U.S. doctors online nowAsk doctors free
A 32-year-old member asked:

Sun gives vitamin d but damages skin due to uv rays. should i avoid the sun or not?

3 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Peppercorn
Dermatology 45 years experience
Sunlight: Use sun protection as much as possible without wrecking your life enjoyment. You will get enough vitamin d from a healthy diet..
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Randy Baker
Holistic Medicine 42 years experience
DO NOT avoid but...: Sun exposure not only increases vitamin d but has other proven benefits unrelated to vitamin d. Uvb produces vitamin d and uva increases cancer risk- so avoid the sun when uva predominates. Precise instructions on how to be in the sun safely are at http://articles.Mercola.Com/sites/articles/archive/2012/03/26/maximizing-vitamin-d-exposure.Aspx. For info on the benefits of sun exposure see comment:.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Randy Baker
Dr. Randy Baker commented
Holistic Medicine 42 years experience
Provided original answer
Nov 23, 2012
Dr. Christopher Scott
Dermatology 20 years experience
Be sun safe: Always protect your face, such as with an spf30 or greater moisturizer each morning. Use sun protection more broadly if you will be outside more than 20 minutes. Vitamin d production is sufficient with modest sun exposure in most individuals. The face should be protected daily, as skin cancer and wrinkles predominate there.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Related questions

A 25-year-old female asked:
If i'm not in the sun a lot, do I have to take vitamin C for my skin?
1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
A 27-year-old male asked:
Does using a facial toner containing vitamin c make your skin super sensitive to the sun?
1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
A 47-year-old member asked:
How do you get a healthy dose of vitamin d in the sun without getting skin cancer?
2 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in
Last updated Jan 7, 2019

Disclaimer:

Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.