"Sun lotions 'are not effective'"

[MsRay]

BBC article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3142386.stm) says the lotions prevent sunburn, but don't prevent absorbtion of the UVA rays which is what leads to cancer.

[joeyjoey]

Since the cancer is caused by a release of free radicals do you feel that extra antioxidants (i.e., Vitamins A, C & E) can help prevent skin cancer?

[MsRay]

Originally posted by joeyjoey
Since the cancer is caused by a release of free radicals do you feel that extra antioxidants (i.e., Vitamins A, C & E) can help prevent skin cancer? If they are effective against free radicals, I would think that's a likely possiblility. Of course, until someone studies it, their actual effect could be insignificant.

[joeyjoey]

I just did a quick Medline search and it explains how most plants protect themselves from UV rays by releasing Viatmins C and E.

They can be ingested or applied topically to help prevent skin cancer.

[John Kennedy]

So let me clear this up... UVA Rays cause cancer but don't burn you (or don't cause reddening and discomfort), and the UVB rays are the ones that burn you but they don't cause cancer? I always thought that the reddening was the dangerous part of tanning, which was caused by UVB rays, and blocking UVB rays (say with sunblock or by using a non UVB ray tanning bed) would allow you to get a gradual tan without the burn.

[joeyjoey]

http://magazines.ivillage.com/goodhousekeeping/hb/news/article/0,,comtex_2003_09_29_up_0000-4595-bc-britain-sunscreen~ew~xml,00.html

[John Kennedy]

Those tanning salon bastards lied to me!

[joeyjoey]

And I thought you were smart :(





Just kidding :flickTong

[John Kennedy]

haha... it did seem to make sense though although I never looked into the subject to doublecheck them. I just always associated reddening and burning with being the harmful part of tanning, and thought that those UVA-only beds were godsent... I guess I was wrong.