Do Sunscreens Save Your Skin?

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What if, as the Garlands contend, UV-A causes melanoma? Many of today's sunscreens block only "about half of the UV-A," says Cedric Garland. "The other half is a full dose of ultraviolet." The Garlands point to one study that suggests that animals exposed to both UV-A and UV-B develop more cancers than those receiving UV-B alone. "Sunburn has been with people ever since there have been people outdoors," Cedric says. "But it can't account for the melanoma epidemic."

Nonsense, the Garlands' critics respond. "We know that the more sunburns you have, the greater your risk of melanoma," says Dr. Darrell Rigel, a dermatologist at New York University. "And we do know that sunscreens stop you from getting sunburn." Particularly bad burns suffered in childhood or adolescence appear to increase the risk of melanoma, and a genetic predisposition to skin cancer also plays a role.

The one thing everyone agrees on is that sunscreens are not foolproof. Although manufacturers are now introducing formulas that block out almost all UV-A and UV-B radiation, the best protection against skin cancer is still to avoid the sun, cover up whenever possible, slather on plenty of high-test sunscreen for those body parts that remain exposed -- and try to enjoy the summer anyway.

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT: American Cancer Society

CAPTION: Reported deaths from melanoma in the U.S.