“Dark skin doesn’t burn”. No, skin colour does not protect against sun damage, including sunburn. Although skin cancer is less common in people with darker skin, the mortality rate is higher. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, this is partly because many people are unaware that they are at risk.

“I don’t need sunscreen if I’m only going outside for a few minutes”.  No, the intensity of solar radiation varies and affects each person differently. For this reason, experts recommend incorporating sunscreen into your daily routine.

“One application is enough”. No, not always. If you’re outside, swimming, or sweating, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours. A survey by the American Academy of Dermatology of 1,000 adults in the United States found that nearly two-thirds of participants didn’t reapply sunscreen.

“All sunscreens are the same”. No, experts recommend broad-spectrum products with a protection factor of at least SPF 30, which protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

“Sunscreen causes vitamin D deficiency”. No, scientific studies have not found sufficient evidence to support this claim. Vitamin D can also be obtained from other sources, such as eggs, fish, milk, and dietary supplements.

“There are completely waterproof sunscreens”. No, there are only sunscreens that are water-resistant. Expert advice is:-

1 Check how long the manufacturer states that water resistance lasts
2 Apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
3 Always apply it to dry skin
4 Reapply after swimming, according to the product instructions

“Being in shade is enough”. No, shade from a tree or umbrella offers protection, but it is no substitute for sunscreen. UV rays are reflected off sand, water, and snow, so protection is still necessary.

“A light tan is healthy”. No, there is no such thing as a healthy tan. Even a light tan causes damage to the DNA of cells and increases the risk of skin cancer.

“It’s too late to start protecting myself”.  No, sun damage accumulates throughout life. However, it’s never too late to start protecting your skin. Every time you use sunscreen, you’re giving your skin an extra layer of protection.

Sunscreen misinformation goes viral
A new article published in the scientific journal “PLOS Digital Health” found that TikTok videos promoting misleading information about sunscreen tend to garner more comments, shares, and views, potentially causing harm to those following the ‘advice’. Always seek professional advice when purchasing sunscreen and read the information on usage.