Sunburn

Do photos of sunflowers facing away from the sun prove the sun has been replaced? No, that's not true: Mature sunflowers do not follow the sun throughout the day, a sunflower farmer told Lead Stories, and also a scientific study shows. Only young sunflowers track the sun across the sky over the course of the day, so photos that show…

Are sunglasses "bad for your eyes" because they trick the brain into believing the sun isn't that hot, thus leading to more severe sunburn? No, that's not true: There is no evidence to substantiate this claim. Lead Stories spoke to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and two board-certified dermatologists who all told us this claim was false and that individuals…

Do plants produce oils that provide effective natural sun protection and do sunscreens cause cancer? No, neither is true: "There is no evidence that they afford even close to adequate protection," board-certified dermatologist Julie K. Karen, M.D., told Lead Stories. Sunscreens do not cause cancer and "have been shown to substantially reduce UV-induced damage and skin cancer," she said. The…

Are sunless tanning products containing dihydroxyacetone dangerous because they "change your DNA," and as an alternative should people seeking a tan gradually increase their sun exposure (while avoiding burning) to build up a "natural sunscreen"? No, that's not true: Sunless tanning products are considered safer than other forms of tanning. There have been in vitro studies that detected DNA damage…

Does the government's Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) provide data or reports that prove the COVID-19 vaccine or other vaccines have caused injuries or deaths? No, that's not true: As the VAERS webpage itself repeatedly explains, its purpose is to collect a wide-open, likely repetitive, messy and incomplete list of anyone's anecdotal, amateur, professional and even malicious reports of…