With the coming warmer weather we felt it appropriate to remind people of the importance of being sun safe.  We are sure that you are familiar with the dangers of excess exposure to sunlight.  Here in Australia, we often hear that phrase slip slop slap.  This is to remind us to slip on some clothes, slop on some sunscreen and slap on a hat.  Australians love their outdoor life, particularly in the warmer summer months, we flock to the beaches to swim surf and have fun.  However, the Australian sun has a powerful UV content and excess exposure puts us at risk of developing various skin cancers.
 
Many of us get little sun exposure throughout winter and spring. Then during the summer months run the risk of significant exposure occurring.  Unprotected skin can burn very rapidly under the hot Australian sun and the damage done by UV light can occur even when sunburn does not occur. 

The importance of remaining protected from the sun's rays receives intense media coverage here in Australia.  This is probably sensible given our love of sun-tanned bodies, and our sense that somehow they just look healthier.  The fact that our teenagers rarely listen to what the adults say is also good reason to keep pounding the message to stay safe in the sun.

So we thought that we would add our message to this barrage - though we will serve it with a little twist.

So what is the twist?  The twist is that the some people when listening to the message about staying sun safe they have gone too far. Sun exposure is actually good for you. It is an important part of our living in the natural environment. While over-exposure to the sun can be harmful so can under-exposure. When you look at the natural skin of different races from different climates it has altered to balance the available sunlight with our needs. People that came from sunnier regions developed darker less light permeable skins than those that came from regions with less sun. However as countries have become more multi-cultural the individual needs to be more aware of their own skin type and conscious of their sun exposure. In Australia many people came form overcast regions of the British Isles. Their skin is naturally pale and allows for a high level of absorption of light.  Those from African or Mediterranean regions have darker skin as they are usually exposed to greater sunlight levels. Each of us has our own unique tanning ability that allows for a degree of adjustment in our absorption of light. I think the key thing is to remember that you need sun exposure but you also need to protect from over exposure.

First of all do not rely too heavily on sunscreens limiting exposure with adequate clothing is a better way to go. We suggest that people get some sun exposure to develop a degree of natural sun protection and much more importantly to produce beneficial levels of vitamin D.

Evidence continues to mount at an accelerating rate that vitamin D is a very important risk reduction factor for a variety of diseases, not only those associated with bone health, but also those associated with internal organs, brain development while still in the womb or in infancy, and the autoimmune diseases, and even for defence against tuberculosis. Currently vitamin D is firmly accepted as a risk reduction factor for most of the skeletal disease such as rickets, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia. There is however growing evidence that it is protective for cancers particularly epithelial cancers and can include colon, breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers. Other important conditions it appears to protect against include multiple sclerosis, hypertension, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and schizophrenia.

Recent indications are that diet alone is inadequate to provide the amount of vitamin D necessary for optimum health. Sunlight (UV-B) exposure or supplementation is required. And over the last two decades US studies are showing significant upswings in the incidence of diseases that vitamin D helps protect against. This may be an indicator of poor vitamin D levels in the population. Sunlight is our most natural source of vitamin D production and since vitamin D is fat-soluble the body is able to store it for lengthy periods of time. Studies show that vitamin D levels rise over the warmer summer months (if we get sun exposure) and reduce to lower levels toward the end of winter.

If however you are going to increase your sun exposure make sure it is done in short controlled exposures that do not produce any reddening or burn on the skin. Over time as your skin tans you will be able to spend longer in the sun. But always keep in mind that some fair skinned people that have had little or no sun unprotected sun exposure can burn the skin in less than 10 minutes under high UV sun exposure.

For those concerned about skin cancer you need to understand that environmental or lifestyle factors play an important role in the way cancer develops. It has been estimated that up to 40% of cancers may be preventable.  Melanoma and non-melanocytic skin cancer are associated with UV radiation exposure. The incidence is higher in people with fair, sun-sensitive skin, those with pigmented naevi or moles on their skin, and those whose pattern of sun exposure has been intermittent, as indicated by high recreational exposure or involved frequent sunburns. Other factors such as diet and exercise are not only important for preventing cancer but play an important role in improving health generally. 

One of the dangers with sunscreens is that we can miss patches and suffer severe burns rapidly on unprotected skin.  Another is that sunscreens can wash off or be sweated off by activities in the sun, so where possible reduce your exposure to the sun by staying in shade or wearing clothing and hats.  For times where bare skin exposure is unavoidable, for lengthy durations, sunscreens offer the best protection.

Clinically it has been our experience that sunburn is more common in those that dont have natural sun exposure  usually because of forgetfulness or carelessness. Please remember that any sunburn may be serious and you should always consult your healthcare provider when burned. Many of the natural treatments available can assist in relief of pain and accelerate the healing of the skin. It is likely that these treatments will also defend against the damaging effects that may lead to skin cancers.

So please take care in the sun and enjoy all the benefits of outdoor living during the warmer months.