with vitamin E reduce the harmful potential of sunburn.  Fruit are also great source of anti-oxidants that protects kin from the damage of free radicals.
• Strawberries- Strawberries are powerful combination of anti-oxidants and vitamin C that protects our body from sunburn and sun damage. Paste of strawberries applied over skin is used to reduce the inflammation and pain caused by sunburns.
• Green tea- Catechins present in green tea possesses disease preventing properties and used to protect body against sunburn inflammation and damage to skin by harmful ultraviolet rays.
• Almonds- Almonds are power house of vitamin E which helps to protect and repair our skin from harmful sunlight. Qucertine present in the almonds are very effective remedy against wrinkle causing collagen and protects body from harmful UV rays damage.
• Pomegranate - Pomegranate is delicious exotic fruit that is famous for its anti-oxidant and healing properties. Ellagic acid present in this fruit protect the dermis from the effect of scorching UVA and UVB rays.
• Green vegetables - Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, Swiss chard and green lettuce are also good for skin. Leutin and zeaxanthin are the anti-oxidant present in these green leafy vegetables that are good to promote epidermal skin health.
• Tomatoes- Tomatoes are rich powerhouse of lycopene, adding more tomatoes to your diet means adding more lycopene to your diet . Lycopene is carotenoid and anti-oxidant that helps to neutralize the effect of free radicals produced by harmful UV rays. It also helps to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Tomatoes paste is applied over skin is used to remove dead skin and also give nourishment to skin.
• Watermelon - Watermelon is delicious summer fruit that contains 40-50% more lycopene than tomatoes. It is very helpful for curing skin relating problems and prevent our skin from sunburn.
• Cucumbers - Cucumber is great home remedy that is packed with nutrients that includes water, potassium, sulphate, vitamin A and C. Anti-oxidants present in cucumber protect body from harmful effects of sunrays. Water content in cucumber is also very high that helps to cool our skin in scorching heat of sun. Cucumber extract also helps to neutralize the effect of free radical that is major cause of skin damage and skin cancer.
• Turmeric - Turmeric is natural anti-inflammatory that helps to reduce the inflammation and pain caused by sunburns. It also nourishes our skin.
• Omega3 fatty acid - Flaxseeds, wild salmon and tuna fishes are rich sources of omega3 fatty acid that helps to reduce the inflammation caused by sunburn and also reduce the risk of skin cancer.
• Red grapes - phytonutrients present in the red grapes stop the formation of destructive reactive oxygen species that is responsible the causing skin damage, sun burn and skin cell damage. Polyphenols and proanthocynidines present in this beneficial fruit helps to inhibit the skin cancer caused by harmful ultraviolet radiations.

Skin the largest organ of our body that is affected by the harmful effects of sunlight both externally and internally. All the sunscreen are very harmful for our skin as it contributes in skin damage and causing skin cancer along with harmful UV rays. So it is very essential to protect our skin from these harmful sunscreen naturally by making some changes in lifestyle and diet in our daily routine. We can naturally protect our skin with healthy lifestyle and healthy diet.