Sun exposure - do you believe it is as bad as they say?

SolidGoaled

Now that I have lost some weight, I would love to have a tiny tan to show off my new legs/face/body and with bathing suit weather finally here, I feel like I am glowing white when I put summer clothes on!

Anyways - would it really be that bad to just get a small amount of sun per day? Maybe 15 minutes on each side? With some sunscreen?

loriannmartin

like with everything moderation. sunshine gives you natural vitamin d....

TourThePast

Anyways - would it really be that bad to just get a small amount of sun per day? Maybe 15 minutes on each side? With some sunscreen?

I clicked on this to say YES it is that bad, I know three people now who have had skin cancer and it was 1. severely life threatening and 2. really REALLY gross.

Then I saw you were going to use sunscreen.

It does protects your skin from a lot of the most harmful radiation, and a certain amount of sun is beneficial. So I won't go into the nasty details of their treatments!

Don't be conned by the "deep tan looks healthy" rubbish, enjoy the sun, and keep using that sunscreen.

EDITED TO ADD: Meant to say, make sure your sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB (so should your sunglasses) and that your sunscreen is at at least SPF 15.

epj78

Actually, you should get 10-20 minutes a day for Vitamin D exposure - but sunscreen it up after that. I've had great luck with the Spray Tan at the tanning salon. Trust me - my Irish/German skin knows the pain of being glowing white!

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2008/06/23/time-in-the-sun-how-much-is-needed-for-vitamin-d?PageNr=1

If you are fair skinned really be careful of burning - if I did the 10 minutes in midday sun they suggest - I'd burn. Yep, I'm that fair!! So I get all my sun in the morning and late afternoon.

Missouwechanged

Being out in the sun helps raise your vitamin D level. As long as you use sunscreen, you can be out in the sun as much as you want unless, of course, you have got a medical reason not to. You should not be afraid of this beautiful star.

mamaredhead

I am the red-hair-freckle-type myself. Just underwent one of those freckle-explosions last week where they just appeared EVERYWHERE. No problem for me. The skin tone between the freckles takes a long time to change from white to beige, hahaha, I am NEVER actually tanned. But that's fine with me.

You just put on half a bottle of sunscreen (joking, but do use it generiously), make sure you don't go tanning from like 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the sun is really frying you. And keep it moderate. You also tan in the shade, it takes longer but it stays on longer and it's not so dangerous.

Skin cancer is NOT pretty, you know ...
I never leave the house without sunscreen on my face.

You will find your way!

MellowGa

I was a lifeguard for year, Wear sun protection I would use Ocean potion or Bananna Boat they both have a non oily kind of Lotion that blocks all kinds of rays, get 30PF.

Getting constantly burn is bad....just some sun is fine, as the second poster said, Moderation, stay away from sun beds.

Natural sun is healthy, but don't get sun poisoning, moderation and a nice light tan is best.

titletown

Sun is your friend, in moderation.

10-15 mins a day if fine as long as you don't burn easily, a light pink is OK from time to time, but never a burn.

America is under an epidemic with Vitamin D deficiency, and natural sunlight is the best way to get vitamin D.

Here is a very informative video on Vitamin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur_yXEUOOx8

Lissaannco

Using the sunscreen is the way to go! Another thing to be cautious of is not getting sun on your face. Women in my family tend to wrinkle A LOT as we age, so I always wear a good moisturizing sunscreen on my face and a hat to keep the sun off! You can always go darker with your foundation to match the rest of you without having those rays cause wrinkles! I usually wear a foundation that is 1 to 2 shades darker in the summer!! Happy Summer! :flowerforyou:

MrsBrit2007

It is as bad as they say. You should be wearing sunscreen every time you're outside to prevent UV damage to you skin, and you'll still be able to get vitamin D.

I have done a lot of research on skin cancer in the past year since a close family member was diagnosed with skin cancer and the facts that I've read have been alarming. One in THREE Caucasians will be diagnosed with skin cancer over the course of their life, and skin cancer is more deadly for people with dark skin pigments. Also, just one bad sunburn increases your risk of developing melanoma later in life.

