How To Practice "Safe Sun"

The Sun wasn’t always a bogeyman . it's healthful properties were well known in the early 20th century – Meet Doctor Sun!


Illustration from McGill University’s Osler Library of the History of Medicine:

  https://www.mcgill.ca/library/files/library/osler-ourfriendsun.pdf 

Safe Sunlight Exposure is  based on Skin Type sensitivity, measured by the Minimal Erythemal Dose, 1 MED - pictured here – is barely pink.

 

This image appears to be Skin Type 2 or 3 on the Fitzpatrick Scale (#1 – 6, below).

 

Safe sun exposure means Never Burn.


Safe Sunlight Exposure also depends on:

Where you live - time of year and day - your age and how much of your body is covered by clothing or sunscreen.

Current sun exposure recommendations often don’t take all these factors into account. Since the 1960s, when more light-skinned people starting spending weeks of leisure time at the beach getting sunburned, sunscreen sales has grown to a multibillion-dollar/year industry - $1.95 billion in 2016 alone [1].

There is no evidence that sunscreen prevents cancer; it was developed to prevent sunburn, when used as directed.

As you age, you lose your ability to make vitamin D3 from sunlight [2].


Safe Sunlight Exposure Factors


Location Matters!


  Age Matters!


     Time of Year    and Day matters!


Skin Type matters!


Amount of Skin exposure matters!                  


The Fitzpatrick Scale

To be safe in the Sun –

Follow the 1 MED recommendation for your skin type, Tan Slowly, Never Burn. Measure your D3 level before and after starting supplementation or safe sun practices.

Once 1 MED is reached - Seek Shade - Cover Up with protective clothing, or Apply Full Spectrum Sunscreen