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Sunscreen and Vitamin D deficiency

Sunscreen is a good thing to have around in the summer, but it must be used correctly. Remember that sunscreen will not keep you from getting sunburn if you are out in the sun for hours and hours, it just delays the time that it takes for the burn to start. Also, research is indicating that it may simply be excessive sun exposure, and not sunburn itself, that leads to skin cancer and wrinkles.

Apply sunscreen to dry skin, and put it on 30 minutes before going into the sun. The ingredients take that much time to become active.

Apply sunscreen using the two-finger rule. Squeeze sunscreen on your middle and index fingers, the full length of each. Apply that two-finger amount to each area: head, neck, and face; each arm; upper back; lower back; upper front torso; lower front torso; right upper leg and thigh; left upper leg and thigh; left lower leg and foot; right lower leg and foot. That's about twice as much sunscreen as most people use, but that's what it takes.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours, and immediately after swimming or any activity that has you sweating.

Don't use expired sunscreen. Every bottle has an expiration date. Throw it away when it's expired because it does you no good at all then.

Be sure to use a lip balm with SPF , and moisturize your skin after sun exposure. Use a moisturizer with vitamin E and aloe vera for best longterm results.

Remember that sunscreen may inhibit your body's ability to produce vitamin D in sunlight. It is a good idea to either build up your exposure to the sun so that you can get 20 minutes a day WITHOUT sunscreen and without sunburn, or to take supplements containing vitamin D. Cod liver oil is another good thing to take year-round for vitamin D and for the alpha-3 fatty acids in it. (See this 1995 Australian study for another view on sunscreen and vitamin D deficiency.)

Last update: 4/17/2006; 10:43:38 PM.