The Potential Drawback to Sun Protection

As much at it is helpful to guard against a painful sunburn or to even protect against some of the visible signs of aging we see in our skin in the long-term, there can be a drawback to staying inside, always being covered up, and perhaps over using sunblocks when exposed to the sun. And that is the risk of Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin crucial to our overall health, aiding in the function of our immune system, fostering healthy bone and muscle growth, and even in an improved and more stabilized mood. Also, studies have shown the Vitamin D's possible role in helping to prevent, and maybe even treat cancers, including skin cancer. While we can obtain Vitamin D both from natural and fortified food sources and through taking supplements, many experts agree that the best and most efficient way to get the optimum amount of Vitamin D is to absorb it from sunlight through the skin.

With the rise of both the use of sunscreens and also the emerging research about sunlight's damaging effects to the skin, less and less people ever venture outside without wearing SPF. And many medical professionals theorize that this a major contributor to the almost universal Vitamin D deficiency they are seeing across humanity, particularly in the Northern hemisphere.

So how might we find the balance between getting enough sunlight for our Vitamin D stores but without causing painful damage to our skin? Well, one solution might be, of course, to skip wearing your sunscreen when your planning to only go outside in the dimmest parts of the day-- early in the morning and just prior to sunset. Also, depending on where you live and the time of year, simply exposing your bare face and hands to sunlight for as little as 40 mins can give yourself your recommended daily dose of Vitamin D in sunny climates. Obviously, for cloudier locations the amount of time of exposure needed to obtain these results increases, and also the amount of Vitamin D as you age increases significantly once you've reached age 50 or older. So it is always ideal to also incorporate Vitamin D into your diet if not also your supplement regime while still letting your skin soak up some rays,

When considering your overall health and the health of your skin, the concept of balance is always key to getting and maintaining the best results, and the balance between healthy sun exposure and sun protection is no exception. For more information on this balance and why it's important, check out this article from Insider Magazine here.