By Jenny Ho, Grade 10

With summer vacation (hooray!) just around the corner, the amount of sunlight we receive in Vancouver significantly increases. We spend more time outdoors; whether it is on the beach, at a park, or at the swimming pool. Naturally, one would slather on a palm full of coconut-scented lotion (a.k.a., sunscreen) fifteen minutes before we head outside. However, Canadian dermatologists insist that we are setting ourselves up for trouble.

We’ve all heard this during some point in our lives: the sun is a source of vitamin D, and we need it. Although you’ve probably heard this, too: if you don’t wear sunscreen, you’ll get skin cancer. There’s been constant controversy over the vitamins we receive from the sun and skin protection.

Vitamin D’s role in our health is to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in our bloodstream. Research suggests that vitamin D may prevent certain cancers, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis. It comes in two different forms: Vitamin D2 and D3. D2 comes naturally from plants, and D3 comes from UV exposure, and certain types of food.

 Sunscreen is used to protect us from UV (or ultraviolet) radiation which comes in several forms. The two most commonly mentioned are UVA and UVB. However, UVC is also present. UVA rays are the weakest rays out of all three, but they penetrate deeper into the skin. It causes unsightly wrinkles, premature aging, and skin cancer. UVB affects the outer layers of the skin; also causing aging, cancer, and painful sunburns. Out of the three, UVC is the strongest, the most dangerous, but the least concerning. The ozone layer filters it out, so it never reaches the Earth’s surface. With repeated exposure, damage is done to skin cells and DNA. As you may know, cells repair themselves by losing the damaged DNA. With repeated exposure to radiation, the cells cannot repair themselves, and become useless.

 According to The Canadian Dermatology Association, most Canadians receive enough vitamin D in the spring, summer and autumn from sun exposure. Now that we’ve cleared the air, what’s the problem? The biggest mistake people make is not using enough sunscreen. Surprisingly, one 120mL tube of sunscreen is only good for about four to five applications. That may be why one in seven people will develop some sort of skin cancer in their lifetime. Even though it’s preventable, someone dies from skin cancer every hour in North America. However, sunscreen is not enough. It only acts as a first line protection against the sun. Other precautionary steps to take include wearing hats, protective clothing, and sunglasses.

 Sadly, there is no perfect solution. If there was, we wouldn’t need sunscreen in the first place! So, before you head out in the sun for some fun, be sure to take precautionary steps.

 SOURCES:

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/05/21/f-health-sunscreen.html

http://dermatology.about.com/od/skincancers/a/vit_d_sunscreen.htm

http://www.paulabegoun.com/2009/03/20/sunscreen-controversy-is-sunny-side-up-now-sunny-side-down/