TikTok sunscreen trend could have harmful impact

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Summer comes with more time spent outside enjoying the sun, but a new social media trend has skin experts concerned with the myths circulating about sunscreen.

An anti-sunscreen trend has become popular on social media sites, especially TikTok. The trend is encouraging users to stop wearing sunscreen arguing that the protectant uses cancer-causing chemicals and damages the skin.

Other common myths say sunscreen is an endocrine disruptor and may interfere with the body’s hormones, the sunscreen could enter the bloodstream, and that sunscreen is making people’s skin darker.

Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Lycia Thornburg said none of these myths are true.

“The FDA did a large study on this, of the old formulations and even with the old formulations that had higher concentrations less than a fraction of 1% got into our bloodstream. And the newer formulations also had been made so that they are not absorbed through the skin into our blood,” Thornburg said.

Thornburg said any claims of skin appearing darker with the use of sunscreen is likely due to a rare allergy to the sunscreen and was likely happening because users are staying in the sun too long. She stressed if anyone has any questions they should reach out to a dermatologist.

“We went to school to protect you, right? We’re here to teach you about this, to have your back to look out for you, to prevent skin cancer. And if you have questions, call your board-certified dermatologist, we will help you. And we want you not to have skin cancer, so please don’t think these things are going to harm you, they’ve been studied,” Thornburg said.

It’s recommended to apply sunscreen in the morning and reapply throughout the day, especially if you are in the sun. Limit your time outdoors and during peak times: wear protective shirts, hats, and sunglasses.

Contact a dermatologist with any questions or concerns.

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