Health Canada is advising Canadians against using homemade sunscreens due to the risks associated with sun exposure.
Health Canada highlights the sharing of sunscreen recipes on social media and cautions against the use of homemade sunscreens as they may not provide adequate protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays.
The government recommends the use of authorized sunscreen products only.
“All sunscreens approved for sale in Canada must have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or Natural Product Number (NPN),” the notice explains.
A DIN or NPN is assigned to a product after Health Canada evaluates that “the benefits of using the product outweigh the potential risks” when used as directed.
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“In addition to homemade sunscreen, Health Canada is aware that there are myths and misinformation circulating on social media about the safety of sunscreens, claiming that their ingredients are harmful to the skin and can cause cancer,” the notice points out.
Health Canada asserts that all approved sunscreens in the market are safe “when used as directed.”
The federal health department emphasizes that inadequate protection from the sun is the primary cause of skin cancer.
Health Canada recommends the use of sunscreen in combination with other protective measures such as wearing protective clothing, seeking shade, and avoiding peak sun hours to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
CCS highlights that men are more prone to melanoma diagnosis compared to women, with an estimated 6,500 men and 4,800 women being diagnosed. Additionally, 850 men are projected to die from the disease, as opposed to 440 women.
The study also indicates that women are more proactive in seeking medical attention for skin concerns and new mole development.
Men report higher instances of sunburn and are more likely to experience sun exposure through work or recreational activities.
“These behavior patterns may explain the lower incidence and mortality rates of melanoma in women,” the study concludes.
