The Telegraph: Sunscreen and Vitamin D
Everything you need to know about sunscreen (including the truth about SPF 100)
The Telegraph’s report on sun protection and the truth about sun cream included expert advice from Dr Ross Perry.
Dr Perry is founder of Skin Surgery & Laser Clinic and Cosmedics Skin Clinics. He has extensive experience of addressing the consequences of sun damage, including premature ageing, unwanted moles and skin cancer. His NHS career includes skin cancer reconstruction as well as work as a GP.
He gave The Telegraph his advice on the issue of vitamin D, which can be quite a confusing issue.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is essential for regulating calcium and phosphate in the body, helping to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
Vitamin D deficiency affects more than half of the adults in Britain. If a person has insufficient vitamin D, they can experience a range of symptoms. Tiredness and unexplained fatigue are very common; as are low mood and even depression. Patients can also experience bone, muscle and back pain and hair loss.
It is widely recognised that the sun is a major source of vitamin D, so getting more sun exposure would seem to be the answer.
Sunscreen which blocks the sun’s rays is likely to interfere with the production of vitamin D.
So what is best to do?
Expert Advice on Vitamin D and Sunscreen
Dr Ross Perry says it’s all about striking a balance between protection and exposure to Vitamin D. He says the main priority is to protect your face, as this is where most of the sun exposure happens, leading to skin ageing and increased risk of cancer.
“Vitamin D is made from every part of the skin, so it’s most sensible to expose larger areas of the body for a shorter period of time, rather than getting it all through the face.”
So using your face for vitamin D absorption is not the solution; but going outside with legs and arms exposed for 20 mins 2-3 times a week will get more than enough vitamin D production. He says that people don’t need extensive sun exposure to make enough vitamin D. He adds:
“You don’t need to tan to do it, on a normal sunny day you’ll get more than enough Vitamin D.”
Dr Perry also emphasised the need for thorough application of sunscreen with regular reapplications to protect the skin against the damage that UVA and UVB rays can cause.
Read this article in full
To read more, please visit https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/body/everything-need-know-sunscreen-including-truth-spf-100/ (registration/subscription required to view in full. Register to access 1 free article every week).
Skin Surgery Laser Clinics
Dr Ross Perry is a qualified and experienced London GP, who founded Cosmedics Skin Clinics in 2003, an independent company specialising in skin treatments such as removal of lesions/blemishes.
Cosmedics’ Skin Surgery Laser Clinic offer private mole removal at a selection of clinics based in London and Bristol. Moles are removed using the latest surgical techniques including laser mole removal; with trained doctors and surgeons.
Our team of qualified and experienced doctors and surgeons also treat other skin blemishes, including sebaceous cysts, skin tags, warts and lipoma using freezing, laser or surgical techniques.
For ultimate peace of mind, Cosmedics Skin Surgery Laser Clinic offer a thorough top to toe mole check carried out by their trained and experienced doctors.
For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.
