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 answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Robert Peppercornanswered
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.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Randy Bakeranswered
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.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Randy Baker commented
Holistic Medicine 42 years experience
Provided original answer
More on the benefits of (intelligent) sun exposure: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/09/29/sun-exposure-vitamin-d-production-benefits.aspx
Nov 23, 2012

Dr. Christopher Scottanswered
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.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jan 7, 2019
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