We have been urged by dermatologists and doctors for years to use sunscreen, but what do we know about the sunscreen ingredients themselves? Do these ingredients protect us from the sun's harmful rays, or do the ingredients themselves put us at further risk for health issues. Here are some key points about sunscreen chemicals and their relation to estrogen.
Free Radical Generating Chemicals
What is a free radical and why is this important in chemical sunscreens? Basically, a free radical is an atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron, creating instability. This is important because free radicals can damage cells and potentially accelerate cancer progression.
Toxic Chemical Sunscreens
The estrogenic chemicals in essence imitate hormonal (produced by the body) estrogen, which is the key female sex hormone. In sunscreen, free radicals produce estrogen-like effects. What this means is the rise of free radicals can increase cancers, cause birth defects in children, and much more.
For women, the chemicals that are in sunscreen to block the harmful sun's rays also can cause endometriosis, migraines, severe PMS, uterine cysts, increased breast and uterine cancer, and even behavioral changes. Scientists have noted in tests that cancer cells grow more rapidly. Further, the combination of estrogenic chemicals and other chemical ingredients in sunscreen may in fact intensify and make the chemicals more toxic. The chemicals also can suppress the hormones in the thyroid, causing fatigue and muscle and joint pain.
Estrogenic chemicals can also produce harmful effects in men, such as lowered sperm counts, feminization (gender identity confusion), testicular cancer, undescended testicles, breast enlargement, and more. Estrogenic chemicals can block testosterone function, leading to a decrease in sexual arousal and loss of libido.
Octinoxate in Sunscreen
Octinoxate is the most widely used sunscreen ingredient, but in laboratory testing, octinoxate also has estrogenic effects. Women who are pregnant should not use products with this ingredient, not only sunscreen, but lipsticks, foundations, moisturizers, and lip balms. Octinoxate use can result in reproductive and developmental toxicity. What happens when a woman uses sunscreen with this ingredient is that the chemical is quickly absorbed into the skin and then into the body's tissues.
Final Thoughts
There are many more reasons to be extremely wary about using chemical sunscreens. The list of harmful ingredients is staggering, and what those ingredients can do to the human body is also quite alarming. But there are safe alternatives in the form of organic sunscreens. It is time to protect yourself and your family and friends by making an informed decision about chemical sunscreen use. Take the time to get educated and make a change.
If you enjoyed this article and would like several more information about chemical sunscreens, and FREE sunscreen tips, go to http://safesunscreenforkids.com/ for more detailed information.
Renee Pawlish offers advice and tips on safe sunscreen and organic living. She extensively researches these topics and shares the information so anyone can live a better, healthier life. Her online resources are a valuable educational experience!
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