Dangers Of Wearing Lip Gloss In The Sun

Media Release
Date: 3rd February 2010

Care Chemist Launches Campaign To Educate New Zealand Women On Dangers Of Wearing Lip Gloss In The Sun

Care Chemist, New Zealand’s fastest growing community pharmacy group, has launched a campaign to highlight the link between skin cancer and wearing lip gloss in the sun.

Studies[1] have revealed that applying lip gloss without an SPF can cause an increased number of UV rays to penetrate directly through the skin, instead of being reflected off the skin’s surface. At worst, it is thought that the resulting skin damage can lead to potentially fatal forms of skin cancer.

Tania Adams, owner of Care Chemist Manly, hopes that the new initiative, being carried by all 24 Care Chemist pharmacies across the country, will bring attention to a danger that many people will not be aware of.

‘Many women assume that lip gloss will create enough of a barrier to protect their skin from the sun,’ says Tania. ‘However, nothing could be further from the truth. The ultra-shine of the glosses creates a magnifying effect, which actually attracts the sun.

‘Sun damage can also cause premature ageing, making the already thin skin on the lips even thinner, which can cause rips and tears. Brown spots and actinic keratosis, a small, scaly patch of skin that can morph into a wart-like bump if left untreated, are other possible side effects.’

Tania recommends that lip gloss wearers use a layer of SPF 30 sun protection under any shiny lip balms and glosses. An even more preferable option is to choose a lip gloss containing sun block of at least SPF 30.

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.

For more information on Care Chemist, visit www.carechemist.co.nz
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