The risks and benefits of sun exposure 2016

Abstract

Public health authorities in the United States are recommending that men, women and children reduce their exposure to sunlight, based on concerns that this exposure will promote skin cancer. On the other hand, data show that increasing numbers of Americans suffer from vitamin D deficiencies and serious health problems caused by insufficient sun exposure. The body of science concerning the benefits of moderate sun exposure is growing rapidly, and is causing a different perception of sun/UV as it relates to human health. Melanoma and its relationship to sun exposure and sunburn is not adequately addressed in most of the scientific literature. Reports of favorable health outcomes related to adequate serum 25(OH)D concentration or vitamin D supplementation have been inappropriately merged, so that benefits of sun exposure other than production of vitamin D are not adequately described. This review of recent studies and their analyses consider the risks and benefits of sun exposure which indicate that insufficient sun exposure is an emerging public health problem. This review considers the studies that have shown a wide range health benefits from sun/UV exposure. These benefits include among others various types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer disease/dementia, myopia and macular degeneration, diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The message of sun avoidance must be changed to acceptance of non-burning sun exposure sufficient to achieve serum 25(OH)D concentration of 30 ng/mL or higher in the sunny season and the general benefits of UV exposure beyond those of vitamin D.

Analysis of prognostic factors for melanoma patients

“…Previous studies have shown that more than 40% of people got sunburnt during their holiday. It is worth mentioning that sunburns are associated with a doubling of the risk of melanoma because of the development of mutations in melanocytes (9). Ultraviolet rays cause mutations in skin cells and an accumulation of cancer-causing mutations leads to more cases of cancer in older compared to younger people.…”

Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Sunscreens: Efficacy Evaluation, Melanoma Incidences and Very Low to Very High Sun Protection Factor

“…The potential shortcomings of this study, including lack of statistical significance [4,12], difference in use pattern [12,13] between the US (mainly for intentional, intermittent sun exposure) and Australia (mainly for regular, non-intentional sun exposure), as well as inconsistencies in site [14] between sunscreen application (only to the face and upper extremities) and melanoma-occurring sites (over the whole body), have been discussed. It was reported that for the efficacy evaluation of sunscreens, the gold standard of double-blind, randomly controlled clinical studies cannot be carried out because of ethical concerns [4].…”

“…Apparently based on a sun avoidance policy, broad-spectrum sunscreens have been recommended in the United States (US) as an adjunct to help prevent sunburns, skin cancers and premature aging (i.e., photoaging) for persons older than 6 months, even on cloudy days [1]. In view of reports that daily exposure to mild or moderate sunlight may not have noticeable long-term adverse effects on skin aging [2], skin aging may be mainly caused by the intrinsic nutritional factor [2], and such an exposure may also provide numerous potentially important health benefits [3][4][5][6][7], Chiou [8] recently suggested that in our daily lives we may not need to use sunscreen and other sun protection methods, such as seeking shade, wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and broad-brimmed hats unless one is to be exposed to potentially sunburn-causing sunlight. In this regard it is of interest to note that subtropical Australia and New Zealand, with the highest melanoma incidence rates in the world, are probably the only two countries to date to adopt the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on a sun protection program that recommend use of sunscreens only when the solar UV Index is ≥ 3 [8 -10].…”

An open‐label clinical trial assessing the efficacy and safety of Bend Skincare Anti‐Aging Formula on minimal erythema dose in skin

“…However, increasing numbers of Americans suffer from vitamin D deficiencies and serious health problems caused by insufficient sun exposure necessary for endogenous vitamin D synthesis. In addition, sunscreens reduce vitamin D production, prompting recommendations to warn about vitamin D deficiency associated with their use . For these reasons alone, vitamin D is considered an important nutrient for inclusion in dietary supplements aimed at photoprotection.…”

“…In addition, sunscreens reduce vitamin D production, prompting recommendations to warn about vitamin D deficiency associated with their use. 49 For these reasons alone, vitamin D is considered an important nutrient for inclusion in dietary supplements aimed at photoprotection. However, vitamin D also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects.…”