We Can Go On Holiday Again!

If anything has shown from the covid pandemic, we as a people are severely lacking in vitamin D.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s produced in your skin in response to sunlight. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin in a family of compounds that includes vitamins D-1, D-2, and D-3.

Your body produces vitamin D naturally when it’s directly exposed to sunlight. You can also get it through certain foods and supplements to ensure adequate levels of the vitamin in your blood.

Vitamin D has several important functions. Perhaps the most vital are regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and facilitating normal immune system function. Getting a sufficient amount of vitamin D is important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth, as well as improved resistance against certain diseases.

research has proven a lack of vitamin D will affect your ability for the body to defend against COVID-19. So, its highly recommended you get out there and soak in some sun. However, what happens when you put a SPF on? which is told by many 'experts' is a must to avoid skin cancer but recent research has concluded SPF's cause further damage to cells. lets break down the facts from the myths...

Are SPF's Protecting your skin? or dangerous?

The latest health warnings says “ sun burn warnings have become so extreme that most of us are starved of vitamin D”.by using sun creams (spf's) which blocks Vitamin D being produced in the skin, according to experts including cancer specialists this is our most important of vitamins and using a sun screen (spf) stops us absorbing it, while at the same time the chemicals in sun screen actually increases the damaged from UVA the main cause of premature ageing and skin cancer .

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UVA & UVB?

We really need to Understand what the different UV lights are and use things which protect you from them:

UVA light contributes to skin ageing and the development of skin cancer as it penetrates deeper into the skin where new cells are forming. It has a consistent intensity throughout the day and can be just as prevalent in winter. It can also penetrate through cloud, glass, water, clothing and umbrella shades.

UVB light is more like a heat ray and can lead to surface sunburn on the skin. Its very unusual to get skin cancer from UVB light unless you continually getting burnt time after time, year after year, without any caution.

UVB can only be absorbed over prolonged periods of time in direct sunlight. It cannot penetrate glass, clothing or umbrella shade. So, if you don't sit in the sun you won't get burnt, but if you don't sit out in the sun you won't absorb vitamin D!

Without a SPF surely you can't achieve either then? Its actually about being precious and knowing your limits. Spend 15 minutes a day in direct sunlight without a SPF and build up your melanin levels (aka a tan). Over several days your body will adjust to the sun and you will be able to spend more time outside in direct sunlight without risk of UVB burn, yet still absorbing vitamin D. 

HOW DO I STOP THE UVA DAMAGE IN THE SUN?

This is one we can help with - Our antioxidant rich A+ serum protects you from UVA damage through the botanical oils that have rich sources of antioxidants to prevent UVB causing 'free radical damage' to cells.

We also recommend Natural Elements Skin Care Pre-sun body oil for the entire body if your sunbathing:

What happens if your in the sun all day and can't take a break?

This is a tricky one. Say for example your at a sports event and your in the sun for 6 to 8 hours and no access to shade. What we advise is 1) apply the A+ serum first to protect the skin against UVB 2) apply a SPF over the top to stop the UVB burn 3) Soon as you get home you wash your face and body and apply another application of A+ serum. This gives you the best of both worlds and reduce the risks all round. However, save it for when you really need it and use the precaution method when on holiday.