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The article recommends: Asked for a general recommendation, Dr. Holick suggests going outside in summer unprotected by sunscreen (except for the face, which sh

The article recommends: Asked for a general recommendation, Dr. Holick suggests going outside in summer unprotected by sunscreen (except for the face, which should always be protected) wearing minimal clothing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. two or three times a week for 5 to 10 minutes. Slathering skin with sunscreen with an SPF of 30 will reduce exposure to ultraviolet-B rays by 95 to 98 percent. But if you make enough vitamin D in your skin in summer, it can meet the body’s needs for the rest of the year, Dr. Holick said. Personally I'd rather take a supplement than risk skin cancer later in life from sun exposure. There is definitely a tradeoff between the natural technique of acquiring vitamin D and the safe way. Getting vitamin D via sunlight on the skin was safer when we had more ozone and fewer ultraviolet rays.

mrduncan 16y ago
Does 5-10 minutes 2-3 times per week actually represent a significant cancer risk?
- jacquesm 16y ago
  Just in case that wasn't a rhetorical question, no. Skin cancer is as much a pre-disposition affair as it is induced by UV radiation, and people with far higher exposure levels are still not at a significant risk for skin cancer unless their genetic make-up is such that they are very prone to contracting it. If you have extremely light skin, have freckles (especially darker ones), have red hair or if there is a history of skin cancer in your family better be careful though. Otherwise, enjoy the sun but don't overdo it.
  - mrduncan 16y ago
    Bad phrasing on my part, it was a serious question. It seems to me that a few minutes in the sun every couple of days would be very unlikely to have any long term impacts (obviously, I'm not an expert though).
- aw3c2 16y ago
  If that was the case then humanity would be doomed. The sun is good and we need it. Just not too much.
ars 16y ago
Actually ozone levels have recovered, and vitamin D prevents skin cancer.

mrduncan 16y ago

Does 5-10 minutes 2-3 times per week actually represent a significant cancer risk?

jacquesm 16y ago
Just in case that wasn't a rhetorical question, no. Skin cancer is as much a pre-disposition affair as it is induced by UV radiation, and people with far higher exposure levels are still not at a significant risk for skin cancer unless their genetic make-up is such that they are very prone to contracting it. If you have extremely light skin, have freckles (especially darker ones), have red hair or if there is a history of skin cancer in your family better be careful though. Otherwise, enjoy the sun but don't overdo it.
- mrduncan 16y ago
  Bad phrasing on my part, it was a serious question. It seems to me that a few minutes in the sun every couple of days would be very unlikely to have any long term impacts (obviously, I'm not an expert though).
aw3c2 16y ago
If that was the case then humanity would be doomed. The sun is good and we need it. Just not too much.

ars 16y ago

Actually ozone levels have recovered, and vitamin D prevents skin cancer.