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RESEARCH REPORTS
KEEP SLAPPING ON THAT
SUNSCREEN
It’s safe to slap on the sunscreen this summer -- in repeated doses -- despite what you have
read about the potential toxicity of sunscreens.
A new study led by the University of zinc-containing sunscreens than in Volunteers applied the ZnO
of Queensland (UQ) and human studies. nanoparticles every hour for six
University of South Australia hours on five consecutive days.
(UniSA) provides the first “There were concerns that these
direct evidence that zinc oxide zinc oxide nanoparticles could be “Using superior imaging
nanoparticles used in sunscreen absorbed into the epidermis, with methods, we established that the
neither penetrate the skin nor toxic consequences, including DNA nanoparticles remained within
cause cellular toxicity after damage,” Professor Roberts says. the superficial layers of the skin
repeated applications. and did not cause any cellular
The toxicity link was picked up by damage,” Professor Roberts
The research, published this week consumers, sparking fears that says.
in the Journal of Investigative Australians could reduce their
Dermatology, refutes widespread sunscreen use, echoed by a Cancer “We hope that these findings help
claims among some public Council 2017 National Sun Protection improve consumer confidence in
advocacy groups -- and a growing Survey showing a drop in the number these products and in turn lead to
belief among consumers -- about of people who believed it was safe to better sun protection. The terrible
the safety of nanoparticulate-based use sunscreens every day. consequences of skin cancer and
sunscreens. skin damage caused by prolonged
Professor Roberts and his co- sun exposure are much greater
UQ and UniSA lead investigator, researchers in Brisbane, Adelaide, than any toxicity posed by approved
Professor Michael Roberts, says the Perth and Germany studied the sunscreens.”
myth about sunscreen toxicity took safety of repeated applications of
hold after previous animal studies zinc oxide nanoparticles applied to
found much higher skin absorption five volunteers aged 20-30 years.
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