Comments on: Sunscreen ingredient may pose skin cancer risk, researchers find

By: Paul Saris

Paul Saris — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 07:29:49 +0000

I am in strong agreement with Dr Spirolet and Dr. Kilday on the relevance of using lung cells for such tests as well as drawing any conclusions on skin cancer based on the results.
Targeting only the common physical sun filters this way is only geared to creating prejudice against them. It would be a completely different story if also the most commonly used chemical filters would be a part in such a comparison.
Another issue is that Zinc oxide dissolves at pH below 6.5. The slightly acidic pH found in human tissue is actually below that number. Also Zinc oxide tends to rise the pH of an unbuffered aqueous solution to roughly 8.
How did the study rule out that the observed was not a combined effect of UV-light on cells weakened by the toxicity of released Zinc-ions. After all, Zinc oxide is classified as a maritime pollutant with effects on e.g. daphnia.

By: Dilemma

Dilemma — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:03:38 +0000

Very interesting…I am torn between who to believe. For sunscreen or against? Two months ago, I started to have skin rashes on my face and there was flare up almost every week. Even though blood test came in negative, the skin biopsy results were diagnosed as LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS. Told to wear maximum protection sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as sun is the trigger for this condition. I have fair skin and excellent complexion all my life till now, and can use anything on my face without any allergic reaction. I had been using Neutrogena Age Shield Face block all the time before this happens, but it does not contain zinc or titanium dioxide. So I am debating if I should switch or not in view of this new findings of zinc oxide causing cancer. To take a chance of getting skin cancer or to let this lupus develop? Either way not very nice thought…:( Hope this is NOT TRUE.

By: John Miller

John Miller — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 21:33:28 +0000

Isn’t it interesting that the sunscreen advocates are quick to critcize the findings of this preliminary research even questioning who, or what company paid for the research. There are even complaints about this information being released. I bet they don’t question who or what company pays for the research that is pro-sunscreen use. Talk about information being released in an alarmist fashion, the CDC and other sunscreen advocates scream a the top of their lungs that if you don’t use sunscreen you’ll get skin cancer. This claim is a lie, because not everyone who is exposed to sunlight a lot and doesn’t use sunscreen gets skin cancer. I’m glad to see that someone is finally doing research into just what kind of negative effects applying all these chemicals, such as in sunscreen, has on our bodies.

By: A. Shepard

A. Shepard — Sat, 12 May 2012 13:10:45 +0000

I wonder if the study could be expanded to titanium dioxide.

By: Joseph H

Joseph H — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:15:36 +0000

Probably will..More than probably will after what i went through last summer. I’m a 49 year old white male,with medium to light skin tone. I always tan, I do get a bit of a burn that first time out but it’s mostly red, not really burnt..I have been to beaches, up the local mountaintop, sit out in the sun for lunchbreaks , ride my bicycle..But last summer i moved.the location was farther for me to bike, a bit more exposure. I have used sunscreen before and never had a problem , i also use Hawaiian Tropic oil and always get a good tan , i never exposed myself for too long..But last summer i purchased sunscreen because of my lengthier exposure , but not all that longer, and my what a burn i received . I swore it was poison ivy, a real bad rash ,with blister looking bumps..It was where ever i put the lotion..I thought it was my new apartment, i thought it was my glasses because my skin even burned underneath my transitions lenses , even after i put a flip up extra sun visor on them.. I went to my physician and she said to immediately stop using whatever it was that i was using , “it looks like rash “,she said.And refered me to a specialist for blood work that i never followed up on ..At another Dr’s office a month later they said use bacitracin”
Yes that worked as far as relief goes , but what about before , what lotion do i use TO NOT GET BURNED”? I bought 4 different brands of sunscreen…i stopped using sunscreen and use just the oil now – i have no more burns and a very nice tan !!

By: Dr. Don Kilday

Dr. Don Kilday — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:51:40 +0000

Dr. Ma, I am in agreement with Dr Spirolet in the strange conclusion you reached based on testing with lung cells.. What relevance does it have to reality and who or what company has paid for the research..
Look forward to any information that you could provide and very interested in your reseach.. The timing of this information is also of interest to me and many in the scientific community across the country..
Don Kilday, Doctor of Pharmacy

By: Ina Subramanian

Ina Subramanian — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:12:46 +0000

During skin cancer awareness month this article is quite frankly VERY negligent. The study itself cites nano-particles of zinc as being the possible problem. As an advocate for consumers and all around good health, we find this news article unfortunate. The title and first paragraph would make any consumer flee from the suncreen aisle. Why not just put the information out there in a non-alarmist fashion? Zinc is one of THE healthiest forms of sun protection and does not penetrate healthy skin. Again, the reference was to nano particles. MISLEADING!

By: Luce Myers

Luce Myers — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:13:38 +0000

Dear Dr. Ma,
This is important information for those using make-up “erasers” or concealers for under eye darkness that might include zinc. Zinc is used to create an opaque quality to some cosmetics.
Several years ago there was a Missouri S&T professor doing research regarding the use of titanium dioxide in skin applications. Are you aware of any similar testing for titanium dioxides? Thank you for your comments and research.
Luce Myers

By: Christine Spirlet

Christine Spirlet — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:26:47 +0000

Dear Dr Ma,
Just out of curiosity, I would like to understand the relevancy:
1) to expose human lung cells immersed in a solution containing nano-particles of zinc oxide react when exposed to different types of light for this would never happen in reality
2) to draw conclusions about skin cancer risk from those human lung cells.
I would very much appreciate to receive your publication(s)
Thank you for your consideration.
Dr Christine Spirlet

By: Will Foster

Will Foster — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:05:04 +0000

It is the nano zinc that reacts- I would like to see the same study on non-nano zinc.

By: Nancy Uri

Nancy Uri — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:59:26 +0000

Good job on your research!!!!!