Unfortunately, many people are scared of the sun having the belief that the sun causes skin cancer. It is not the sun itself that causes skin cancer, it’s SUNBURN that can lead to skin cancer. The sun is actually really good for us. We need sun exposure to make Vitamin D which can increase protection against various cancers. The key is to avoid overexposure causing sunburn. In fact, gradual exposure to the sun leading to a suntan without burning acts as a natural form of sunscreen itself by increasing the melanin in our skin. As we increase the amount of melanin in our skin, it lengthens the amount of exposure to the sun before we begin to burn. The amount of melanin in our skin also determines our body’s capacity to produce Vitamin D from ultraviolet light exposure.
So, before you rush to put on sunscreen, first take 10-20 minutes to allow your skin to soak up the sun and make some Vitamin D! Getting healthy sun exposure from noon until 2 p.m., when the UVB rays are the strongest, will help your body obtain the highest level of Vitamin D in the shortest amount of time.
If you want to kill two birds with one stone, take a 10-20 minute walk out in the sun after eating your lunch. You’ll lower your post meal glucose levels while also increasing your Vitamin D levels!
Erin Crisp, PA-C