 Without a second thought, getting exposed to the sun is considered an inevitable part of our daily lives. Simply getting your online shopping deliveries by the front porch or leaving the house for school or work exposes you to the sun’s UV rays. Generally, we all need the sun to keep our bones and muscles healthy, since the most effective and efficient way to maintain optimal Vitamin D levels is through sun exposure! However, a wide variety of factors should be considered when determining what is considered a healthy amount of sun exposure. Nevertheless, it is important to remain protected from the sun by using sun-protective products that are proven safe and effective. The Skin MicrobiomeConsidered as the largest organ, your skin protects you from infections and harmful chemicals that can cause damage to your body. Your skin does its job because of the presence of its unique microbiome, which work hand-in-hand to nurture your skin barrier and fight off harmful pathogens from attempting to colonize and cause imbalance. Particularly, your skin microbiome is made up of hundreds of species, with the type and number of microbes dependent on skin area, temperature, humidity, pH level, and lipids. The type and amount of microbe present may also depend on your gender, age, race, and even the season of the year. Your inner forearm and upper buttocks are considered dry areas, while your armpits and inner elbow may be more damp compared to the rest of your body! Additionally, you may become oily on your forehead and side of the nose as these areas have a higher number of sebaceous glands. Like your other organs, a healthy skin ecosystem is nurtured through maintaining diversity. This wonderful diversity can be disrupted through a variety of factors: applying skin and make-up products made with toxic and damaging chemicals, getting excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, taking oral antibiotics, and having immune deficiencies. Changes in the composition of your skin microbiome can lead to a variety of skin conditions, such as eczema, rosacea, and acne. The Impacts of Sun ExposureUV radiation, when excessive, can cause harmful effects to the skin, such as sunburn, premature aging, and precancerous or cancerous lesions.2 The immunosuppressive effects of UV radiation to the cells that recognize pathogens in the most superficial layer of your skin may increase risks of dangerous mutations. Generally, three types of UV radiation exist: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA is harmful as it often triggers aging and hyperpigmentation, while UVB can cause sunburn and DNA mutations.2 The amount of exposure you have to UV radiation greatly depends on the time of day, as well as your location and daily activities. Interestingly, Florida has a UV index of 9 on most days, compared to 7-8 in other states. Farmers and Floridians, who get a lot of sun exposure, often have thick skin, hives, and sunstroke due to high blood calcium and low tissue calcium. Additionally, many of these individuals typically do not consume enough good fats, leading to deficiencies in essential fatty acids and Vitamin D. Hence, understanding the effects of sun exposure to your health and considering its role in causing disease are important aspects to consider as you make conscious decisions for your optimal well-being. Vitamin D From The SunA hormone that can easily be nurtured in the skin following exposure to the sun’s UV rays is Vitamin D. Although a variety of Vitamin D supplements are available in the market, getting it from the sun still takes precedence in maintaining optimal levels when you are healthy and without conditions that may be exacerbated or worsened with exposure to sunlight. Simply put, Vitamin D supplements help safely increase Vitamin D levels in the blood, yet these are not as effective or efficient as the sun.1 Since it is essential for your body to function optimally, deficient levels of Vitamin D may put you at greater risk of developing diseases that can significantly take a toll on your overall well-being. Skin exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight creates a chemical reaction that converts molecules in the skin to Vitamin D3, which is the active counterpart of Vitamin D.7 However, the efficiency of this reaction vary depending on the geographical area, season, time, and person’s skin type. This means that vitamin D synthesis is more efficient when you live near the equator since you are able to receive greater amounts and durations of sunlight throughout the year. Additionally, lighter skin tones may require less exposure to sunlight than people with darker complexions to produce similar amounts of vitamin D since these individuals produce less melanin, a sun-protective pigment that is abundant in people with darker skin. Sun-Protective ProductsProtecting your skin from excessive and harmful exposure to the sun should be considered every time you leave the house. Widely-known photoprotective agents include sunscreens, which may create either a physical barrier to reflect light or a chemical barrier which acts to absorb light within its protective layer, preventing harmful rays from causing damage to your skin’s barrier.2 When using physical sunscreens, a thicker coat increases the degree of reflected light, thereby increasing protection from the sun. However, this may cause white casts and will make your skin tone look uneven. Sunscreens should be applied in a uniform layer 15 minutes before getting exposed to the sun, water, or sweat. Reapplying your sunscreen every 2 hours is also important to stay protected. Aside from sunscreen, your clothes and accessories can actually protect you from the sun, especially when you wear dark and loose-fitting outfits paired with your favorite hats and sunglasses! Wearing makeup or lotions with sun-protective ingredients also offers added protection. USF ointment, enriched with essential fatty acids and mixed with raw aloe, is an effective alternative in preventing burning and peeling after excessive sun exposure. The use of chlorophyll ointment to soothe and heal skin burns is another excellent option to naturally relieve discomfort and promote recovery. It is important to remember that you need a small amount of regular, unprotected sun exposure before blocking excess. Hence, identifying strategies such as the time of day to receive the right amount of sun exposure can help nurture your body’s vitamin D levels! Are Sunscreens Toxic?Using sunscreen before leaving the house has become a routine, especially with the prevalence of product advertisements and recommendations all over social media. However, the safety associated with their use still remains a concern. Toxicity from sun products may cause endocrine (hormone) problems, skin or eye irritation, and oxidative stress that may lead to cell damage and cancer.3 Since UV filters from sunscreens are also able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), risks of developing neurotoxicity are increased.4 This is a sign for you to discover non-toxic and clinically-proven safe sunscreen that prevents you from getting exposed to harmful ingredients while protecting your skin from damage caused by sun exposure. Check this website to learn more about products that are safe and offer effective sun protection. Foods That Help Protect You From Sun DamageWhen not using topical photoprotective agents, your skin’s defense against the sun primarily rests on your body’s protective mechanisms. As your skin’s antioxidant ability decreases with increasing exposure to UV rays, nurturing its capacity and boosting its effects is vital to maintain your skin’s defense against damage from your environment.6 This is done through eating fruits and vegetables that are rich in phytonutrients, such as tocopherols and ascorbates. Taking oral supplements such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and polyphenols can have added protection against the sun’s damaging UV rays.5 Drinking fermented milk that contains lactic acid bacteria may also help in boosting DNA repair and improve your skin’s immune defenses after UVB damage.5 The Naturopathic ApproachProtecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays involves a multifactorial and dynamic approach that not only considers the amount of time you should be exposed to maintain healthy Vitamin D levels, but also the use of safe and effective products and ingredients to nurture well-being. When exploring your options, it is best to talk to your naturopathic physician to guide you as you make conscious decisions for your health. Discover the naturopathic approach to obtain the benefits of sun exposure, while staying protected and safe from its harmful effects.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your licensed naturopathic physician or other licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information. REFERENCES:
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THE BLOG AT NATURAL PATH TO WELLNESSAuthorSNatural Path to Wellness values community education and welcomes contributions from writers with a background in Naturopathic Medicine, natural health and wellness, herbalism, homeopathy, Nature Cure, and more. Disclosures & Policies: This and other blog posts may contain affiliate links. Please view our disclosures page for more information.
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