Article: Shannon Smith from FAIRLADY
Image: Fairlady

Recent research points an accusatory finger at sun protection creams for their possible links to faster ageing, various forms of cancer (including breast, prostrate and colon cancer), osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and multiple sclerosis, to name a few.

The sun controversy
But at the centre of current controversy is the vitamin D debate. In 2004 Professor Mike Holick was 'removed' from his position as Professor of Dermatology at Boston University Medical Centre for recommending 'sensible sun exposure' to boost the amount of vitamin D in the body. The American Academy of Dermatology distanced itself from his comments immediately, and Professor Barbara Gilchrest, his superior, claimed in DoctorYourself.com that linking vitamin D deficiency to illness is 'schlock science'.

But, since this scandal broke, more and more scientific and medical professionals have come out in support of vitamin D, its health benefits and (gasp!) 'safe' sun exposure.

The Head of Research at CANSA, Dr Carl Albrecht, recently stated that sensible sun exposure is necessary and advisable for 'adequate vitamin D levels '. Here in sunny South Africa, he said, we've gone to far and demonised sunlight.'Science shows that sensible exposure is vital for good health and we need to build this into our lifestyles. There is growing evidence that vitamin D can play an important role in preventing certain cancers as well as other diseases.' A well known South African plastic surgeon concurs.

But while the medical profession is at loggerheads about the facts, the skin cancer stats continue to rise alarmingly. The South African statistics for malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, paint a grim picture: in 1995, one in 36 women and one in 27 men were diagnosed with melanoma. 'Realistically,' says Dr Dagmar Whitaker, President of the SA Melanoma Advisory Board, 'we are probably looking at 5000 to 6000 cases per year. And unless you protect your skin, the chance of getting non-melanoma skin cancer is close to 100%, if you get old enough.

Whitaker is adamant that 'No unprotected sun exposure is safe in our country. In order to produce the necessary amount of vitamin D,10 minutes of sun exposure to an area the size of your hand is enough, in South Africa you get this when you drive to work, pick up the kids from school, take lunch, or enjoy a braai.A "little bit of unprotected sun exposure" sounds like a "little bit of unprotected sex" to me, she says.

The way research on vitamin D has been distorted, misquoted and misused is extraordinary. The sun bed industry was overjoyed by Professor Holick's original statements, using the opportunity to tout sun beds as a 'healthy' way to boost vitamin D levels. And,in the September 2007 issue of Professional Beauty UK , Gary Lipman, MD of Ergoline UK, a supplier of professional tanning equipment, quoted reams of scientific data to support the argument for unprotected sun exposure.

Despite this, the fact remains: sun beds, with their high and usually unregulated levels of UVA, are not just unhealthy but life-threatening. When all is said and done, ultraviolet light exposure causes skin cancer: the proof is irrefutable. And, though vitamin D is important for our health, we should all think twice about facts and stats that aren't related to South African conditions for research.

Protect yourself
Most recently, free radicals (not the type that run naked at Sandy Bay), have entered the fray. Research claims ingredients in sun protection creams, when exposed to sunlight, produce so many free radicals that, rather than protecting the skin against ageing, they speed it up. But any exposure to sunlight causes free radical formation, so using a sun protection creams seem to be the lesser of two evils.

Some sun protection creams are so poorly formulated that they break down to nothing more than a moisturiser when exposed to sunlight. Make sure your sun protection cream comes from a reputable company, or check that it's endorsed by an organisation like CANSA.

It's also important to include a high level of antioxidants in your diet and in your skin care routine. Check for ingredients like vitamin C,vitamin E, vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), resveratrol and coenzyme Q10 in your products (for best results these should be near the top of your list), and include strawberries, blueberries, red grapes, broccoli, green tea and tomatoes in your diet.