Article: Are tyrosinase inhibitors in sunscreens and cosmetics enhancing UV carcinogenicity?

Context

We recently took a family vacation to Florida. Our 6-month old was loving the beach & water.

Upon our return, I showed my coworker a picture of him with a light tan, happy as can be. No burns, no redness, no discomfort of any sort. The coworker immediately inquired whether I lathered him in sunscreen prior to exposure. You should have seen her face when I said no.

"Studies have shown that kids who get burnt as toddlers have higher risk of melanoma."

Apart from the fact that you cannot really tease out the intervening 50-70 years between getting a sunburn as a toddler and developing melanoma as a retiree...there are other confounding variables. For example, maybe those prone to sunburns have less resilient skin type? No matter - she was beyond help.

No, doc, I didn't lather my baby in synthetic chemical byproducts. I bought him a hat and placed him in the shade after he went for a short dip in the water. Simple.

But, is dunking your child in sunscreen such a big deal?