There seems to be a correlation between the use of sunscreens and the decrease in vitamin D by the body of people who use sunscreens.
In Italy the levels of vitamin D in the population have gradually decreased until they have a greater deficiency of this vitamin than in other European countries.
In fact it seems that Italian citizens, even though they live in a country where the sun is present, are also individuals used to using solar filters above all with high protection.
The effect of sunscreens on vitamin D would reduce the production of vitamin D by 75% and even more with peaks up to 92.5% depending on the areas of the body considered.
The levels of vitamin D circulating in the body were however normal or slightly low but not so influenced with a decrease from 7.7% to 13%: not a serious deficiency of vitamin D therefore.
The correlation "between the use of sunscreens and vitamin D deficiency" therefore remains a matter of investigation given that also the cadenced use of sunscreens that are applied to the skin every year in the summer months.
What is vitamin D
Vitamin D is a hormone produced by our body and which is used for many physiological functions such as the reduction of inflammation, the modulation of cell growth, the immune and neuromuscular response.
Furthermore, many know that vitamin D is essential for bone metabolism and its deficiency leads to diseases of the cardiovascular system, metabolic and autoimmune diseases.
Vitamin D is therefore produced by our body when it is exposed to the UV-B rays of the sun and its production is influenced by many factors such as latitude, longitude, climate and the day we are, the clothes we use and therefore how much body is exposed to the sun, our age and the type of pigmentation we have on our skin.
Our body needs to be exposed to at least 20 minutes a day in the sun so we can produce vitamin D. The areas of the body have a different production of vitamin D, in fact the face and the hands produce less while the trunk of the body is the one that produces more vitamin D of all.
It is therefore recommended to be in the sun even without a shirt to recharge this vitamin D but on the other hand we must remember to protect ourselves from the sun that damages the skin.
In fact, creams with sunscreens are absolutely recognized as indispensable for protecting the skin from tumors that can arise from direct exposure to the sun and cellular aging.
We remember that the creams with sunscreens have various protections up to the highest that is SPF 50+ known as total protection. Those with higher protection are usually recommended more for children and for those with very light and sensitive skin.
Conclusion of sunscreens and vitamin D
In conclusion we could therefore say that according to the recent study document it will be good to use sunscreen creams but considering lighter gradations in order to obtain two effects: the first is to allow the skin to receive the sun's charge to produce the vitamin D and the second, however, to be protected from the most damaging sun rays.
Avoiding the hours before and after midday is another tip to follow to preserve skin health and not run into vitamin D deficiency .
Recall that the less hot hours of the morning and afternoon are the most suitable for sunbathing and exposure to the sun, however with the use of creams with light sunscreens that allow the production of vitamin D essential as we have said for the welfare of our organism.
