Why I am Pro-Sun Exposure
There. I said it. And it wasn’t funny or anything.
On that note, here’s me in 1984, laying out in the sun. I have dozens of pictures just like this, because I pretty much did this all the time. I planned my days around “sun time.”
And like all other girls laying out in the sun in 1984, I’m slathered with this.
Nice. I’m a walking skin cancer checklist.
Here’s me, also in 1984, showing off my tan line. I’m so proud of it!
My friend Chelle is also showing her tan line, but she could not access her tan line without violating my blog’s G-rating. So I made Chelle a little white paper skirt.
You’re welcome.
Now notice the expression on my face in both pictures. That was before I got braces and, for some unknown reason, I thought my smile looked better with my mouth closed.
And like every other 98 pound Sophomore, I probably thought I was fat. Mercy!
Actually, now that I look at it, I’m wondering if the sun burned my mouth into that position.
Thank you very much, Johnson’s Baby Oil. Is it any wonder my parents bought me a beach towel with this logo?
Just out of curiosity, I did an age-progression to see what will happen to me if I were to continue tanning at this rate, using nothing but baby oil as my sunscreen of choice. It is estimated that when I’m 50, I will look like this.
Notice the facial expression. Coincidence? I think not.
See, even when I try to give you a serious post with no introduction, I lead you down a bunny trail. Is it any wonder every single post takes me like 6 hours to write and I’m always tired?
This post really does have a point. I promise. And the point is, despite all the hype about the dangers of sun exposure—and my obvious lack of discretion with SPF-free mineral oil—It is really, really important that we do NOT completely avoid the sun.
Jordan S. Rubin, N.M.D,. Ph.D. author of The Maker’s Diet (a book I love very much and highly endorse) says this about the sun:
Critics claim that exposure to the UV rays of the sun cause higher rates of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer. This might be true for a small population segment—those with compromised immune systems who don’t consume adequate nutrients (especially healthy fats). However, the people who actually get the most exposure to sunlight in different parts of the world exhibit the lowest incidence of skin cancer. The only logical explanation is that exposure to sunlight is not unhealthy.
What is unhealthy is exposure to sunlight with the diets we consume. Rex Russell, M.D., notes that when sunlight activates the phytochemicals in healthy foods, consumption of those foods not only blocks the harmful effects of UV rays, but they also produce ‘antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer components, as well as pest repellents.’”
The skin and the sun’s rays work together to produce vitamin D in the body. When the sun’s UV rays come into contact with the skin, DNA molecules quickly convert more than 99.9 percent of the rays’ energy into harmless heat. Meanwhile, UV rays stimulate the skin’s production of vitamin D, which is essential for immune response, mood stability, and bone health. In fact, inadequate doses of vitamin D have been linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD), osteomalacia (a softening of the bones because of defective bone mineralization), and, intriguingly, increased premature cancer mortality.
That’s right. An increase in cancer mortality when we don’t get enough sunlight.
Did you get that? Lives SAVED by sun exposure? 1984-Sandy is jumping up and down and saying “like, totally!” With a closed-mouth smile, of course.
And last but not least, check out this one-minute blurb about Vitamin D depression.
Clearly that man has had no Botox whatsoever. Or hair implants. I’m just sayin’.
Like all things in life, approach sun exposure in moderation. To get adequate amounts of vitamin D, you need to expose your skin (without sunscreen) to direct sunlight for about 10 to 15 minutes a day. Be sure to apply sunscreen before your skin burns and reapply often for the remainder of the day. And, no, baby oil does NOT count.
Resources for this post:
http://www.docshop.com/2008/03/31/here-comes-the-sun-risks-and-benefits-of-sun-exposure/
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/30769.php
http://www.naturalnews.com/023807.html
Hummm, I know that a little sun is good for you. I am vitamin D deficient mainly due to the fact I have lupus and cannot be in the sun… So I have to take prescription strength. The doctor told me 15 minutes a day is good for you. I live in Phoenix and the sun really burns the skin fast! So we do have skin cancer problems. Thanks for the info
Hummm, I know that a little sun is good for you. I am vitamin D deficient mainly due to the fact I have lupus and cannot be in the sun… So I have to take prescription strength. The doctor told me 15 minutes a day is good for you. I live in Phoenix and the sun really burns the skin fast! So we do have skin cancer problems. Thanks for the info
Sandy Bear,
In deference to your comments, and my love for the Sun (Sol), I will apply a compromise sun block of "8 SPF" tomorrow for the 4 hrs I plan to work outside. Please… love my compromise ….. 🙂
John
Sandy Bear,
In deference to your comments, and my love for the Sun (Sol), I will apply a compromise sun block of "8 SPF" tomorrow for the 4 hrs I plan to work outside. Please… love my compromise ….. 🙂
John
Yes, I read about the Vit. D and sun connection years ago.
