Dr. Jacquelyn Dosal was featured in this month’s Harper’s Bazaar Australia.  Journalist Amy Molloy consults with Dr. Dosal about over-stretched concerns regarding sunscreen safety.

Molloy writes that women are skipping daily sunscreen use for fear of putting chemicals on their skin. This “chemophobia” is largely internet and celebrity driven, in contradiction to scientific studies that demonstrate safety and effectiveness of sunscreens.

Dr. Dosal explains that the many of the assertions of toxicity come from lab animals that were fed sunscreen.  According to Dr. Dosal,

“There is a monstrous difference between eating super-high doses of sunscreen and applying it to your skin daily.”

To put it in perspective, it would take 200 years of daily sunscreen application to reach any amount of concern such as the scenarios found in the often cited rat studies.

If one has concerns, there are certain ingredients, such as zinc and titanium dioxide based, that are marketed as “chemical free,” (which really is a misnomer – everything is a chemical…. even water – remember H2O anyone?).

In summary, sunscreen not only prevents skin cancer, but it is also the best anti-aging ingredient on the market.  Don’t waste your time with fancy La Mer products if you aren’t wearing sunscreen every day!

Full article can be found here: harpars-bazaar-au-oct-16-health-sunscreen-new

Dr. Jacquelyn Dosal is a Board-Certified Dermatologist practicing dermatology in Miami, FL at Skin Associates of South Florida and is a voluntary Assistant Professor at the University of Miami.