Study launched into sun exposure thresholds for different skin types

15 August 2012

A new study has been launched to examine the optimum threshold levels for vitamin D and ultraviolet light in different skin types.

Researchers from the University of Manchester said that for the first time they will examine the effects of UV and vitamin D in tandem, rather than in separate studies, to determine the level of sun exposure that will deliver enough vitamin D without over-exposure to UV rays for each type of skin.

Professor Lesley Rhodes of the University of Manchester, who is leading the research, told the BBC: “Vitamin D is the best-known beneficial effect of sunlight whereas there’s no doubt that ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is the major cause of skin cancer…For the first time we’re performing a study to examine those hand in hand, we’re looking at risks and benefits within the same study.”

She said that nationally we don’t have all the information to give people the best advice, particularly because sun warnings are geared towards very fair white-skinned people.

“We need to be giving more advice on healthy levels of sun exposure also to people with the more olivey-white skins, brown skins and black skins, and that’s a major objective of our research,” she added.

She said a lot of useful research had already been done but that “the crux of the threshold levels for skin damage – DNA damage that leads to skin cancer – and the threshold levels for vitamin D synthesis in different skin types” had not been examined so far.

The research will involve two types of study: one in the laboratory giving people simulated sunlight and the other more observational, seeing how people are affected by vitamin D and UV during normal sunlight exposure in their daily lives.

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Skincare, Sunbeds, Tanning

Date: 28 Aug 2012 13:33
Name: The Sunbed Association
Comment: In 2010 seven health organisations, including Cancer Research UK issued a joint advice on vitamin D, which the body gets from natural sunlight. The nutrient keeps bones strong, and protects against conditions like osteoporosis. The guidance was drawn up because it is thought fears about skin cancer have made people too cautious about being in the sun. Cancer Research UK and the National Osteoporosis Society are among the bodies which agree that "little and frequent" spells in summer sunshine several times a week can benefit your health. The experts now say it is fine to go outside in strong sun in the middle of the day, as long as you cover up or apply sunscreen before your skin goes red. Professor Rona Mackie, from the British Association of Dermatologists, said: "Total sun protection with high factor sun cream on all the time is not ideal, in terms of vitamin D levels. Even Australia has changed its policy on this. In January this year the Chief Medical Officer for England said she was concerned that young children and some adults were not getting enough vitamin D. Figures show that up to a quarter of the population has low levels of vitamin D in their blood and the majority of pregnant women do not have sufficient levels of Vitamin D for good health. Modern professional sunbeds provide a measured output at levels that European Standards have approved. The Members of The Sunbed Association work to a robust Code of Practice to ensure that clients tan safely, without burning. It is burning that causes health concerns. Tanning is a natural process and it is important to note that there is no clinical data relating sunbeds and melanoma, only interview based recollections. The relative risk mentioned statistic mentioned has been discredited as not pertaining to commercial indoor tanning, but combining the relative risk of many UV applications, which includes dermatologist’s usage of UV devices with extremely high output. The risk diminishes substantially when professional sunbeds are measured in isolation. It is only when medical devices used in hospitals are included, that the figures rise dramatically. That is entirely misleading and only done to enhance their disingenuous message to attack sunbeds. As long as dermatology organisations continue to lobby to preserve and protect dermatologist’s own use of UV sunbeds to treat cosmetic skin conditions, their lobbying efforts against sunbed usage in professional tanning salons will ultimately continue to be more political than scientific. Humans, like everything on the planet, need UV light to survive. The position that any UV exposure is harmful is becoming more and more antiquated and dangerous. And yet it is core to how dermatologists have lobbied against commercial sunbeds. Combined with misrepresentations about the mixed epidemiology on the potential risks of UV from sunbeds and dismissal of obvious confounding information, dermatology organisations are not on solid ground on this topic. If the public is truly to be served, dermatologists need to work with the professional sunbed community to achieve a balanced message. Dermatology’s current absolute stance on UV exposure is scientifically outdated. Responsible use of a professional sunbed at a salon in membership of The Sunbed Association is perfectly healthy, it’s abuse by silly people that the journalists so enjoy reporting. Call them stupid yes; just don’t confuse them with the millions of responsible users in the UK and Ireland