The most helpful site that I came across was this one: http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2011sunscreen/

And this video has been circulating online for the past month or so: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGG6nCc70Wo&feature=player_embedded

I burn even if I'm in the shade and wearing sunscreen, (I'm a freckly redhead) so I've had to change when I'm in the sun and how I dress in order to avoid too much sun exposure.

So, be sure to wear sunscreen and reapply according to directions and you should be fine!

carlfry

Yes, get a good 20 minutes EVERY day for some NATURAL Vitamin D! After that, sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! You don't want to look like a leather couch and all That's NOT sexy!

ubabe1

I agree with most everyone here...sun is fine in moderation and with sunscreen!! Get a nice healthy natural glow from the sun and try a sunless tanning lotion if you want more. When you apply the suncreen, don't forget about your neck and ears unless you are wearing a hat. :glasses:

TourThePast

Get a nice healthy natural glow from the sun and try a sunless tanning lotion if you want more.

Actually, although it "sounds" healthy, a "nice healthy natural glow" is enough to drastically increase your chances of getting skin cancer.

Of course it's up to each individual to choose what they do, I'm just concerned about the message that a sunscreen is only required if you want more than a "natural glow".

IrishChick71

The sun isn't "bad" for you. Just like alcohol isn't "bad" for you. It's fine in moderation. It lifts you're mood and provides a dose of Vit D....just keep in mind that you can get that dose of vit D in 10-20 min of sun exposure and it doesn't have to be ALL AT ONCE. Use your sunscreen and use it often when outside. People always forget to re-apply and burn. Just be smart about it and don't over do it.

Being a nurse who specialized in MOHS micrographic surgery ( the surgery procedure most used to remove skin cancers of the face and head) and well as a dermatology nurse for 11 years, I can attest to the major increase in dangerous, invasive Melanomas and Squamous cell carcinomas due to tanning bed usuage. I could tell you story after story but I'll save it for now.

BUT ALL dermatologists would prefer the use of sunless tanners over the use of tanning bed hands down. The doctor I worked for use to tell his patients that just 10 visits or less a year increases your risk of skin cancer, particularly Melanoma, to 75%.

Sorry to get on my high horse but it's something I'm passionate about. I've seen to many people disfigured from their own stupidity. As well as too many lives lost because of skin cancer.

If you're fair, You REALLY don't need to go near a tanning bed. PERIOD.

Sunless tanners have really come a long way to I would highly recommemded them over the tannind bed.

ckmama

I don't think sun exposure is a bad thing, too much of anything is a bad thing. I love the way the sun makes me feel, I don't have a tan and have the kind of skin that burns, but I can tell when I haven't had enough sun. I get lethargic and depressed.

and on a side note, My DH never gets a tan, never goes out in the sun and is as pale as they come...and guess what had skin cancer. So there are no guarantees you won't or will get it.

I guess really it's just a personal descision.

Tristis

There is debate whether sunscreen actually CAUSES skin cancer or prevents it. We slather chemicals all over our porous skin because we think we are doing the right thing never thinking of the damage these chemicals have on us. My whole life I've been told to wear sunscreen daily even in the winter or on overcast days. It doesn't sit well with me and never has. When I feel I've had too much sun exposure for the day, I get away from the sun. I don't think it's healthy to spread chemicals on ourselves. Just as people are advising you about sunlight in moderation, I would recommend sunscreen in moderation as well. Try a natural/organic/homemade sunscreen to decrease your chances of getting unnecessary chemicals in your body.

srp2011

Sun is your friend, in moderation.

10-15 mins a day if fine as long as you don't burn easily, a light pink is OK from time to time, but never a burn.

America is under an epidemic with Vitamin D deficiency, and natural sunlight is the best way to get vitamin D.

