Dermatologist: Is Sunblock Useful or Dangerous?

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I have had several incidences of skin cancer. The first time, years ago, when something on my face was found to be skin cancer the dermatologist told me to wear sun block at all times, year round.

Skin cancer has been found several times over the years, the one on my face, several on my back and once on an arm.

In April I went to see a dermatologist about a red spot above my right eyebrow. It turned out to be what the doctor called a Actinic keratosis that she said would have turned into cancer.

Today I went back for a check-up. Reports now are saying that avoiding the sun altogether is not good as we are not getting the needed vitamin D which comes from the sun.

I asked Dr. Anjeli G. Laungani, MD, FAAD on the Senior Staff of Dermatology at Henry Ford Medical Center in West Bloomfield Michigan some questions.

I asked her about the reports that are out now. I told her that I had used a sun block year round like I had been told to do. But since reading the reports I have not been putting sun block on unless I will be in the sun for a long length of time.

She confirmed that the new reports are true. Since I live in Michigan she stated that the sun is not hot enough here too warrant wearing a sun block at all times. Her advice was to always wear a moisturizer for the face with an SPF 30 protection during the summer months and an SPF 15 during the winter months.

She said that it is normally the face that is affected the most by the sun and also the place that you least want to have cut to remove skin cancers.

She also stated that if anyone will be by a pool or in a hot climate where the sun is more intense than a sun block should be worn when out doors.

She said that a person only needs 15 to 20 minutes of sun a day to get the required amount of vitamin D. She added that you can get vitamin D even through a window if you are sitting near one and the sun is shining on your skin.

She advised that everyone should take a multivitamin every day plus women should also take calcium with vitamin D every day.

According to a report on KansasCity. com,

"The new message emerging? Maybe we went a little too far.

As in SPF 70 too far."

Because very few of the things that we eat are naturally rich in vitamin D, most people are relying on the little sun they do get and fortified foods, such as milk and cereal, to get the required amount of vitamin D they need for a day. Because of this many people fall short of what is needed.

It can be crucial to get the amount of vitamin D that is needed. Getting too little has been linked to several cancers, bone loss and unexplained muscle pain. Vitamin D also boosts our immune system and is needed for strong bones.

The proper balance is needed as dermatologists are seeing more and more cases of skin cancer every year

The amount of sun does vary from person to person and from skin type to skin type. Also as noted above it also depends on where you live. Michigan not as much sun block Florida or Hawaii more especially when out in the sun a lot of the time.

Something to remember also is that sunblock needs to be reapplied every hour or two.

So enjoy the outdoors but have some knowledge about the sun so that you will not suffer with skin cancer later in life. But get enough sun so that you are protected from other illnesses.