Laguna Beach Alumna Kristin Cavallari is under fire for comments she made on a podcast in January. I honestly say Her post questioning the need for sunscreen began circulating on social media.
“I know this is controversial, but I want to have a conversation about the sun and sunscreen,” Cavallari, 37, told holistic physician Dr. Ryan Monahan, who she invited onto her podcast.
“I don't wear sunscreen and I often get called out for admitting that I don't in every interview, so I'd like to share with you the health benefits of the sun and why you don't need sunscreen.”
“Exactly, this is a very contentious topic. It's so interesting because it's about the sun,” Monahan responded. “Humans have literally lived in the sun all day for the last 100 years or so, and now we're locked down and spending 93 percent of our lives indoors, which is really bad for a lot of reasons. The sun is life-giving and nourishing.”
Let's be honest with Kristin Cavallari/YouTube
As one dermatologist pointed out in a TikTok podcast video, “What the health gurus don't tell you is that our ancestors didn't get skin cancer because they were immune to UV-induced DNA damage, but rather, they died younger than the average age at which skin cancer develops.”
As the American Cancer Society points out, the average age for skin cancer to be diagnosed is 66 years old.
Skin cancer is also the most common type of cancer; according to the American Academy of Dermatology, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
“Excessive exposure to UV rays from the sun and the use of indoor tanning also increase the risk of all types of skin cancer, as does a personal history of skin cancer,” the AAD says, adding that “the majority of cases of malignant melanoma are attributable to UV exposure.”
Kristin Cavallari/Instagram
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, “The best way to protect your skin is to wear sunscreen or protective clothing when you're outdoors, even when you're in the shade.”
During the podcast, Cavallari mentioned using coconut oil while sunbathing, and Monahan suggested eating it instead, claiming that kelp in an anti-inflammatory diet can help prevent sunburn.
Research has shown that certain foods may affect how your body responds to UV damage. Verywell Health The media also points out that “the best thing you can do for your skin and overall health is to prevent sunburn.”
Additionally, the Mayo Clinic Health System advises, “Avoid so-called sunscreens that don't provide any sun protection, such as cocoa butter, safflower, olive, jojoba, baby oil, and coconut oil.”
