Posted By Chris Packham It is all a question of balance. We all need a certain exposure to UV(B). Whilst this is the main trigger for skin cancers it also is absorbed into the skin and starts a chemical reaction that eventually synthesizes Vitamin D. So if you do not get enough UV you could suffer from a Vitamin D deficiency, causing bone problems, ricketts in children, contributing to osteoporosis. The problem arises in that each person's skin is unique to them. What is sufficient for one may be too much for another. Thus all generalisations about the skin and UV may be wrong for certain people. Some will need more exposure, others less. My wife is half Scottish and can tolerate very little sun on her skin. I worked for three years in the Sahara and never had a problem. I am treating the report you mention with caution. It is like diet. If you listen to enough nutritionists you would die from starvation trying to avoid the food that each says is bad for you! Agreed that sun screens are a compromise, but in certain situations they are all they are practicable. Providing they are of sufficient strength (25 and above, plus five star for UV(A)) and are used sensibly they can help. Chris

Posted By Chris Packham Actually, talking on one of our courses last week with an occupational physician, in certain areas where there is a high ethnic minority, vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon, with the resulting problems that I have described. The problem is largely with those whose skin would normally be subjected to a high level of UV (Africa etc.) and who find our climate relatively cold, so cover up. The resulting skin cannot absorb sufficient and since up to 50% of our vitamin D intake can be generated in the skin, this can be a significant problem. Chris

Posted By Chris Packham As someone whose specific interest and expertise lies in the prevention of damage to skin from workplace exposure let me try to answer some of your points. 1. There are two types of skin cream for sun protection. The first uses chemicals to break down and absorb UV. These can, in rare cases, cause photosensitivity. The other type uses pigments, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect UV. This latter is more effective and also protects against UVA. Note that the "factor" only relates to UVB and not UVA. I know of no documented cases of allergy to the pigment type sun creams due to the pigment, although in very rare cases there has been a reaction to the preservatives used in such creams, but then they are also present in emollients, soaps, many cosmetics, etc. 2. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to significant problems. The doctor I mentioned in my earlier posting commented that he frequently has to prescribe vitamin D supplements to treat these. This was not the first time that this comment has occurred when discussing skin problems with (occupational) physicians. 3. Proper clothing and avoiding excessive exposure to the sun is, of course, the best course, but it is not always practicable and we sometimes have to rely on the compromise that is the sun cream. In any event, clothing will not protect the face from reflected UV off water, sand, white surfaces etc., so a cream may be needed on these exposed skin areas, even when clothing is being used. 4. UV can also be beneficial. UVA actually depresses the immune system and is used in the treatment of certain diseases, such as psoriasis (PUVA therapy). It is all a question af balance. Enough to prevent vitamin D deficiency but not so much as to cause skin cancer and premature skin ageing. 5. If we are so concerned about this, then why are we not labelling sun beds with a warning. They use UVA which causes premature skin ageing and does not increase the protection that the skin can provide against UVB. Chris