FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Australia, the country with the highest skin cancer rate in the world, has been engulfed in a major sunscreen scandal after revelations that some of the most popular products do not provide the protection promised.
The story of 34-year-old Rach, who applied sunscreen every day and was diagnosed with skin cancer on her nose, has shocked the public. After the diagnosis, she discovered that the product she had been using for years had been minimally effective, causing a wave of anger and distrust among citizens.
A report published in June by consumer organisation Choice Australia tested 20 sunscreens in an independent laboratory and found that 16 of them did not meet their claimed SPF levels. Among them was Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+, the product used by Rach, which showed a shocking result of just SPF 4.
The list also included well-known brands such as Neutrogena, Banana Boat, Bondi Sands and even Cancer Council products, but the companies denied Choice's results, insisting that their testing shows full efficacy.
However, public pressure forced the regulatory authority Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to launch a wide-ranging investigation, while several brands began withdrawing their products from the market. Ultra Violette initially defended its product, but later announced its withdrawal, issuing a public apology.
Experts say the scandal is not isolated to Australia. Many creams are produced in the same factories and tested in shared laboratories, raising suspicions of a more global problem. "A lot of regulations depend on how well they are enforced. Even international laboratories have been caught manipulating test results," Michelle Wong, a cosmetic chemist, told the BBC.
Australia, which has implemented powerful campaigns like “Slip, Slop, Slap” for years to protect its citizens from the sun, is facing an alarming reality: two out of three Australians will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. For this reason, the sunscreen scandal has been met with great indignation.
Experts advise the correct use of sunscreen, one teaspoon for each part of the body, reapplication every two hours, especially after sweating or bathing, as well as combining it with other protective measures such as clothing, hats, and staying in the shade.
"This scandal is a reminder that creams, even when they work, are not enough alone to protect us from the sun. It is a whole culture of safety that must be followed," the doctors emphasize.
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