We've heard for years that ultraviolet light from the sun causes skin cancer, and so we religiously slather our squirming children with sunscreen from April through October (or perhaps even in the winter!). However, considerable research from the past decade has found that the real culprit for life-threatening types of skin cancer may be some unusual sources: trans fats in the diet (which interfere with enzyme systems and the production of cancer-protective factors by the body--and remember, these come from regular heated vegetable oils as well as packaged foods!), chemicals in sunscreen (which have been proven to cause skin cancer), and other toxins which are stored in the skin; in fact, a lack of sunlight may even be to blame! It is worth noting that 90% of skin cancers (like squamous and basal cell carcinomas) are not life-threatening and can be treated successfully in an outpatient procedure. The other 10% are melanomas which have the potential to spread to the rest of the body; these are most likely to occur on areas of the body "where the sun don't shine," not in places where a sunburn has occurred. In fact, there is a correlation between all kinds of cancer and residing in northern latitudes where people get less sun--and therefore make less vitamin D.
Exposure of skin to sunlight during mid-day hours during the warmer months is very important for vitamin D production (at latitudes above 34 degrees there will be a "vitamin D winter" in effect during a significant part of the year; at this time people will not be able to produce vitamin D). Assuming you have fair skin, the more of it you expose the more vitamin D you will produce since it is formed by the interaction of sunlight with cholesterol in the skin. It is not necessary for skin to change color to produce sufficient vitamin D, but it is important that it be exposed. Use of sunscreens above 8 SPF and covering up with clothing will block vitamin D production. As we age, our bodies are also less efficient at converting sunlight to vitamin D, so it becomes even more crucial to consume plenty of D-rich foods. In addition, people with dark skin are less efficient at producing vitamin D as they evolved to live in areas with lots of UVB exposure; including extra D in the diet (such as high-vitamin cod liver oil) will be very important for these individuals as well.
In summer, exposing your whole body (assuming you have pale, untanned skin) to direct sunlight for 30 minutes will result in the production of 10,000-20,000 IUs of vitamin D. There are natural mechanisms in place to ensure you do not produce excess vitamin D, regardless of sunburn (though obviously sunburn should be avoided). When on the beach, use a hat, protective clothing, and an umbrella to avoid burning and drink plenty of fluids to replenish lost electrolytes (homemade ginger ale is a great beach beverage!). I would not recommend most commercial sunscreens, and definitely not baby oil (which is a petroleum by-product). Try a safer brand of sunscreen like California Baby SPF 30+. Of course, sun over-exposure may cause premature wrinkling, sun spots on the skin, and other pesky side-effects. So use common sense, listen to your body, and enjoy your summer!
For a great article on treating sunburn naturally, click here.
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