The Effect of Regular Sunscreen Use on Vitamin D Levels in an Australian Population

Vitamin D Production after UVB Exposure Depends on Baseline Vitamin D and Total Cholesterol but Not on Skin Pigmentation

“…Furthermore, a study of Rockell et al (2008) found that only facultative skin color is a determinant of vitamin D production and claims that constitutive skin type is of no significant importance. In addition, Marks et al (1995) reported no significant relations between skin type and vitamin D production. There is an obvious lack of agreement about the role of skin pigmentation in vitamin D production after UVB exposure, and skin pigmentation was not measured in any of the studies.…”

Photoprotection and vitamin D status: A study on awareness, knowledge and attitude towards sun protection in general population from Kuwait, and its relation with vitamin D levels

“…This idea was notably more common in males than in females. Seven hundred and ninety-nine (76.53%) of the participants agreed that sunscreen application lead to the danger of not getting enough vitamin D. Lastly, to the question regarding the source of information about the relation between sun protection and vitamin D production,716 (68.58%) of the participants replied that their source of information was the mass media (73.27% in female vs. 61.70% in male), 20.88% of the participants stated that their information was given by family or friends (22.06% in females vs. 19.15% in males), 19.54% got their information through a health professional (18.46% in female subjects vs. 21.04% in male subjects) and 9.00% said they have no distinct source (9.50% in female subjects vs. 8.27% in male subjects). Participants who assumed that sun protection might cause vitamin D deficiency reported a significantly lower incidence of sunscreen use.…”

“…According to our results we assume that sunscreen use does not really influence vitamin D production in a population setting. Marks et al [19] found no difference in 25OHD between sunscreen users and placebo in a randomized controlled trial of 7 months duration.…”

Are we really dying for a tan?

“…Advice aimed at reducing the frequency of episodes of sunburn may have the net effect of reducing the population's mean exposure to sunlight. For example, in one study the use of sunscreens was shown to reduced vitamin D concentrations 23. No population data are available on long term trends in exposure to sunlight in Britain to confirm that such a reduction has taken place.…”