A significant majority of Germans trust the effectiveness of sunscreen, according to a survey conducted by the Sozialforschungsinstitut Infas for the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit.” The poll, which surveyed 1,018 people in May, found that 66 percent were either somewhat or completely convinced that sunscreen protects them from skin cancer, while only 15 percent were poorly or not at all convinced.
These public results stand in sharp contrast to current expert assessments as a new medical guideline for skin cancer prevention is being developed. Inga-Marie Hübner, a health researcher quoted by “Die Zeit,” noted, “Some studies show a protective effect of sunscreen, but others point in the opposite direction.”
Hübner, who is a board member of the working group for dermatological prevention and substantially contributed to the draft of the new guideline, stated that based on the available evidence, it “cannot be assessed whether sun protection products offer sufficient protection against skin cancer.”
She warned against a “false sense of security.” Hübner observed that many people feel fully protected by sunscreen, prompting them to spend the entire day at the beach. This confidence is further undermined by the fact that the actual SPF of the cream is often significantly lower than listed on the packaging, and people typically apply only half the amount needed to achieve that designated protection. She concluded, “It does not surprise me that we do not see a correlation between the use of sun protection products and the prevention of skin cancer.”
Regarding official safety standards, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) recommends a high SPF of at least 30. For stays at high altitudes, on snow, near water, or in sun-rich regions, the agency advises a very high SPF (50+). To achieve the SPF stated on the product, two milligrams of sunscreen must be applied per square centimeter of skin. For an adult, this amounts to about four heaped tablespoons for the entire body.
The SPF indicates how long one can theoretically be exposed to the sun without getting a sunburn, calculated by multiplying the factor by 10 minutes. However, the BfS advises that this theoretical protection duration should not be utilized in excess of 60 percent.
