In an age of social media falsehoods, it’s perhaps not surprising that sunscreen, a summer staple, now has its own virtual presence – and is languishing under the haze of online disinformation.
As the New York Times reports, several surveys indicate a trend emerging among younger adults who appear to be neglecting sun protection because of myths about sunscreen and skin cancer that they encounter online.
“These myths spread and are often read more often than the actual information that is out there,” said Caroline Hopkins, a reporter who recently covered sunscreen for the Times. “There are a lot of people who claim to be experts but have no qualifications whatsoever.”
Speaking on Connecticut Public’s “Where We Live,” Hopkins cited a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology that found that 37 percent of 18- to 26-year-olds said they only use sunscreen when someone asks them to. Another survey found that more than one in 10 adults under 35 believe the myth that daily sunscreen application is more harmful than direct sun exposure.
Myths about the so-called “base tan” that protects against the sun are also spreading falsely on the Internet, says Dr. Kelly Olino, assistant professor of surgical oncology at the Yale School of Medicine.
“After you achieve your base tan, the skin is already damaged,” Olino said. “So you’re actually more susceptible to further skin damage than before.”
This damage can include various types of skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma.
While sunscreen isn’t your only protection — shade and wide-brimmed hats can also provide protection from the sun — it’s a crucial way to protect your skin, Olino says.
“It is important to use a sun protection factor of at least 30 or higher and to apply the cream every two hours – and more often if you sweat or go into the water,” said Olino.
Learn more
Listen to the full interview on Where We Live: Tanning addiction, skin cancer, SPF, misinformation – a deep dive into sunscreen
Tess Terrible and Catherine Shen of Connecticut Public contributed to this report.
