Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn

A. R. Young; J. Narbutt; G. I. Harrison; K. P. Lawrence; M. Bell; C. O'Connor; P. Olson; K. Grys; K. A. Baczynska; M. Rogowski-Tylman; H. C. Wulf; A. Lesiak; P. A. Philipsen

doi:10.1111/bjd.17888

Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn

A. R. Young^*, J. Narbutt, G. I. Harrison, K. P. Lawrence, M. Bell, C. O'Connor, P. Olson, K. Grys, K. A. Baczynska, M. Rogowski-Tylman, H. C. Wulf, A. Lesiak, P. A. Philipsen

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

60 Citations (Scopus)

175 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background:

Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV)A and UVB radiation. UVB is essential for vitamin D synthesis but is the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. Sunscreen use is advocated to reduce the sun's adverse effects but may compromise vitamin D status.

Objectives:

To assess the ability of two intervention sunscreens to inhibit vitamin D synthesis during a week-long sun holiday.

Methods:

The impact of sunscreens on vitamin D status was studied during a 1-week sun holiday in Tenerife (28° N). Comparisons were made between two formulations, each with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. The UVA-protection factor (PF) was low in one case and high in the other. Healthy Polish volunteers (n = 20 per group) were given the sunscreens and advised on the correct application. Comparisons were also made with discretionary sunscreen use (n = 22) and nonholiday groups (51·8° N, n = 17). Sunscreen use in the intervention groups was measured. Behaviour, UV radiation exposure, clothing cover and sunburn were monitored. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Results:

Use of intervention sunscreens was the same (P = 0·60), and both equally inhibited sunburn, which was present in the discretionary use group. There was an increase (P < 0·001) in mean ± SD 25(OH)D₃ (28·0 ± 16·5 nmol L⁻¹) in the discretionary use group. The high and low UVA-PF sunscreen groups showed statistically significant increases (P < 0·001) of 19·0 ± 14·2 and 13·0 ± 11·4 nmol L⁻¹ 25(OH)D₃, respectively with P = 0·022 for difference between the intervention sunscreens. The nonholiday group showed a fall (P = 0·08) of 2·5 ± 5·6 nmol L⁻¹ 25(OH)D₃.

Conclusions:

Sunscreens may be used to prevent sunburn yet allow vitamin D synthesis. A high UVA-PF sunscreen enables significantly higher vitamin D synthesis than a low UVA-PF sunscreen because the former, by default, transmits more UVB than the latter.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1052-1062
Number of pages	11
Journal	British Journal of Dermatology
Volume	181
Issue number	5
Early online date	8 May 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.17888
Publication status	Published - Nov 2019

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1111/bjd.17888Licence: CC BY-NC

Optimal sunscreen use_YOUNG_Accepted14March2019_GOLD VoRFinal published version, 837 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

Cite this

Young, A. R., Narbutt, J., Harrison, G. I., Lawrence, K. P., Bell, M., O'Connor, C., Olson, P., Grys, K., Baczynska, K. A., Rogowski-Tylman, M., Wulf, H. C., Lesiak, A., & Philipsen, P. A. (2019). Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn. British Journal of Dermatology, 181(5), 1052-1062. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.17888

@article{866f42b7eeb645ea8fcb8e596da469fa,

title = "Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn",

abstract = "Background: Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV)A and UVB radiation. UVB is essential for vitamin D synthesis but is the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. Sunscreen use is advocated to reduce the sun's adverse effects but may compromise vitamin D status. Objectives: To assess the ability of two intervention sunscreens to inhibit vitamin D synthesis during a week-long sun holiday. Methods: The impact of sunscreens on vitamin D status was studied during a 1-week sun holiday in Tenerife (28° N). Comparisons were made between two formulations, each with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. The UVA-protection factor (PF) was low in one case and high in the other. Healthy Polish volunteers (n = 20 per group) were given the sunscreens and advised on the correct application. Comparisons were also made with discretionary sunscreen use (n = 22) and nonholiday groups (51·8° N, n = 17). Sunscreen use in the intervention groups was measured. Behaviour, UV radiation exposure, clothing cover and sunburn were monitored. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Use of intervention sunscreens was the same (P = 0·60), and both equally inhibited sunburn, which was present in the discretionary use group. There was an increase (P < 0·001) in mean ± SD 25(OH)D3 (28·0 ± 16·5 nmol L−1) in the discretionary use group. The high and low UVA-PF sunscreen groups showed statistically significant increases (P < 0·001) of 19·0 ± 14·2 and 13·0 ± 11·4 nmol L−1 25(OH)D3, respectively with P = 0·022 for difference between the intervention sunscreens. The nonholiday group showed a fall (P = 0·08) of 2·5 ± 5·6 nmol L−1 25(OH)D3. Conclusions: Sunscreens may be used to prevent sunburn yet allow vitamin D synthesis. A high UVA-PF sunscreen enables significantly higher vitamin D synthesis than a low UVA-PF sunscreen because the former, by default, transmits more UVB than the latter.",

