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TwitThisSunscreen and a Simple Plan
By getting enough vitamin D from the sun in the spring, summer and fall, you may be able to store up a supply to last through the winter, but not if you always use sunscreen. And that's where vitamin D researchers and some other experts disagree.Dermatologists who are focused on preventing skin cancer advise getting D from supplements. Other experts, too, think supplements do the job just as well. But vitamin D experts think we may have gone overboard with sunscreen. While zealously protecting ourselves from wrinkles and skin cancer, they say we're risking more deadly forms of cancer and other diseases. By getting enough sun to increase vitamin D levels, "we could save ten people from death from internal cancers for every one who dies of skin cancer," says Dr. Garland.
Dr. Holick has a simple plan designed to satisfy almost everyone: First, figure out how long it takes your skin to turn pink or show other signs of reaction to the sun. Then spend only one-quarter of that time outdoors without sunscreen (except on your face) several times a week. For most people that adds up to 10 to 15 minutes in the midday sun (unless your skin is very fair and reddens with such brief exposure). African Americans and others with very dark skin may need at least twice the time in the sun.
For best results, expose at least 50 percent of your body, wearing shorts and a T-shirt or a bathing suit, if possible. And when your time is up, protect your skin and slather on the sunscreen!
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