REVIEW PAPER
Does sunscreen block vitamin D synthesis? A literature review
More details
Hide details
1
Dermatology Department, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
2
Clinic of General Oncological, Metabolic and Thoracic Surgery, Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
Corresponding author
Paulina Tatara
Klinika Dermatologiczna, Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny, Polska
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Cholecalciferol has known positive biological properties, including protection against osteoporosis, facilitating the absorption of certain elements, stimulating insulin secretion, participating in the process of building bones and teeth, and is even suspected of having an impact on preventing depression. Nowadays, due to the multitude of sources, opponents of using sunscreens as protection against cancer development question the necessity of using them precisely because of the fear of impaired vitamin D production. The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of using sunscreens on the synthesis of vitamin D in the body.
Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge:
Ultraviolet radiation can affect the skin both positively and negatively. The advantages of UV radiation include participation in the synthesis of vitamin D3 and the production of melanin that protects against sunburn, a beneficial effect on well-being, protection against the development of selected autoimmune processes and a wide application in the treatment of dermatological diseases. The negative sides of UV action are sunburn, photo-aging and a factor in the development of non-cancers. In order to minimize the negative effects of solar radiation, it is necessary to use broadly understood photoprotection, including primarily creams with a filter [1].
Summary:
All publications undeniably emphasize the carcinogenic effects of radiation on human skin and the need for photoprotection. No article mentions the need to ban or reduce the use of sunscreen due to vitamin D deficiencies. The benefits of photoprotection far outweigh the potential reduction in vitamin D, which can easily be regulated by supplementation.
REFERENCES (24)
1.
Narbutt J, Wolska H, Kaszuba A, et al. Photoprotection. Recommendations of the Polish Dermatological Society. Dermatology Review 2018;105(1):19–29. doi:10.5114/dr.2018.74163.
2.
Young AR, Claveau J, Rossi AB. Ultraviolet radiation and the skin: Photobiology and sunscreen photoprotection. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(3S1):S100-S109. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2016.09.038.
3.
Holick MF. Sunlight, UV Radiation, Vitamin D, and Skin Cancer: How Much Sunlight Do We Need?. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1268:19–36. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-46227-7_2.
4.
Neale RE, Khan SR, Lucas RM, Waterhouse M, Whiteman DC, Olsen CM. The effect of sunscreen on vitamin D: a review. Br J Dermatol. 2019;181(5):907–915. doi:10.1111/bjd.17980.
5.
Passeron T, Bouillon R, Callender V, et al. Sunscreen photoprotection and vitamin D status. Br J Dermatol. 2019;181(5):916–931. doi:10.1111/bjd.17992.
6.
Young AR, Narbutt J, Harrison GI, et al. Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn. Br J Dermatol. 2019;181(5):1052–1062. doi:10.1111/bjd.17888.
7.
Wolf P. Vitamin D: one more argument for broad-spectrum ultraviolet A + ultraviolet B sunscreen protection. Br J Dermatol. 2019;181(5):881–882. doi:10.1111/bjd.18430.
8.
Kannan S, Lim HW. Photoprotection and vitamin D: a review. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2014;30(2–3):137–145. doi:10.1111/phpp.12096.
9.
Diehl JW, Chiu MW. Effects of ambient sunlight and photoprotection on vitamin D status. Dermatol Ther. 2010;23(1):48–60. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01290.x.
10.
Raymond-Lezman JR, Riskin SI. Sunscreen Safety and Efficacy for the Prevention of Cutaneous Neoplasm. Cureus. 2024;16(3):e56369. Published 2024 Mar 18. doi:10.7759/cureus.56369.
11.
Springbett P, Buglass S, Young AR. Photoprotection and vitamin D status. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2010 Nov 3;101(2):160–8. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2010.03.006. Epub 2010 Mar 21. PMID: 20444619.
12.
Narbutt J, Wolska H, Kaszuba A, et al. Photoprotection. Recommendations of the Polish Dermatological Society. Dermatology Review 2018;105(1):19–29. doi:10.5114/dr.2018.74164.
14.
Gracia-Cazaña T, Aguilera J, Navarro-Bielsa A, González S, Lim HW, Gilaberte Y. New trends on personalized sunscreens. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2024;40(3):e12967. doi:10.1111/phpp.12967.
15.
Wulf HC, Philipsen PA. Improving Photoprotection and Implications for 25(OH)D Formation. Anticancer Res. 2020;40(1):511–518. doi:10.21873/anticanres.13979.
16.
Henderson SI, King KL, Karipidis KK, Tinker RA, Green AC. Effectiveness, compliance and application of sunscreen for solar ultraviolet radiation protection in Australia. Public Health Res Pract. 2022;32(1):3212205. Published 2022 Mar 10. doi:10.17061/phrp3212205.
17.
Stege H, Schwarz T. Vitamin D und UV-Schutz [Vitamin D and UV protection]. Hautarzt. 2017;68(5):364–367. doi:10.1007/s00105-017-3982-8.
18.
DeLong LK, Wetherington S, Hill N, et al. Vitamin D levels, dietary intake, and photoprotective behaviors among patients with skin cancer. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2010;29(3):185–189. doi:10.1016/j.sder.2010.06.001.
19.
Tsugawa N, Kuwabara A, Ogasawara H, et al. Vitamin D Status in Japanese Young Women in 2016–2017 and 2020: Seasonal Variation and the Effect of Lifestyle Including Changes Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2022;68(3):172–180. doi:10.3177/jnsv.68.172.
20.
Lee CN, Chen TY, Wong TW. The Immunogenetics of Photodermatoses. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2022;1367:369–381. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-92616-8_14.
21.
Scollan ME, Lauren CT. Photodermatoses: what's new. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2022;34(4):374–380. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000001155.
22.
Cusack C, Danby C, Fallon JC, et al. Photoprotective behaviour and sunscreen use: impact on vitamin D levels in cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2008;24(5):260–267. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0781.2008.00373.x.
23.
Ahluwalia J, Marsch A. Photosensitivity and photoprotection in patients with lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2019;28(6):697–702. doi:10.1177/0961203319839486.
24.
Bogaczewicz J, Karczmarewicz E, Pludowski P, Zabek J, Wozniacka A. Requirement for vitamin D supplementation in patients using photoprotection: variations in vitamin D levels and bone formation markers. Int J Dermatol. 2016;55(4):e176-e183. doi:10.1111/ijd.13024.