Aug 19, 2008 6:50 pm US/Eastern
HealthWatch: Jury Out On New Sunscreen Pill
Dermatological Surgeon Tells CBS 2 HD 'Heliocare' Is Not The Perfect Product Some Believe It Is
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
An over-the-counter pill claims to protect your skin from the sun.
"Heliocare" calls itself an all-natural oral antioxidant that helps maintain the skin's ability to protect itself from UV ray damage and aging.
But not everyone is convinced.
"People don't want to be bothered putting cream on every hour or so while they're out at the beach," said Dr. Anne Dacko, a dermatological surgeon at Beth Israel Medical Center. "They would love to just take a pill and be done with it. Unfortunately, that pill doesn't exist yet."
CBS 2 HD spoke with several people who said they'd be all for such a product.
"A pill, that's really neat," said Jill Fitzgerald of Milford, Conn. "You don't have to worry about it -- sunscreen -- rubbing off and what not."
Heliocare is made from a fern extract. It's thought to absorb free radicals – the substances that damage the DNA in skin cells. It's intended for use alongside other forms of sun protection.
"The more the better," Dacko said. "If you wear a hat, sun block and avoid the beach in the middle of the day that's even better."
The new pill comes at a time when sunscreen is under scrutiny.
"I don't really like the idea of taking a pill to protect my skin because it just seems weird," said Kris Marpe of South Jersey.
Scientists have expressed concern about potentially carcinogenic chemicals in the lotions that may cause cell damage.
"There have been some concerns with oxybenzone, one of the main sun block ingredients that we use, but most doctors feel or most dermatologists feel that it's still safer to protect yourself from the sun using a sun block cream rather than nothing," Dacko said.
Heliocare appears safe, but studies are limited.
"It hasn't been tested in pregnant women, children under age 10," Dacko said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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