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You are exactly right. It is CUMULATIVE EFFECTS of repeated sun damage (bad sunburns), over a long period of time that result in the melanomas that are deadly. A safe, sensible approach to getting a tan is the best defense. Melanin is natures sunscreen. By getting a slow tan you are protected from the burning that is associated with skin cancer.
The closer you get to the equator, the less frequent the incidences of skin cancer, and conversely the further you get away, the more incidences of skin cancer. At the turn of the century, our population was more than 80 percent agrarian with farmers working from sun-up to sun-down 7 days a week and the cancer rate was approximately 8 percent. Now, we spend 80 percent of our time indoors and the cancer rate is 30 percent.
20yrsinBranson
It is cumulative, but any tan is a sign of skin damage, and a tan will not prevent skin cancer.
The geographical distribution of skin cancer is not directly proportional to distance from the equator because other factors come into play, including skin types prevalent in the population and altitude above sea level.
Tanning is not equivalent to genetically determined levels of melanin in the skin.
There is no such thing as a healthy tan. Those farmers commonly wore long sleeves, long pants, and hats. The increase in the incidence of skin cancer is directly proportional to spending more time in the sun with large areas of exposed skin.
I do not know where you are getting your information about vitamin D, but it is incorrect.
When skin is exposed to sunlight, skin cells make vitamin D. There is no "gland" that makes it. You are unaware that the energy in sunlight can and does participate in chemical reactions. The sun does not contain hormones, but the energy in sunlight causes the skin to turn a form of cholesterol into vitamin D.
I am curious as to why you do not believe Dr. Murphy, an obviously very dark skinned scientist who has studied vitamin D extensively.
Skin cells don't make vitamin D. Skin cells contain melanocytes which preserve energy. When expose to sunlight the melanocytes will cluster to prevent burning. The electrical impulses (caused by reaction to the sunrays/light) causes the melanocytes to cluster. Vitamin D is a hormone produce by your glands. How much that is produce is genetic and biological. ALL glands produce and secrete hormones. The sun does not contain hormones nor does it excrete hormones. Sunlight does provide energy to many living organism including melanocytes but it's not comparable to vitamin D in no way, form or fashion. Practically, no one is at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Your body produces what is needed according to the individual. Too much vitamin D kills melanocytes. Dark skin people don't need vitamin D supplements nor sunlight exposure.
Skin cells don't make vitamin D. Skin cells contain melanocytes which preserve energy. When expose to sunlight the melanocytes will cluster to prevent burning. The electrical impulses (caused by reaction to the sunrays/light) causes the melanocytes to cluster. Vitamin D is a hormone produce by your glands. How much that is produce is genetic and biological. ALL glands produce and secrete hormones. The sun does not contain hormones nor does it excrete hormones. Sunlight does provide energy to many living organism including melanocytes but it's not comparable to vitamin D in no way, form or fashion. Practically, no one is at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Your body produces what is needed according to the individual. Too much vitamin D kills melanocytes. Dark skin people don't need vitamin D supplements nor sunlight exposure.
I would encourage any African American readers of this thread to follow Dr. Murphy's advice. He knows what he is talking about.
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