Is there a valid concern about using sunscreens? Yes! Most people are deficient in Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and has been found to help minimize the chance for developing some cancers. It is very difficult to get enough Vitamin D from one’s diet. The sun helps convert precursors of our needed Vitamin D by creating a chemical reaction in the skin. Unfortunately some people are using this as an argument to allow themselves to sunbathe or not use sunscreen.

Sun exposure contributes to more than 90% of the aged appearance of the facial skin. It also is the direct cause of skin cancer, more than thirty years after exposure. Current sun exposure decreases the response of the skin’s immune cells today to fight the ultraviolet-induced DNA damage of your cells that was created decades ago by those sunburns and suntans. The prevalence of skin cancer, including fatal melanoma and other type of sun-induced skin cancers continues to rise world-wide. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology is against unprotected sun exposure and suntan parlors.

As Vitamin D is so important, we now are recommending, based on recent discussions by Vitamin D experts, that all my patients consume between 1,000 and 2,000 International Units (IUs)  of Vitamin D3 per day. There is some concern that this may even be too low and some are advocating higher doses. Please discuss this with your medical doctor to ensure that you are not predisposed to kidney stones. A blood test can check for the level and guide the treatment dose. The American Academy of Pediatrics has just increased their recommendation that children no longer take 200 IUs but should take 400 IUs of Vitamin D3.

Remember, you must take the D3 form, not other types of vitamin D, for it to be effective. So continue to use common sense, wear sunscreen, protective clothing and avoid the brightest parts of the day if possible, but take enough Vitamin D3 and enjoy your outdoor experiences!

At The New York Aesthetic Consultants, LLP we are dedicated to keeping your skin healthy and young looking. For more skin care advice and a professional consultation on how you can make your skin look more refreshed contact our Patient Coordinator, Karin Mora at 212-593-1818.