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Mole Expert Responds to Influencer’s Anti-Sunscreen Comments
Reality TV star Sam Faiers has caused controversy by sharing that she does not use sunscreen in her family – children included – due to concerns over ‘toxic ingredients’. She posted on Instagram from Majorca, saying:
“My whole family don’t actually wear sunscreen. Over the years, the kids have built up a really good tolerance to being in the sun. Of course, if it’s really hot and the sun feels too harsh, I’ll make sure we head into the shade… I’m really careful about sunscreen in general, because a lot of them are actually pretty harmful and full of toxic ingredients.”
Her public stance against SPF has been slammed by health and skin experts, who caution that not using sunscreen means the skin is unprotected against the sun’s harmful rays.
Dr Ross Perry, GP and founder and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, described the comments as ‘naive and irresponsible’.
As seen in the Mail on Sunday
The Mail on Sunday/Daily Mail investigated and found that the source of the idea that sunscreen can be harmful seemed to be based on a 2019 study which tested 4 products and found excessive amounts of some chemicals in some sunscreens. The paper was shared on Twitter by obesity doctor Dr Tro and has caused extensive debate and controversy online ever since.
However, in the UK, doctors and skin experts have refuted the concerns, saying that lack of sun protection could see skin cancer numbers rise in the future.
The Mail on Sunday asked Dr Ross Perry, founder and Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics, to provide his expert advice on the matter. Ross explained:
“Children do not build up a tolerance to sun exposure – they are just storing up more sun damage for later on in life.
“It is a well-known fact if children get any degree of sunburn, it more than doubles their risk of getting skin cancer at a later date so that is completely false and misleading.
“Remember any tan or sunburn is creating damage to the skin so SPF should always be worn in the sun.”
Read more at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14965775/US-doctor-fuel-fears-toxic-sunscreens-Sam-Faiers.html
Dr Ross Perry
Dr Ross Perry regularly provides expert comment and advises the media on a range of skincare and health-related issues.
He has particular expertise in skin surgery mole removal and melanoma; having removed thousands of moles in his career, both within the NHS and privately through Cosmedics Skin Clinics. He has provided expert advice on sun damage and sun protection for a variety of UK media and publications.
He also comments on the latest cosmetic and anti-ageing treatment methods.
Sun Protection Advice
The NHS advice for staying safe outdoors includes:
- Never allow the skin to burn
- Wear a minimum SPF30 sunscreen when outside
- Avoid the sun between 11am and 3pm as the sun is at its peak at this time. Stay indoors or find some shade
- Cover up with protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes, and again just before, UV exposure
- Opt for water-resistant sunscreen if necessary and reapply after swimming, sweating or using a towel
- Be extra careful with babies and young children. Infants under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight
- Do not use sunbeds or sunlamps
Mole care
The NHS website specifically warns:
“If you have lots of moles or freckles, your risk of getting skin cancer is higher than average, so take extra care.”
It’s important to make regular checks for unusual moles and look for any changes such as new or changing moles, lumps, growths or suspicious symptoms on the skin.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics
Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors. The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.
Call 020 7386 0464 or email enquiries@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.
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