Mother of Four and Cellist Refuses Sunscreen: 'If I Die, I Die'
Estonian musician Silvia Ilves has publicly stated she never uses sunscreen, sparking widespread social media debate where many agree with her stance, ignoring doctors' warnings about skin cancer risk.
Silvia Ilves, a 33-year-old Estonian cellist and mother of four, admitted in an interview with TV3 news that she has never used sunscreen. When the reporter pointed out doctors' recommendations, she replied: "That means I have never used them even voluntarily. Yes, I should. And of course, everyone says that..."
Ilves added: "We only live once. If I die from cancer in a year, then I die." Her statement caused a stir on social media, especially on Facebook. Many commenters expressed similar views, calling sunscreen "chemicals" and "rubbish". An 84-year-old woman proudly stated she had never used SPF cream, while others claimed that creams cause cancer faster than the sun.
However, the Estonian Health Department warned in May 2024 that excessive sun exposure and insufficient sunscreen use significantly increase the risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Chief chemical safety specialist Natalija Prometa emphasized that sunscreen should be applied in sufficient quantity, 20-30 minutes before sun exposure, and reapplied every two hours and after swimming.
Pharmacist Gerda Nēlisa explained that SPF does not prevent tanning but allows the skin to gradually adapt to the sun while reducing the risk of burns. She stressed the importance of applying more cream rather than too little.
