To think we're far too scared of the sun!

[BedHanger]

A leading lecturer in dermatology at Edinburgh university has said that the benefits of sun exposure "may far outweigh the risks" after a new study has shown an hour's exposure significantly reduces blood pressure:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-22433359

This is on top of our growing understanding of the vital role played by vitamin d in health.

AIBU to worry more about whether my DC are getting sufficient sun than about the potential risks? I don't let them burn btw, but I do make sure they have plenty of sun cream-free time whenever possible.

No, you can't. I live in Scotland and it's virtually impossible to get adequate levels of Vitamin D, through sun exposure alone.

I have no patience for this "chemical" vs "natural" argument, it's reductive nonsense and in most cases ignorant.

In fact, the amount of dangerous misconceptions based mostly on anecdotal evidence on this thread is frankly scary. I knew British people were very uneducated on the dangers of unprotected sun exposure, but am honestly shocked at how bad the public perception seems to be.

Poppy Have you read the research linked to by the OP?

I hate sunscreen. I'd rather cover up with clothing and a hat, and limit my exposure, than slather myself in it. Its great stuff I know but I hate the grease! Tried all sorts of brands, cheap, expensive, and everything in between. But I've never liked sitting out in the sun and its probably because my skin type says I shouldn't.

Excuse, no I read the BBC link the OP linked to.

From what I could glean, it's a recent study which hasn't been published yet, with a small sample of 24 volunteers that suggests the benefits of sun exposure may outweigh the risks.

On the other side of the balance, you have a fact: unprotected sun exposure puts you at risk of skin cancer, which is in a lot of cases fatal.

Considering a school colleague of mine has died this month at the age of 28 from malignant malenoma after being diagnosed in sept last year then yabu to allow dc sun cream free time. Takes two seconds to splat a bit on them and off u go and enjoy the sun safely or am i missing something?

"On the other side of the balance, you have a fact: unprotected sun exposure puts you at risk of skin cancer, which is in a lot of cases fatal"

What a load of utter nonsense.

For most types of skin cancer, it is one of the most treatable forms of cancer.

www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-info/cancerstats/types/skin/

Anyway, I am glad the OP has started this thread.

Disappointed not to get any reliable statistics, but hey ho.

I'm glad there is a bit of rebalancing against all this slathering in sunscreen in the UK. Because it was a teensy bit nuts.

Did I say the opposite?

I said "a lot of cases", which doesn't specify a percentage.

I know English isn't my first language, but I think I'm sufficiently proficient to make myself understood?

This line of conversation isn't productive so I'm not interested in debating semantics with you.

Bit snippy there Poppy

You need some sunshine :)

Sorry if I offended you Poppy.

But it was very important that I corrected your mistake.

I've got pretty middling coloured caucasian skin and i'll be using suncream in the summer in the UK and trying really hard to get outside in the winter.
I think this study should have been press released in October as the clocks go back because most people struggle to get enough daylight in winter, not in summer. You can't just bask in the sunshine through july and hope that'll keep your vitD levels up through Jan and Dec if you're stuck indoors for all the hours of daylight in thoses months.

Here's a link from the NHS that explains that in the UK we are not able to get vitamin D from sunlight in winter

Thanks. Useful to know. I didn't know it was only UVB that was useful in making vitD. Another reason to get my yearly ski holiday to the southern Alps :)

However, having checked this recent UofE study, it seems the blood pressure reducing compound isn't linked to VitD so it would be interesting to know what type of UV rays are important for that.

"Sorry if I offended you Poppy.
But it was very important that I corrected your mistake."

You didn't and I made no mistake, you're just obsessed with semantics for reasons best known to yourself.

I said "unprotected sun exposure puts you at risk of skin cancer, which is in a lot of cases fatal" and to my knowledge this is not a mistake.

In 2010, in the UK 2,203 people died of skin cancer and I feel that in an abstract sense that's a lot of fatalities (you might disagree, but I'm sure the families of the victims don't). So in a colloquial language, I used the word "lots".

I hope this makes sense to you, because I feel debating my use of English (as I said, not my first language) is tedious and not productive when people are trying to have a serious debate.

That's really interesting, thanks Chunderella

Poppy, you can say in obsessed with symantics. I was actually just trying to reassure others reading this thread, that if you get skin cancer your chances of survival is actually very high when compared with other cancers.

my mum has had 4 skin cancers removed or treated, must never be exposed to the sun without hat and gloves (advice from dermatologist) she haas only ever had normal day to day exposure in the uk.

I burn, in the uk, in march. I have the only glow white (creamy) children in school at the moment. this is because there is no shade at school and I can not control their exposure. they get plenty of exposure to sunlight in the evening.

Worth reading for anyone who thinks having dark skin will protect them

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5219752.stm

wow, even a GP is talking the 'nasty chemicals' nonsense. Should be deregistered instantly for scientific ignorance.

and still we hear 'I only wear suncream when it is hot'.

I like two arguments in this thread:

1. chemical=bad / natural=good
2. all is ok in moderation

I'm sure all these mothers will stand by this when their teenagers get caught smoking pot (natural) as long as it's in moderation

I take the point valium but the article you have posted acknowledges that darker skin does give substantial additional protection. Also it is an article published in the US, where in many states, there is quite a lot of sunshine. In the UK, we have leaden skies pretty well all year round.

Suncream has some not very nice chemicals in.I even read an article not so long ago saying some scientists avoid it.

Covering up is surely better anyway as you don't need to continuously keep reapplying.You're supposed to put a shot glass full each time of the chemical type,I suspect even the zealous uber vat appliers don't put on what they're supposed to.

Letting children have some exposure,then covering up and keeping in the shade during the peak hours is surely a balanced approach.

I have never used chemical cream on my 3 and very little of the organic stuff,they have never burned.

I like LadyIsabella's view about balance. Makes a lot of sense.