1. Shining a Light on Sunscreen A search for a reasonable facsimile of the truth

2. Background In the past year there have been news stories that bring into question the safety and benefits of sunscreen.

3. Background For years now, we have been told by medical experts that to avoid skin cancer and pre-mature aging due to sun exposure, we must slather on sunscreen before going outside. This advice has even been set to music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7Az BIJoIhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7Az BIJoI

4. Bad News Recently reports have been published claiming that sunscreen is harmful. People are now asking if they have done themselves harm by following what seemed to be sound medical advice.

5. What’s the truth? Who and what are we supposed to believe? How can we tell who is more trustworthy?

7. Google ‘dangers of sunscreen’ Here is one of the first links that comes up: http://draxe.com/75-of-sunscreens-are- toxic-what-to-do-instead/http://draxe.com/75-of-sunscreens-are- toxic-what-to-do-instead/

8. Dr Axe is not a doctor of medicine He is not a medical researcher. He is not a chemist. (He was featured as one of Nashville Magazine’s 25 most beautiful people.) Despite his stunning beauty, I think he has be discredited on this topic.

9. Next… http://www.webmd.com/beauty/sun/sunscr een-safety-labels-ingredients?page=3http://www.webmd.com/beauty/sun/sunscr een-safety-labels-ingredients?page=3 This one seems a little more credible. They have won awards for credible, reliable journalism. Their staff includes doctors. They have presented a balanced view of the issue.

10. Are we any closer to the truth? Slightly. WebMD explains that it is not entirely clear if all sunscreens are 100% safe, but they also explain that some of the claims being made in the media now are probably not true.

11. Next… http://time.com/3056125/you-asked-is- sunscreen-safe-and-do-i-really-need-it- daily/http://time.com/3056125/you-asked-is- sunscreen-safe-and-do-i-really-need-it- daily/ Time Magazine is a trusted news source. It hires reputable writers (it you get a gig with Time Magazine, you’re well on your way to earning a living from your writing). Markham Heid is a respected journalist who writes on medical issues.

12. The Time article clearly explains the different types of sunscreen that are available and the alleged risks associated with each.

13. Bottom line (based on the best available information at the moment) Unless you’re a rodent, sunscreen is probably ok. Avoid the spray stuff (don’t inhale sunscreen – or glue or other weird stuff – duh…) Skin cancer is not o.k. and exposure to the sun is clearly associated with increased risk for skin cancer.

14. Biggest Danger of Sunscreen… A false sense of security. It’s not an impenetrable shield with a life- time guarantee once applied. Put your shirt on and wear a hat.