Here is a very informative video on Vitamin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur_yXEUOOx8

Yes, and there's also a melanoma epidemic - the difference is, a vitamin D deficiency is treatable, advanced melanoma is not. You won't die from the kind of Vit D deficiency you see in this country, you will die from melanoma if it's not caught early and removed. I work with oncologists who specialize in melanoma and have done a lot of research on this topic, and no, the risks are not worth a tan. It is a grizzly, painful way to die. This is the fastest growing cancer population in the US, and it is preventable for the most part.

srp2011

There is debate whether sunscreen actually CAUSES skin cancer or prevents it. We slather chemicals all over our porous skin because we think we are doing the right thing never thinking of the damage these chemicals have on us. My whole life I've been told to wear sunscreen daily even in the winter or on overcast days. It doesn't sit well with me and never has. When I feel I've had too much sun exposure for the day, I get away from the sun. I don't think it's healthy to spread chemicals on ourselves. Just as people are advising you about sunlight in moderation, I would recommend sunscreen in moderation as well. Try a natural/organic/homemade sunscreen to decrease your chances of getting unnecessary chemicals in your body.

No, there's not really a debate about this in the medical community - ask an oncologist. Use a sunscreen or stay out of the sun.

TourThePast

There is debate whether sunscreen actually CAUSES skin cancer or prevents it.

No there isn't.

With all due respect, that's dangerous nonsense.

lovinmamaxo

As far as Vitamin D goes it's great for you. But be careful i don't recommend tanning to ANYONE. Last year i had a few moles removed off of my body caused from regular sun exposure (not artificial) and my mole came back as severe pre-cancerous so you have to proceed with lots of caution. I wouldn't think 15 minutes would hurt though.

BethanyMasters

I would use a sun block over a sunscreen and do very little and not every day.

I'm super super super paranoid about the sun. My sister who is six years older than me loves to tan. She just turned 30 and she already looks like she's 45. And she's recently discovered a spot on her skin that the doctor thinks may be a melanoma. She hasn't gone back since because she's immature and hides from her problems instead of dealing with them.

Please don't listen to anybody that say sunscreens and blocks are bad. The only person I ever actually heard that from was a crazy aunt that read it in some tabloid or something. I've yet to see or hear any evidence to support this. If you don't like artificial chemicals there are natural alternatives.

And please please please do any sun exposure with great moderation.


IMO tanning is over rated. Pale, undamaged complexions are beautiful.

MaryKatU

Another option is to use Jergens Natural Glow. It is a daily moisturize that gradually tans your skin. Since it builds a tan little by little you don't get streaks and the color looks more natural than spray tans and sunless tanners that darken you skin in 3-4 hours.

LuckyLeprechaun

Another option is to use Jergens Natural Glow. It is a daily moisturize that gradually tans your skin. Since it builds a tan little by little you don't get streaks and the color looks more natural than spray tans and sunless tanners that darken you skin in 3-4 hours.

this stuff works great. It does evenly and slowly work up the nice golden color, and it comes in a shade for lighter skin that gives nice results.

use as much spf as you can, as often as you can, and not only will you be safe from sun damage related cancers, you will look 10-20 years younger then the leatherfaced former tanorexics!!!

If you eat a healthy diet, you do not have to worry about vitamin D deficiency, take your multivitamin and protect your skin...:flowerforyou:

My mom and her sister demonstrate this, one was a tan-aholic, always had a membership to tanning salons, and one wore sunscreen when outside and an spf lotion every day from 25-50 (with fair/regular consistency). They are in actuality only 18 months apart, and they have been asked if the tanned one is the fair one's mother.

My mom looks amazing, I plan to keep on in her tradition and wear my sunscreen too...sun damage repair work is expensive.

erzsebet_1560

My Mom just had surgery to remove a skin cancer right on her nose. It was horrifying to say the least. Please be careful. Her face will never be the same and she is only 56.

Shizzman

There is debate whether sunscreen actually CAUSES skin cancer or prevents it.

