Suntanning and temperature (skin, arms, cancer, vitamin)

[robertpasa]

If you're getting a suntan, does it make any difference what the temperature of the air is? In other words, if it's sunny and 90, or sunny and 70, everything else being equal, does it affect how tanned you will get?

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by robertpasa

If you're getting a suntan, does it make any difference what the temperature of the air is? In other words, if it's sunny and 90, or sunny and 70, everything else being equal, does it affect how tanned you will get?

I don't think so.
I think the main difference / concern is that when it's cooler one could be a bit more cavalier regarding the potential damage of too much sun exposure and not take sufficient precautions.

[suzy_q2010]

Best not to tan at all. Just increases the risk of skin cancer.

Is a tan really worth dying for?

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by suzy_q2010

Best not to tan at all. Just increases the risk of skin cancer.

Is a tan really worth dying for?

They're finding that this isn't particularly good advice. By avoiding the sun people are actually reducing their vitamin D intake to dangerously low levels.

[tilli]

Temperature doesn't matter. What matters is the UV index. I can't tell you how many lobster red burnt tourists I see every year in the middle of winter because they didn't think they'd need sunscreen at that time of year.

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

They're finding that this isn't particularly good advice. By avoiding the sun people are actually reducing their vitamin D intake to dangerously low levels.

In some geographical areas you can get a lot of sun and still not make enough vitamin D.
Your doc can measure vitamin D levels and tell if you need to supplement. I am not a big fan of supplements in general, but if you actually have a deficiency, then it is indicated.

I'd rather take extra vitamin D than get melanoma. My own levels are good. Bones are good, too.

And if you live at a latitude where you can get sufficient light exposure, you do not have to tan for it to work.

Harvard Public Health Review Spring 2007

"A light-skinned person living in Boston who takes walks in the summer with the face, neck, and arms exposed for 15 minutes gets enough. A 30-minute, full-body exposure to summer sun at noon without any sunscreen protection triggers the release of about 20,000 IU into the bloodstream. ."

"............ Dark-skinned individuals, whom research suggests are more prone to colon cancer than whites, should probably take vitamin D supplements, considering that their colon cancer risk may be related to insufficient vitamin D."
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