author = "Young, {A. R.} and J. Narbutt and Harrison, {G. I.} and Lawrence, {K. P.} and M. Bell and C. O'Connor and P. Olson and K. Grys and Baczynska, {K. A.} and M. Rogowski-Tylman and Wulf, {H. C.} and A. Lesiak and Philipsen, {P. A.}",

year = "2019",

month = nov,

doi = "10.1111/bjd.17888",

language = "English",

volume = "181",

pages = "1052--1062",

journal = "British Journal of Dermatology",

issn = "0007-0963",

publisher = "John Wiley & Sons, Ltd (10.1111)",

number = "5",

}

Young, AR, Narbutt, J, Harrison, GI , Lawrence, KP, Bell, M, O'Connor, C, Olson, P, Grys, K, Baczynska, KA, Rogowski-Tylman, M, Wulf, HC, Lesiak, A & Philipsen, PA 2019, 'Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn', British Journal of Dermatology, vol. 181, no. 5, pp. 1052-1062. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.17888

TY - JOUR

T1 - Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn

AU - Young, A. R.

AU - Narbutt, J.

AU - Harrison, G. I.

AU - Lawrence, K. P.

AU - Bell, M.

AU - O'Connor, C.

AU - Olson, P.

AU - Grys, K.

AU - Baczynska, K. A.

AU - Rogowski-Tylman, M.

AU - Wulf, H. C.

AU - Lesiak, A.

AU - Philipsen, P. A.

PY - 2019/11

Y1 - 2019/11

N2 - Background: Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV)A and UVB radiation. UVB is essential for vitamin D synthesis but is the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. Sunscreen use is advocated to reduce the sun's adverse effects but may compromise vitamin D status. Objectives: To assess the ability of two intervention sunscreens to inhibit vitamin D synthesis during a week-long sun holiday. Methods: The impact of sunscreens on vitamin D status was studied during a 1-week sun holiday in Tenerife (28° N). Comparisons were made between two formulations, each with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. The UVA-protection factor (PF) was low in one case and high in the other. Healthy Polish volunteers (n = 20 per group) were given the sunscreens and advised on the correct application. Comparisons were also made with discretionary sunscreen use (n = 22) and nonholiday groups (51·8° N, n = 17). Sunscreen use in the intervention groups was measured. Behaviour, UV radiation exposure, clothing cover and sunburn were monitored. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Use of intervention sunscreens was the same (P = 0·60), and both equally inhibited sunburn, which was present in the discretionary use group. There was an increase (P < 0·001) in mean ± SD 25(OH)D3 (28·0 ± 16·5 nmol L−1) in the discretionary use group. The high and low UVA-PF sunscreen groups showed statistically significant increases (P < 0·001) of 19·0 ± 14·2 and 13·0 ± 11·4 nmol L−1 25(OH)D3, respectively with P = 0·022 for difference between the intervention sunscreens. The nonholiday group showed a fall (P = 0·08) of 2·5 ± 5·6 nmol L−1 25(OH)D3. Conclusions: Sunscreens may be used to prevent sunburn yet allow vitamin D synthesis. A high UVA-PF sunscreen enables significantly higher vitamin D synthesis than a low UVA-PF sunscreen because the former, by default, transmits more UVB than the latter.

AB - Background: Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV)A and UVB radiation. UVB is essential for vitamin D synthesis but is the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. Sunscreen use is advocated to reduce the sun's adverse effects but may compromise vitamin D status. Objectives: To assess the ability of two intervention sunscreens to inhibit vitamin D synthesis during a week-long sun holiday. Methods: The impact of sunscreens on vitamin D status was studied during a 1-week sun holiday in Tenerife (28° N). Comparisons were made between two formulations, each with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15. The UVA-protection factor (PF) was low in one case and high in the other. Healthy Polish volunteers (n = 20 per group) were given the sunscreens and advised on the correct application. Comparisons were also made with discretionary sunscreen use (n = 22) and nonholiday groups (51·8° N, n = 17). Sunscreen use in the intervention groups was measured. Behaviour, UV radiation exposure, clothing cover and sunburn were monitored. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Use of intervention sunscreens was the same (P = 0·60), and both equally inhibited sunburn, which was present in the discretionary use group. There was an increase (P < 0·001) in mean ± SD 25(OH)D3 (28·0 ± 16·5 nmol L−1) in the discretionary use group. The high and low UVA-PF sunscreen groups showed statistically significant increases (P < 0·001) of 19·0 ± 14·2 and 13·0 ± 11·4 nmol L−1 25(OH)D3, respectively with P = 0·022 for difference between the intervention sunscreens. The nonholiday group showed a fall (P = 0·08) of 2·5 ± 5·6 nmol L−1 25(OH)D3. Conclusions: Sunscreens may be used to prevent sunburn yet allow vitamin D synthesis. A high UVA-PF sunscreen enables significantly higher vitamin D synthesis than a low UVA-PF sunscreen because the former, by default, transmits more UVB than the latter.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85066316757&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/bjd.17888

DO - 10.1111/bjd.17888

M3 - Article

C2 - 31069787

AN - SCOPUS:85066316757

SN - 0007-0963

VL - 181

SP - 1052

EP - 1062

JO - British Journal of Dermatology

JF - British Journal of Dermatology

IS - 5

ER -

Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this