No there isn't.

With all due respect, that's dangerous nonsense.

Actually there are some questions with a couple of the ingredients in sunscreen. The big thing about being out in the sun is don't get burnt, that is where you start running into issues with increased likelihood of skin cancer. People have been outdoors for millions of years, although I'm sure back in the day we used to think "hey it is hot out, I should from somewhere shaded and cooler..."

1sisrat

15 min of sun at least a day for women... so they say

millerll

This article by Graeme Thomas presents an interesting counter-viewpoint to the whole "how much sun is enough?" question. I'm not sure I agree with everything he states here, but it is thought-provoking. Keep in mind that he's Canadian, and wrote this article with his light-deprived "great white north" readers in mind. I live in Florida, and I can get plenty of sun year-round.

http://graemethomasonline.com/blinded-by-the-light/

One curious note: I did have a squamous cell carcinoma removed a few years ago. While it's tempting to chalk it up to too many years of sun exposure, to be frank, it was located on my lower backside, in an area that almost NEVER gets any sun (trust me on this one, LOL). Go figure. On the other hand, I used to sunbathe all the time when I was younger and never used sunscreen, and my face is pretty wrinkly for my age. So now I try to get about 15 minutes of sun a day for Vitamin D, and use sunscreen on my face. A happy medium, I guess.

wildon883r

I'm nearly 50 and can pass for 35 easy and i have years and years in the sun in fact i worked out in it every day for 12 years. I don't have aged skin because of the sun in fact we need to expose most of our bodies to it every day to generate are daily dose of Vitamin D. Ultimately cancer is caused by an immune system failure. Our bodies are designed to adapt to your environment as to why we tan. I for once get extremely dark when exposed to alot of sun. As to sunscreen, I see it as poison for our skin just like bug spray is. Alot of people don't realize that our most toxic environment is in the shower where all those chemicals are absorbed into your pours. There is NO EVIDENCE THAT SUNSCREEN PREVENTS SKIN CANCER. Thats enough evidence for me to not put that crap on my skin. Who is to say that the use of sunscreen isn't part of the problem?

Missouwechanged

I was wondering what is the worldwide ratio of people who have skin cancer. Is it really that high? Where does the majority of those people come from?

srp2011

I was wondering what is the worldwide ratio of people who have skin cancer. Is it really that high? Where does the majority of those people come from?

The statistics for the US in 2010 - over 68,000 new cases of melanoma, and 8700 deaths - while this may not seem like a lot of deaths percentage-wise, that's because melanoma if caught early can be removed surgically and cured - if it has spread, it is a death sentence - there are no cures and no good treatments. Approximately 5% of patients with advanced stage disease may have long term remissions with IL2 therapy which is one of those treatments where the cure is almost as bad as the disease. The remaining 95% have very short survival times - maybe around 1 year on average, or less. This disease is devastating.

srp2011

I'm nearly 50 and can pass for 35 easy and i have years and years in the sun in fact i worked out in it every day for 12 years. I don't have aged skin because of the sun in fact we need to expose most of our bodies to it every day to generate are daily dose of Vitamin D. Ultimately cancer is caused by an immune system failure. Our bodies are designed to adapt to your environment as to why we tan. I for once get extremely dark when exposed to alot of sun. As to sunscreen, I see it as poison for our skin just like bug spray is. Alot of people don't realize that our most toxic environment is in the shower where all those chemicals are absorbed into your pours. There is NO EVIDENCE THAT SUNSCREEN PREVENTS SKIN CANCER. Thats enough evidence for me to not put that crap on my skin. Who is to say that the use of sunscreen isn't part of the problem?

There are also smokers who don't develop lung cancer, That doesn't mean smoking doesn't cause lung cancer, just that a few lucky individuals are more resistant to its effects. I work with some of the top oncologists in the world - believe me, there is consensus about sun damage causing cancer, and avoiding sun exposure, or using sunscreen preventing it.