Published on April 28, 2023
Launching into May’s Sunshine Month – New, individualized recommendations are based on skin type, replacing the message of the last few decades which has shunned the sun, saying to cover up and beware of its harms
Key Points
- Individuals with darker skin are at lower risk for skin cancer but higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, while those with lighter skin have a higher tendency to burn and a higher risk of skin cancer, yet sun avoidance will require vitamin D supplementation
- Australia (2023) has become the first country to provide guidelines for sun exposure based on skin type, risk of skin cancer, and risk of vitamin D deficiency, officially recommending increased sun exposure for darker skinned people
- Calculate your risk of having low vitamin D status based on supplementation, sunshine and UVB exposure; take the Vitamin D Deficiency Risk Assessment Quiz today!
Current public health recommendations have advised against sunshine exposure because it has been associated with an increased risk for skin cancer. While true for people with fair skin and a history of repeated sun burns, for the majority of the population, sensible sunshine exposure (in proper doses, without burning) has a positive impact on health and may protect against disease, even helping people live longer.
Australia is the First Country to Update Sun Exposure Recommendations based on Skin Type
Last May, during Sunshine Month, we covered information shared in a webinar presentation by the World Health Organization. In this presentation, Dr. Rachel Neale discussed the benefits of sunshine exposure, most notably the production of vitamin D, with an emphasis on how the balance of benefits and harms differs by skin type. She pointed out how those with darker skin are at lower risk for skin cancer but higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, while those with lighter skin have a higher tendency to burn and a higher risk of skin cancer, yet sun avoidance will require vitamin D supplementation.
In this same presentation, Dr. David Whiteman helped to clarify why there is such a difference, stating that darker skin “renders an SPF equivalent to about 60 or more.”
Based on this data, Australia is now recommending updated sunshine exposure guidelines!
Australia (2023) has become the first country to provide guidelines for sun exposure based on skin type, officially recommending increased sun exposure for darker skinned people.
Published at the end of March, 2023, these recommendations revolve around a risk-benefit scenario based on an individual’s skin type. After 50 years of sun exposure advice being based on white Caucasian skin, this individualized approach to sunshine recommendations is a huge step forward! The recommendations are endorsed by the Cancer Council Australia, Skin Cancer College Australasia, Australasian College of Dermatologists, Healthy Bones Australia, The Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Melanoma Patients Australia, and MS Australia.
Vitamin D Status Can be an Indicator of Having Received Sufficient Sun Exposure
According to the new position statement
“Avoiding the sun and using dietary sources and/or vitamin D supplements to meet vitamin D requirements may seem an attractive solution. However, exposure to UV radiation may have benefits independently of vitamin D, particularly for the immune system, with adequate vitamin D status being an indicator of having received sufficient sun exposure to obtain other benefits. Further, exposing the eyes to longer wavelengths in sunlight reduces the risk of myopia, influences circadian rhythm, and improves sleep and mood. Aside from the direct benefits of sunlight, spending time outdoors facilitates physical activity, which plays a vital role in maintaining health and well-being. Thus completely avoiding sun exposure is not optimal for health.”
The body is designed to produce vitamin D in the skin upon exposure to UVB radiation from sunshine. The vitamin D level is therefore often used as a measurement for adequate sun exposure, and especially for those who don’t supplement with vitamin D, a vitamin D deficiency can also indicate “sunshine deficiency.” However, it is important to keep in mind that there are many benefits to sunshine exposure beyond vitamin D!
The new recommendations are tailored according to unique differences between three specific groups, based on skin type, risk of skin cancer, and risk of vitamin D deficiency. Those at high risk of skin cancer (individuals with very pale skin and/or olive/pale brown skin but with other risk factors) are advised to be more cautious with sunshine exposure and increase intake of vitamin D with diet and/or supplements. Those at low risk of skin cancer (individuals with constitutively dark skin) are advised to spend more time outdoors when the UV index is 3 or higher, with ample skin exposed. They suggest using sun protection only if spending extended amounts of time in the sun, after first exposing the skin without protection, making sure not to burn. Individuals in between these two groups, with an intermediate risk of skin cancer (such as those with olive or pale brown skin and no other risk factors), are advised be more cautious and tailor their sun protection according to the UV index and time in the sun.
Know Your Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency based on Skin Type and UVB Exposure
Most people do not get enough sunshine or UVB exposure to contribute much to vitamin D status, however, there are some people who spend extended time outdoors in the mid-day sun or regularly use UVB devices. These vitamin D inputs do contribute significantly to vitamin D status and can help individuals avoid low levels of vitamin D. In fact, more than 50% of GrassrootsHealth participants who do not take a vitamin D supplement but regularly use indoor tanning devices have a vitamin D level of 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/L) or higher.
GrassrootsHealth used data such as this, along with vitamin D supplement data and other risk factors that contribute to vitamin D deficiency, to create a simple quiz that anyone can take and use to educate themselves on individual factors that contribute to vitamin D status.
Calculate your risk of having a low vitamin D status. Take the Vitamin D Deficiency Risk Assessment Quiz (Beta)* to assess your risk level. Scoring is intended to determine if an individual has a low, moderate, or high risk of having a vitamin D level below 40 ng/ml.
Our 7th Annual Sunshine Month Starts May 1 with the Release of Our New eBook! – Be sure to follow us and help get this message out
Help get the word out about this important update to sunshine exposure recommendations. Everyone needs to understand that universal sun avoidance policies do not fit for all individuals and skin types; the balance of risks and benefits of sunlight exposure should be based on individualized factors, and following these new recommendations can make a big difference in our health.
Measuring Your Level is Important… Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?
The only way to know is to test your levels! Testing versus blind supplementation is essential to know for sure if what you are taking is the right amount for you. Once you test your vitamin D (and other levels) to know where you are NOW, you can account for any upcoming changes in lifestyle over the coming months and adjust your intake to reach (or maintain) your targets.
Measure your:
- Vitamin D
- Magnesium PLUS Elements
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- hsCRP
- HbA1c
- TSH
- Type 1 Diabetes Autoantibodies
Did you know that each of the above can be measured at home using a simple blood spot test? As part of our ongoing research project, you can order your home blood spot test kit to get your levels, followed by education and steps to take to help you reach your optimal target levels. Start by enrolling and ordering your kit to measure each of the above important markers, and make sure you are getting enough of each to support better mood and wellbeing!
Create your custom home test kit today. Take steps to improve the status of each of these measurements to benefit your overall health. With measurement you can then determine how much is needed and steps to achieve your goals. You can also track your own intakes, symptoms and results to see what works best for YOU.
Enroll in D*action and Test Your Levels Today!
How Can You Use this Information for YOUR Health?
Having and maintaining healthy vitamin D and other nutrient levels can help improve your health now and for your future. Measuring is the only way to make sure you are getting enough!
STEP 1 Order your at-home blood spot test kit to measure vitamin D and other nutrients of concern to you, such as omega-3s, magnesium, essential and toxic elements (zinc, copper, selenium, lead, cadmium, mercury); include hsCRP as a marker of inflammation or HbA1c for blood sugar health
STEP 2 Answer the online questionnaire as part of the GrassrootsHealth study
STEP 3 Using our educational materials and tools (such as our dose calculators), assess your results to determine if you are in your desired target range or if actions should be taken to get there
STEP 4 After 3-6 months of implementing your changes, re-test to see if you have achieved your target level(s)