I live in Florida so it's sunny most of the time. (Not this week ~ lots of rain.)
I try to sit in my backyard for about 20 minutes/day. I don't want sun on my face so I wear a big floppy hat, sunglasses and sunscreen on my face, decolletage and backs of hands. I get exposure on my arms and legs w/o sunscreen.
Good information that a lot of people don't seem to know.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
Yes, I read about the Vit. D and sun connection years ago.
I live in Florida so it's sunny most of the time. (Not this week ~ lots of rain.)
I try to sit in my backyard for about 20 minutes/day. I don't want sun on my face so I wear a big floppy hat, sunglasses and sunscreen on my face, decolletage and backs of hands. I get exposure on my arms and legs w/o sunscreen.
Good information that a lot of people don't seem to know.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
I have major sun spots on my shoulders from playing years of softball with No sunscreen on. I always had hideous tan lines.
I'm still having the same problem with Internet Explorer.
Also, I didn't see Mr. Linky on the bottom, so I can't link.
Here is my blog
http://allpain-nogain.blogspot.com
I have major sun spots on my shoulders from playing years of softball with No sunscreen on. I always had hideous tan lines.
I'm still having the same problem with Internet Explorer.
Also, I didn't see Mr. Linky on the bottom, so I can't link.
Here is my blog
http://allpain-nogain.blogspot.com
I refreshed and Mr. Linky popped up, so I linked!
I refreshed and Mr. Linky popped up, so I linked!
This is a tough one since May is Skin Cancer Prevention Month and I work for a Dermatologist.
Yes, some sun exposure is important. But we are exposed to the sun a lot without sunscreen. When you are driving etc. And walking around.
But will say that I will continue with my pastey white skin with little sun exposure — except for the drives to and from work — because of the risk that runs in my family for atypia and skin cancer. Plus, I don't want to look like a leather handbag. Have you noticed how bad Robert Redford and even Brad Pitt look? Yikes, they look OLD.
A little sun is okay. But after your 15 minutes of craziness in the sun, an SPF of 45 or higher is called for. AT least that is what we recommend to our patients. Just seen my share of what happens — including on my own body.
This is a tough one since May is Skin Cancer Prevention Month and I work for a Dermatologist.
Yes, some sun exposure is important. But we are exposed to the sun a lot without sunscreen. When you are driving etc. And walking around.
But will say that I will continue with my pastey white skin with little sun exposure — except for the drives to and from work — because of the risk that runs in my family for atypia and skin cancer. Plus, I don't want to look like a leather handbag. Have you noticed how bad Robert Redford and even Brad Pitt look? Yikes, they look OLD.
A little sun is okay. But after your 15 minutes of craziness in the sun, an SPF of 45 or higher is called for. AT least that is what we recommend to our patients. Just seen my share of what happens — including on my own body.
How do you convince teens about the risk of skin cancer?? I never listened either. I'm glad that by the time I was about 30 I became much more careful. I usually get fairly brown with jsut normal activity in Florida. I love the beach but I always take a beach umbrella now. It's cooler too!
How do you convince teens about the risk of skin cancer?? I never listened either. I'm glad that by the time I was about 30 I became much more careful. I usually get fairly brown with jsut normal activity in Florida. I love the beach but I always take a beach umbrella now. It's cooler too!
I'm totally with you, Sandy!
No one says the sun exposure has to come from being in the sun during the hottest part of the day. I take my girls out in the morning to get the benefits of the sun. 10 – 15 minutes is all it takes. Then we do apply sun hats for protection if we stay out longer.
And who knew about the natural bug repellent??? That's AWESOME!
I'm totally with you, Sandy!
No one says the sun exposure has to come from being in the sun during the hottest part of the day. I take my girls out in the morning to get the benefits of the sun. 10 – 15 minutes is all it takes. Then we do apply sun hats for protection if we stay out longer.
And who knew about the natural bug repellent??? That's AWESOME!
I truly found this to be very informative. I know we need sun for vitamin D if we are not taking anything, but I didn't know how truly good the sun could be for us.
I truly found this to be very informative. I know we need sun for vitamin D if we are not taking anything, but I didn't know how truly good the sun could be for us.
Great info, Sandy! I am taking your advice to heart and heading out- doors to enjoy the few sunny days we get in Portland Oregon!
Great info, Sandy! I am taking your advice to heart and heading out- doors to enjoy the few sunny days we get in Portland Oregon!
Did you put your face on my tan line picture? More proof we're related!
One summer in college when I was lifeguarding, I was so tan I almost turned blue. True story.
Oh, I totally get depressed when the sun doesn't shine…thanks for the info.
Did you put your face on my tan line picture? More proof we're related!
One summer in college when I was lifeguarding, I was so tan I almost turned blue. True story.
Oh, I totally get depressed when the sun doesn't shine…thanks for the info.