Myth: Applying Sunscreen Increases the Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency

Fact: The above statement is partly myth and partly fact. 

Understanding the ‘Fact’ part: 

Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun are known to cause sunburn and increase the risk of skin cancer. Sunscreen prevents absorption of these harmful UVB rays by your skin, and thereby protects your skin from sunburn and skin cancer. However, it is to be noted that absorption of UVB rays by the skin is an essential factor for Vitamin D synthesis by the skin. So logically speaking, since sunscreens prevent absorption of UVB rays by your skin, application of sunscreen should result in Vitamin D deficiency (thus, highlighting the ‘fact’ part in the above statement). 

Understanding the ‘Myth’ part:

Your body manages to produce adequate amounts of Vitamin D despite using sunscreen. 

Currently, there is no available sunscreen that is 100% effective in blocking the UVB rays. To achieve 100% efficacy you have to apply a thick layer (skin experts define a thick layer as quantity roughly equivalent to the size of one golf ball for the full body) of high SPF sunscreen and should keep repeating sunscreen multiple times throughout the day if you are being exposed under the sun for longer duration. Practically, most people apply very less sunscreen than the ideal required amount. So, even if you are applying sunscreen every day, your skin will still manage to synthesize adequate amounts of vitamin D to maintain the healthy levels in the body.

Take Home Message: Sunscreens do not increase the risk of Vitamin D deficiency unless applied in huge or copious amounts. Stepping out in the sun ‘unprotected’ without sunscreen may cause you more trouble than you asked for.  So, continue using sunscreens and protect your skin.

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