Email This StoryLip gloss ups risk of cancer study says
April 30, 2008
By Christina Kruse
Staff writer
The Surgeon General's warning is plastered across every pack of cigarettes these days, telling the smoker that the product causes cancer. Also, there are multiple studies informing society that excessive sunbathing contributes to cancer. In addition to cigarettes and sunbathing, lip gloss may be added to the list of cancer-causing components when worn in the sun.
A study, called Solar Radiation, Lip Protection, and Lip Cancer Risk in Los Angeles County Women by Janice M. Pogoda and Susan Preston-Martin, researched lip protection and lip cancer risk in Los Angeles County women suggested that lip gloss may increase the risk of getting skin cancer.
"Clear lip gloss induces light transmission to the lip," said Dr. Christine Brown, a dermatologist with Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. "It's simple physics: more light is transmitted."
Brown said that women increase light penetration to the lip surface by applying something clear and shiny, like lip gloss.
"The bottom line is -- use a lip sunblock," Brown said.
Furthermore, Brown recommended using a lip sunblock containing an SPF of 30.
Those who wear lip gloss may still to do so only after applying a sun block to the lips. Chapstick Ultra and Blistex Clear Advance lip balm are two products that offer sun protection of that strength.
The Cancer Council Australia, a company that offers sun-care cosmetics, has also produced a lip gloss containing SPF 30. The ingredient found in lip protection is titanium dioxide, which acts as a physical sunblock.
Symptoms of skin cancer on the lip may include any change of color on the lip surface or a persistent peeling or flaking of a spot on the lip. If these occur, contact your dermatologist.
According to the American Cancer Society, the degree of risk for any skin cancer depends on the amount of UV exposure, the intensity of the light, and the length of time that the skin was exposed.
The American Cancer Society also states that most of the close to 1 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer, a cancer that develops in cells located on the outer layer of the skin, diagnosed yearly in the United States are considered to be sun-related.
Most of those who wear shiny lip-gloss are unaware of the link between shiny lip gloss and an increased risk of attaining skin cancer. However, it is not uncommon for lip gloss wearers to apply products such as Chapstick before putting on lip-gloss.
Houston senior Randi Cleary said she was unaware that shiny lip gloss increases the risk of getting skin cancer. However, Cleary regularly applies lip balm containing an SPF of 15.
"Now, I'll definitely remember to always put on Chapstick," she said.
Houston junior Heather Sheppard said she has used lip gloss and lip balm containing sunblock.
"I alternate between whichever one I have," she said.
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