Sunscreen

Does taking a shower prevent the skin from absorbing vitamin D from sunlight? No, that's not true: Medical experts confirmed to Lead Stories that vitamin D is made in living cells in the skin and thus cannot be washed off. The person giving this advice is Barbara O'Neill, a controversial naturopath who was banned from practice in Australia. The claim…

Are all mainstream commercially branded sunscreens toxic? No, that's not true: The Food and Drug Administration regulates sunscreens to ensure they meet safety and effectiveness standards. While some sunscreens may contain ingredients that some people consider potentially harmful or irritating, all commercially branded sunscreens are not toxic in their formulation. The claim appeared in a post (archived here) on Facebook…

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…

Is sunscreen bad for your skin? And did skin cancer not exist until the 20th century? No, that's not true: Two dermatologists told Lead Stories that sunscreen, chemical or mineral, is not bad for your skin. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), skin cancer is caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet rays. And Hippocrates, a Greek physician,…

Is it true that no doctor on television advises people to boost their immune system with vitamins and natural light, instead only pushing vaccines and drugs? No, that's not true. Plenty of coverage, including guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has been given to the strong benefits of vitamins and sunlight. The claim is in a meme…

Did Keanu Reeves write a quote about eating healthy and concluding that "none of us are getting out of here alive"? No, that's not true: The quote has been falsely attributed to the "John Wick" actor and other celebrities over the past several years, also including actors Richard Gere and Christopher Walken. Whether or not the message is good, the…

Can McDonald's french fries cure baldness? No, that's not true: Researchers have found that an ingredient used in the making of McDonald's fries -- in a very small amount -- might also be used as a "culture vessel" in the mass production of hair follicle germs for hair loss treatments. This does not mean that eating fries, which have a…