Finally! With osteoporosis and Vit D deficiency on the rise, a logical, nuanced perspective is long overdue. Our skin is an organ and slathering chemicals all over it - every day, "even if you are going to be in a basement all day" is unreasonable and harmful guidance (& yes I did hear that recommendation by a dermatologist).
I was very excited to see this topic. My vitamin D levels have hovered between 28-35 for the past 3 years and I keep getting advice from my primary care doctor to take 1000 IU of vitamin D which unfortunately causes terrible nausea, so I feel like I’m forced to choose between bone health or skin health. 😕 But also I wonder if 2 points below is really enough to trigger supplementing. Have tried lower doses, pills vs gummies vs liquids with the same effect, so have settled on prioritizing certain foods and getting sun exposure. Have been trying to use sunscreen when I’m out midday for long periods like a bike ride (the sun is intense in Southern California!) but otherwise not too religiously so I can get some sun exposure. I’m biracial — half Filipina, half European — so I have more melanin and tan quite a bit but can still burn if I’m not careful. One thing I’ve heard is that folks with darker skin need more sun exposure to produce adequate vitamin D and that a lot of the guidelines about 15 minutes a day are for people with lighter skin. Have you seen more nuanced guidance about the amount of time of sun exposure? What about supplementation during the winter months only? Thanks again for this helpful topic.
This is sooo helpful as I have hued back to more sun exposure, despite my light coloring because I am turning up so vitamin d deficient. I think it’s also a perfect example of something I focus on a lot these days: conflating objectives. We confuse what we’re aiming to do with one overall goal. It’s never that easy as you point out. But we no longer like to focus on nuance. Thank you.
New research shows sunlight triggers nitric oxide release in skin, which may lower blood pressure independently of vitamin D. This effect might explain cardiovascular benefits linked to moderate sun exposure.
I was diagnosed with low Vit D levels (13) about three weeks after a week-long tennis vacation in Jamaica. Of course I wore sunscreen, but the tan I came home with would seem to indicate I got plenty of sun exposure. Are some people just predisposed to low Vit D levels even with plenty of sun exposure? It’s so confusing!
This topic is much-needed. Thank you. I struggle w finding the right balance and try to do the early morning or late sun exposure. I, too, was a baby oil teen. I think that's why I was probably more protective w my children. My then 20 yo daughter was diagnosed with MS in 2024. Her D was 10 when admitted to the hospital w ON. I know they don't know if low vitamin D causes MS or MS causes low vitamin D, but there is a connection as you noted.
Great info. Had no idea about the tiny increase in protection between SPF 50 and 100, etc. Also CVS makes a mineral sunscreen that does not stay white. SPF 50
Finally! With osteoporosis and Vit D deficiency on the rise, a logical, nuanced perspective is long overdue. Our skin is an organ and slathering chemicals all over it - every day, "even if you are going to be in a basement all day" is unreasonable and harmful guidance (& yes I did hear that recommendation by a dermatologist).
I was very excited to see this topic. My vitamin D levels have hovered between 28-35 for the past 3 years and I keep getting advice from my primary care doctor to take 1000 IU of vitamin D which unfortunately causes terrible nausea, so I feel like I’m forced to choose between bone health or skin health. 😕 But also I wonder if 2 points below is really enough to trigger supplementing. Have tried lower doses, pills vs gummies vs liquids with the same effect, so have settled on prioritizing certain foods and getting sun exposure. Have been trying to use sunscreen when I’m out midday for long periods like a bike ride (the sun is intense in Southern California!) but otherwise not too religiously so I can get some sun exposure. I’m biracial — half Filipina, half European — so I have more melanin and tan quite a bit but can still burn if I’m not careful. One thing I’ve heard is that folks with darker skin need more sun exposure to produce adequate vitamin D and that a lot of the guidelines about 15 minutes a day are for people with lighter skin. Have you seen more nuanced guidance about the amount of time of sun exposure? What about supplementation during the winter months only? Thanks again for this helpful topic.
This is sooo helpful as I have hued back to more sun exposure, despite my light coloring because I am turning up so vitamin d deficient. I think it’s also a perfect example of something I focus on a lot these days: conflating objectives. We confuse what we’re aiming to do with one overall goal. It’s never that easy as you point out. But we no longer like to focus on nuance. Thank you.
The SPF explination was really helpful, many things are not linear.
New research shows sunlight triggers nitric oxide release in skin, which may lower blood pressure independently of vitamin D. This effect might explain cardiovascular benefits linked to moderate sun exposure.
Excellent, nuanced advice. Thank you!
I was diagnosed with low Vit D levels (13) about three weeks after a week-long tennis vacation in Jamaica. Of course I wore sunscreen, but the tan I came home with would seem to indicate I got plenty of sun exposure. Are some people just predisposed to low Vit D levels even with plenty of sun exposure? It’s so confusing!
Excellent post ! Thank you !
Thank you, Dr. McBride. Nuance is SO important, and so easy to ignore.
This topic is much-needed. Thank you. I struggle w finding the right balance and try to do the early morning or late sun exposure. I, too, was a baby oil teen. I think that's why I was probably more protective w my children. My then 20 yo daughter was diagnosed with MS in 2024. Her D was 10 when admitted to the hospital w ON. I know they don't know if low vitamin D causes MS or MS causes low vitamin D, but there is a connection as you noted.
Great info. Had no idea about the tiny increase in protection between SPF 50 and 100, etc. Also CVS makes a mineral sunscreen that does not stay white. SPF 50
Sorry, but some of this information is not correct. MIneral sunscreens work MOSTLY by absorbing UV light, not by reflecting.
PLease educate me! I see you are a dermatologist and welcome your input.
happy to do that! Important!!
Great! Can you explain more about mineral sunscreens?
send me an email, and then I can point you to some other information.
GendlerMD@egmd.com
Sure, but it would be helpful to educate here - I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants to understand the nuances of sunscreen that I didn’t mention
I understand that. I use my platform on Instagram to do exactly that. Not sure what you mean??