Sunscreen May Promote Skin Cancer Growth

Supplement pills reduced risk, particularly in women

(NEWSER) - If you're worried about getting skin cancer, maybe some vitamin A supplements are in order; a new study has shown that people taking them were 60% less likely to develop melanoma. The study, which was published today in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, followed 59,000 people for six years, LiveScience reports. Of the 5,800 taking regular vitamin A supplements, only 28 got melanoma—compared to 506 among those who had never taken it. More»

Driving is likely to blame, say researchers

(NEWSER) - Before you roll your car windows and set out on a summer road cruise, consider this: People in the US are more likely to get skin cancer on their left side, perhaps because of driving, new research shows. While driving, the left arm gets more UV. In cases where skin cancer occurred on only one side, 52% of melanomas and 53% of merkel cell carcinomas were on the left, USA Today reports. More»

Digital prodding pays off with increased usage: researchers

(NEWSER) - Just 20% of adults use sunscreen regularly, a distressing number for skin cancer specialists. But far more can receive text messages, and people who receive a daily text message instructing them to slap on the Coppertone are surprisingly likely to pay attention. More than half followed through when they received the reminders, according to a new study; just 30% of those who didn’t get the texts broke out the sunscreen on their own. How did the researchers know? Electronic bottle monitoring. More»

An environmental research group says most sunscreens don't protect adequately

(NEWSER) - That sunscreen you slather on this holiday weekend may be worthless at protecting you from sun damage, an environmental research group claims, and may contain unsafe chemicals. Of 900 sunscreens tested, only 15% met the group's criteria for safety and effectiveness by providing broad-spectrum protection (from both UVA and UVB rays), remaining stable in sunlight, and containing only active ingredients considered safe, WebMD reports. More»

Quit smoking, get some sleep, and don't go crazy with the beauty aids

(NEWSER) - You can't fight getting older, but you can keep the signs of wear and tear, not to speak of stress, off your face with these tips from the New York Times beauty expert:

1. Get rid of old beauty products after a year—pots and tubes can develop micro-organism communities
2. Quit smoking—dermatologists have found it can add years to a face
3. Stop popping pimples—you risk infection and scarring
4. Lower your stress and sleep more—stress can weaken the skin's "barrier function"