Vitamin D as we know is a close cousin of vitamin A. It is also fat soluble, has receptors on the cell nucleus and even shares one of the vitamin A receptors, but somehow in the last couple of decades everyone seems to have forgotten about this vital molecule. We have probably done actual damage through very well meaning, but excessive preventative sun exposure measures to curb skin aging and damage. 

A lot of good research is now suggesting that just like vitamin A, vitamin D is a vital link in the body's innate ability to prevent cancers from starting up. It is actually a little frightening to realise that lack of vitamin D may have a hand in the higher incidences of all kinds of cancer like breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, bowel cancer and even skin cancer.

Many people know that vitamin D is important for bones and teeth and may cause severe deformities in children suffering from a condition called rickets, but few seem to realise that it is such an important molecule in the general health of people. 

The important question of course is why this new and potentially catastrophic situation has come about? The answer is that in our strong drive to promote skin health, health care professionals and beauty therapists alike have turned into "Sun Nazis".

Over the last twenty years or so there has been a concerted effort internationally to curb the incidence of skin cancers and in particular malignant melanoma without apparent in-depth consideration of the possible negative consequences of limiting sun exposure to the degree that was suggested.

The numbers of melanomas and other skin cancers are ironically still rising today, in spite of an anti-tan culture and very widespread use of predominantly UVB-absorbing sunscreens. Most of these sunscreens carry the now well known SPF ratings and people proudly use these whilst they go out to enjoy sunny weather.

The campaigns to reduce the incidence of skin cancer have not been successful and the really troubling part is that no one seems to be able or willing to explain why they have failed. The anti-tan culture has been a positive development, but the use of ill-conceived sun screens has not. 

Perhaps looking at some basic available facts will help shed some light on where the current approaches have failed. And this is exactly where the vitamins come in. 

It is a known fact that Vitamin A induces transcription of protective proteins in a cancer suppressing gene called p53. The name of this gene is not important here, but we know that vitamin D may well have a similar action over and above other specific effects which inhibit the growth of a variety of cancers.

Vitamin D helps to cause the programmed death of cancer cells directly and this includes the cells of non-melanoma skin cancers.  Suppressor genes prevent so called oncogenes or cancer-causing genes from becoming active and promoting cancer formation.

Both these vitamins stimulate healthy cells to specialise to their best potential, which is the exact opposite behaviour found in cells undergoing cancerous changes.

Vitamin D bolsters the immune system against infections like influenza and pneumonia and has many other direct and indirect positive functions in the human immune system. 

A little simple logic then suggests that if people lack sufficient quantities of these two vitamins, the risk of oncogenes becoming active and causing cancer will increase.

Ultraviolet A light is not sufficiently screened out by most commercially available protective lotions, no matter how high the SPF rating, then it becomes obvious that the damage caused by excess free radicals and UVA light will lead to an increase in skin cancers in the absence of sufficient amounts of the protective vitamins A and D. 

To make matters worse, the SPF rating on sunscreens refers to ultraviolet B screening only. Ultraviolet B is the very light spectrum required to make activated vitamin D3. In another ironic twist of the situation, burning of the skin is the only real warning we get when we have had too much sun exposure. The high SPF UVB screens thus leaving us without an important warning sign of over-exposure.

Adding the positive and negative factors mentioned above together makes it clear that there should be an urgent need to reconsider the approach the world has developed to deal sensibly with sun exposure.

 

The answer in solving this riddle probably lies in the simple concept of the maintenance of balance. A health-promoting balance can be usually achieved if we let common sense prevail and if extreme approaches to anything are avoided.

In the modern day Western thinking, medicine depends on so-called Evidence Based Medicine to design effective preventative and treatment strategies. It should be no different for beauty therapy.

However, it takes a great deal of time and even more money to accumulate the sort of evidence required to prove the difference between effective and excessive sun exposure. Fortunately we do not need to wait for big trials and lots of specific evidence to act now and do the right thing. We have all of the tools to do the right thing right at hand now.

People need 15 minutes of direct sun exposure to face, neck and arms in near-midday sun on most days in summer to produce sufficient quantities of vitamin D. After the exposure they need to cover up with comfortable protective clothing and appropriate sun screening lotions. At night the vitamin A and antioxidants should be applied to restore the vitamin A household in the skin and to mop up any excessive free radicals accumulated during the day.

These three steps form a solid unit which helps to ensure the critical production and preservation of Vitamins A and D, whilst protecting and promoting the delicate cell health of the skin. 

It is always important to think of the balances required in almost everything we do in life. Equally, we can be assured when practicing any excess it will predictably end in problems.

Vitamin D appears to have become the Cinderella of the vitamins because of incomplete thinking or a critical lack of facts about the essential preventative factors involved in cancer formation.

As beauty therapists it is vital to understand the importance of all of the vitamins human skin has evolved with.

Clients need level-headed advice and sensible and moderate habits to follow, especially when it comes to vitamin D. Perhaps the real key to solving this conundrum is to start maintenance of skin cells before they have suffered any damage.

So let us not forget vitamin D. Make sure everyone has enough of it and together with the vitamin A, procure the best quality skin to reduce the ever present ogre of skin- and other cancers.