Vitamin D deficiency - sun exposure not a recommended treatment
According to the recommendation of the Swiss Cancer League and the Swiss Society for Dermatology, exposure to UV rays (sunlight, sunbeds) is not a suitable treatment for vitamin D deficiencies. By taking Vitamin D orally, you can avoid the inevitable skin damage caused by UV rays. Vitamin D supply via drops and capsules is safe and reliable.
In light of the carcinogenic effects of UV exposure, varying sun intensity, as well as the individually different abilities to produce vitamin D, UV radiation is not a recommendable remedy for vitamin D deficiency.
The UVA and UVB filters contained in sunscreens and nourishing creams absorb skin damaging rays and protect against skin cancer. However, these filters prevent the formation of vitamin D in the skin, since UV-B rays are essential for this process.
An SPF of 30 means that 97.5% of the UVB rays are absorbed - as a result vitamin D can barely be produced.
Sunbeds emit mostly and primarily UVA rays. UVA rays are associated with premature skin aging and increased cancer risk and do not lead to vitamin D production in the skin. Thus, no or hardly any vitamin D can be formed with the help of a tanning device.
An optimized vitamin D supply is essential for the prevention of falls and bone fractures and has positive effects on various organ systems at every stage of life.
The insight that vitamin D has important biological functions and can positively affect metabolic pathways shows the importance of a sufficient level of vitamin D in your blood: throughout the year, throughout life.
Source: Barysch MJ, Bischoff-Ferrari H, Hofbauer G, Dummer R, Vitamin D - UV-Strahlung und Hautkrebs, Schweizerische Ärztezeitschrift 2009-90, 36, 1372-1373.