Hard to know what’s good for us and what isn’t, even in summer.
Very often, a product praised for virtues is criticized because a new study contradicts its benefits.
So how do we know?
Contents
How to Balance Sunscreen and Vitamin D?
A recent study confirms that sunscreen is not without effect because it blocks the production of vitamin D.
Let’s see in the light of science whether sun protection is useful or not to decide for yourself whether or not to use it.
Study biases
Studies conducted by Richard Weller, a dermatologist at the University of Edinburgh, and Pelle Lindqvist claim that sunscreens are unnecessary and even dangerous because they block the synthesis of vitamin D and nitric oxide activated during tan.
Richard Weller is also a medical consultant for the company Relaxsol, which markets unique sun protection since it allows you to tan in complete safety without blocking the production of vitamin D according to their business arguments.
Slight conflict of interest insight…
For his part, Lindqvist is a researcher in obstetrics and gynecology at the Karolinska Institute.
In 2016, he was behind a publication of Journal of Internal Medicine titled:
“Avoidance of sun exposure as a risk factor for major causes of death: a competing risk analysis of the Melanoma in Southern Sweden cohort“
In this study, the researchers questioned 29,518 Swedish women between 1990 and 1992, asking them about their exposure to the sun, their consumption of alcohol and tobacco, their level of education, their marital status, and their children.
4 questions were addressed directly to the practice of tanning:
– How often do you expose yourself to the sun in the summer?
– Do you sunbathe in winter, especially in the mountains?
– Do you sunbathe in a UV cabin?
– Are you going on vacation abroad to swim and sunbathe?
These women have been followed for two decades and researchers have collected data regarding their possible illnesses or causes of death.
Their conclusion is as follows:
“ The longer life expectancy amongst women with active sun exposure habits was related to a decrease in CVD and noncancer/non-CVD mortality, causing the relative contribution of death due to cancer to increase. “
Clearly, women frequently exposing themselves to the sun showed a lower rate of heart disease and the observed mortality could not be attributed to cancer.
But the death rate from cancer has increased, which they explain by a longer life.
If you live longer, you are more likely to develop cancer.
One can doubt their methodology to arrive at this conclusion, especially since major questions do not appear in their study:
– What precautionary measures have been adopted during tanning sessions?
– Did they use a hat or sun protection?
Sun and blood pressure
The author also mentions the research conducted by Richard Weller which involved monitoring 300,000 US citizens to assess their blood pressure according to their age and skin type.
Preliminary data suggests that people living in hot, sunny climates have lower blood pressure than others.
But again, it is difficult to say anything since this study has not been validated and published.
However, we can note that these conclusions are in line with many other studies that have demonstrated the relationship between sun exposure and better-controlled blood pressure.
In the end, the author claims that sun protection blocks UV rays and therefore the synthesis of vitamin D.
Does your skin still produce vitamin d when using sunscreen?
Ask someone who has gotten a strong sunburn despite being screened and you will understand the obvious bias of this research.
The effectiveness of sunscreen is measured in SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which is a measurement scale of UVA UVB blocking.
The higher the index, the more UVB rays are blocked.
| SFP | UVB % |
| 15 | -93 |
| 30 | -97 |
| 50 | -98 |
For best results, apply 2mg / cm2 every two hours.
But most people do not follow these recommendations and do not respect the renewal of the skin application.
What are the consequences of misusing sunscreen?
Even with the regular application of the cream, a high level of solar radiation reaches the skin.
Studies show that despite UV protection, adequate vitamin D production occurs due to the imperfection of sunscreens and user usage errors.
Although UVB is what triggers the synthesis of vitamin D, it is also the cause of damage to the skin, including carcinogenesis, the cause of cancer.
Also, be very careful when reading articles questioning the effectiveness of sun protection during the summer season.
They are only looking for click and buzz.
You have to balance the positive and negative effects of sun exposure, on the one hand, the production of vitamin D, on the other disease risks.
Can you get vitamin d deficiency when wearing sunscreen?
Actually no, you can’t.
Science teaches us that UVA and UVB rays lower blood pressure and increase vitamin D levels.
So you no longer have to escape the sun but learn to manage the tan with all the necessary precautions.
And for that, you just have to follow this little guide:
1 – Skin color
Melanin, the pigment in the skin that protects us from solar radiation, is also responsible for our skin color.
If you have low pigment, the use of a UV screen is essential to avoid sunburn and the risk of cancer that goes with it.
If your skin is more pigmented, you are less exposed to sunburn but it will take longer to produce vitamin D.
Sunscreen is recommended because people with dark skin are also at risk of epidermal disorders like hyperpigmentation, and excessive production of melanin.
2 – Daily protection
It is recommended to wear a hat and protective clothing in addition to the chosen sun protection.
You shouldn’t avoid the sun, but above all avoid the slightest sunburn and avoid tanning booths.
3 – Substances to avoid
It is highly recommended not to use products containing oxybenzone and parabens to favor sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Healthiest sunscreens in 2021
- Sunscreen without oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octocrylene
A mineral face and body UV cream, SPF 50, a product free from fragrance, parabens, avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate.
Non-greasy, this cream is relatively fluid to spread easily and leaves no fragrance.
It perfectly meets the protection standards chosen according to your skin type and will prevent you from sunburn!
Sunscreen Spf 50 (#ad)
- Octocrylene free sunscreen
Is octocrylene safe in sunscreen?
Octocrylene is an allergen that shouldn’t be found in sunscreens.
The composition of this cream is flawless due to its mineral formula, oxybenzone, octinoxate, gluten, cruelty, and paraben-free.
Organic Sunscreen SPF 70 (#ad)
- Hypoallergenic face sunscreen
A hypoallergenic face sunscreen, free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, gluten, cruelty, and paraben.
It offers an SPF 50 and its creamy texture n
Face Sunscreen SPF 50 (#ad)
- Baby mineral sunscreen
An SPF 50 for a 100% zinc oxide active formula free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, gluten, and all common allergens.
This sunscreen offers excellent protection for the youngest while being fluid and fragrance-free.
Child sunscreen (#ad)
Why are sunscreens so expensive?
Of course, these sunscreens belong to a specific category that justifies their price.
It’s easy to find more affordable sunscreens in supermarkets, but do they contain questionable ingredients?
Are they effective? Are they THE sunscreen to avoid?
This year, tan safely while stabilizing your blood pressure and making your vitamin D … knowingly.
Have a nice summer everyone!
How to treat sunburn naturally?
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