What Is Your Sunscreen Hiding?

While we step out of home, the most important thing we remember is the sunscreen cream. Using sunscreen cream all over the exposed parts has become a common activity which we follow religiously without looking at the negative part of it. It is very important to protect your skin from the sun as it prevents skin cancer, premature ageing and wrinkles on skin. However, using chemical-based sunscreens can trigger skin infections and other problems. So, is sunscreen safe? There are certain things about sunscreens that you should know.

So before you apply a sunscreen, here are a few important points to consider as there are several side effects of sunscreen.

1. Allergic reactions
Most of the sunscreens that are available in the market contain high amounts of chemicals which cause itching and redness on the skin. These allergic reactions are due to chemicals and preservatives used in the making of the cream. PABA is a common ingredient that is used in most of the sunscreens which helps to protect your skin from the sun but at the same time leads to allergic reactions.

2. Increase the risk of breast cancer
Every woman applies a sunscreen with the intention of keeping her skin sun safe and healthy, but the fact is that the regular use of sunscreens can lead to breast cancer. According to a study it is said that sunscreens contain harmful ingredients which further affect the level of oestrogen in the body. Other than this, you should avoid using sunscreens on children as it gets absorbed directly into the skin. This is one of the risks of using sunscreen.

3. Eye irritation
Due to high levels of chemicals used in sunscreens, it leads to high levels of eye irritation. Such harmful elements present in the sunscreen can also lead to allergy in the eyes and temporary burning. However, some chemicals and elements used in sunscreens can lead to temporary blindness in a person. If you face any problem after using sunscreens, make sure you wash your eyes with cold water instantly.

4. Pain in hairy areas
It is said that sunscreen is available in gel, lotion, and many other forms. However, if you want to apply sunscreen in the underarm area you should use a sunscreen in the form of a gel. Gels are best to be used in areas where you have hair because due to the high amount of chemicals and harmful ingredients found in sunscreen, it can lead to pain in hairy areas. Generally, many people observe pain and inflammation in the underarms. This is one of the harmful effects of using sunscreen.

5. White and itchy spots
Using sunscreen can lead to itchy and red spots on the areas where you have applied sunscreen. It leads to bumps and boils under worst circumstances. If the chemicals in the sunscreen are too high, you can see blisters filled with pus around the hair follicles.

Some of the worst harmful chemicals ingredients used in a sunscreen are as follows:
• Paraben Preservatives
• Octocrylene
• Homosalate
• Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate)
• Octinoxate
• Oxybenzone
While choosing the right sunscreen for yourself, you should make sure that your sunscreen does not contain these ingredients.

Things to remember before applying a sunscreen:
- Do not use around the eye area
- If you feel itching on skin or eye, wash off with cold water
- In case of worst condition, contact the doctor soon.
- Make sure you use the gel sunscreen on hairy areas.
- Avoid using sunscreen on kids under 6 months.
- Reapply sunscreen after an equal interval of time.