Sunscreens

Overview

Sunscreens are topical products that protect the skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, helping to prevent sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. They work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering UV rays before they can reach the skin. 

Cells

 Sunscreens protect the p53 Tumor Suppressor Gene in the Skin from the damage inflicted by excessive exposure to the Ultraviolet Radiation component of Sunlight.  ^[1]

Immune System

 Sunscreens may help to prevent some types of Cancer - Skin, but not the Melanoma form of Skin Cancer:  ^[2]

 One of the underlying mechanisms through which Sunscreens prevent Skin Cancers other than Melanoma is by protecting the p53 Tumor Suppressor Gene in the Skin from the damage inflicted by excessive exposure to the Ultraviolet Radiation component of Sunlight.  ^[1]

Skin

 Sunscreens prevent Sunburn - the ability of specific Sunscreens to prevent Sunburn is related to their SPF rating.  ^[4]

 Benzophenones (applied topically as a component of Sunscreens) protect the skin against the detrimental effects of Ultraviolet Radiation -specifically, they absorb UV-A and UV-B Radiation between the wavelengths of 250 - 360 nm (however, Benzophenones are less effective at absorbing UV-B Radiation than Para Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) and its esters).  Benzophenones can cause (Skin) Allergies in some people.