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Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

theguardian.com

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Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#11

Post by xkcd-sucks »

graypegg wrote: post #2

Interesting, the linked paper [0] does show they controlled for physical activity here, since I would assume someone who gets more sun exposure, is outside more. If they really have controlled for that factor, shouldn't we see similar results from people with sedentary lives, but high UV exposure? (possibly by regular use of tanning beds or the like?) Being prescribed UV exposure is an interesting idea for the future…

Related, there were some drugs developed to activate melanin production by hooking in to sunlight damage reaponse related pathways, and they do work for light-free tanning. But they were then found to significantly and meangingfully increase libido in men and women, so now there are follow up projects to develop these for erectile dysfunction / low libido. (You probably haven't heard of these because they're all peptides which generally have to be injected without a lot of development work and luck, but the shocking success ofsemaglutide and friends means maybe injection-only peptide lifestyle drugs have a market)

As a general just-so-story rule of thumb to be discounted in the face of evidence to the contrary, stimulus or stress that's a consequence of doing stuff generally acts as a "growth factor" even if it causes slight damage, including exercise, heat and cold shock, and sunlight.

Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#12

Post by olalonde »

qingcharles wrote: post #7
graypegg wrote: post #2

Interesting, the linked paper [0] does show they controlled for physical activity here, since I would assume someone who gets more sun exposure, is outside more. If they really have controlled for that factor, shouldn't we see similar results from people with sedentary lives, but high UV exposure? (possibly by regular use of tanning beds or the like?) Being prescribed UV exposure is an interesting idea for the future…

I feel like they should prescribe sunlight for prisoners. I was held for 10 years without seeing the sun, and many jails and prisons are built on budgets that don't allow for any sunlight.

Do you mean that your cell didn't have sunlight or that you literally never went outside? I was watching a documentary on ADX Florence, which is known for its maximum-security isolation, and prisoners were allowed one hour outside per day.

Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#13

Post by WillPostForFood »

ilaksh wrote: post #8

Is it just full spectrum light or specific UV sections? I wonder if future building codes will require some type of intermittent full spectrum or UV light in certain areas. Maybe in a bathroom with a timer that shuts it off a few seconds after someone enters.

Glass blocks most of UVB and a chunk of UVA, so there isn't currently a good solution for indoor full spectrum light exposure.

Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#14

Post by russellbeattie »

I've always been skeptical of dermatologist insistence that sun exposure is unequivocally bad. It never made sense. If human health and lifespan were so negatively affected by sunlight, we would all be covered in fur, or everyone would be as dark skinned as populations living near the equator.

Like everything else in life, "moderation in all things" is the best rule to follow. If you spend your life getting deep dark tans or don't take sensible precautions against sunburns, expect melanoma. If you avoid sunlight like a cave dweller, expect deficiencies in everything from vitamins to mental health.

Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#15

Post by amelius »

xkcd-sucks wrote: post #11
graypegg wrote: post #2

Interesting, the linked paper [0] does show they controlled for physical activity here, since I would assume someone who gets more sun exposure, is outside more. If they really have controlled for that factor, shouldn't we see similar results from people with sedentary lives, but high UV exposure? (possibly by regular use of tanning beds or the like?) Being prescribed UV exposure is an interesting idea for the future…

Related, there were some drugs developed to activate melanin production by hooking in to sunlight damage reaponse related pathways, and they do work for light-free tanning. But they were then found to significantly and meangingfully increase libido in men and women, so now there are follow up projects to develop these for erectile dysfunction / low libido. (You probably haven't heard of these because they're all pept…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanotan_II

Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#16

Post by pazimzadeh »

ilaksh wrote: post #8

Is it just full spectrum light or specific UV sections? I wonder if future building codes will require some type of intermittent full spectrum or UV light in certain areas. Maybe in a bathroom with a timer that shuts it off a few seconds after someone enters.

You want UVB and not UVA, but UVB is weaker than UVA so all sunblocking type products necessarily enrich your exposure to the bad kind.

The time when the ratio of UVB to UVA is highest (best time) between 10 am to 2 pm, or when your shadow is not longer than your height.

So 20 mins in the sun at noon without sunblock is best, and after that if you’re pale then slather on the sunscreen.

Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#17

Post by tomohelix »

This is no surprise to me since the UV here is actually sunlight related. Lots of co-conditions that affect it too. The paper said they adjusted their numbers for socioeconomic factors but still probably that adjustment won't be perfect.

Anyway, from all I have learned and done, the best health advice that I think applies to most people is moderation is the best. Trying too much and too hard on something will just backfire. Eating only meat and milk will cause cancer sure, but eating only vegetables and beans will also affect your health, namely nutritional deficiency. Etc. and etc.

I will just live normally while adjust things within limits and enjoy life while it is still good.

Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#18

Post by zolbrek »

qingcharles wrote: post #7
graypegg wrote: post #2

Interesting, the linked paper [0] does show they controlled for physical activity here, since I would assume someone who gets more sun exposure, is outside more. If they really have controlled for that factor, shouldn't we see similar results from people with sedentary lives, but high UV exposure? (possibly by regular use of tanning beds or the like?) Being prescribed UV exposure is an interesting idea for the future…

I feel like they should prescribe sunlight for prisoners. I was held for 10 years without seeing the sun, and many jails and prisons are built on budgets that don't allow for any sunlight.

That is rough. Perhaps a very stupid question but did you have access to Vitamin D supplementation during that time?

Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#19

Post by olivermuty »

torstenvl wrote: post #9

> Vitamin D is manufactured in our bodies when the UVB rays in sunlight react with a chemical in the skin called 7-dehydrocholesterol. Bone and muscle cells use it to regulate levels of calcium and phosphorus, which are needed to keep them strong and healthy If you are at all active over age 30 — by which I mean you EVER run, jump, or otherwise put pressure on your spine — you need to get lots of sunlight. Most peopl…

Most western diets gets more than enough d-vitamin through food additives. Just a couple of slices of cheese per day and some milk is all the d-vit you need here apparently.

The old folk saying is to take d-vitamin supplements in all months that has an R in them. Probably sound advice

Re: Unexpected benefits of sun exposure on skin

#20

Post by reducesuffering »

pazimzadeh wrote: post #16
ilaksh wrote: post #8

Is it just full spectrum light or specific UV sections? I wonder if future building codes will require some type of intermittent full spectrum or UV light in certain areas. Maybe in a bathroom with a timer that shuts it off a few seconds after someone enters.

You want UVB and not UVA, but UVB is weaker than UVA so all sunblocking type products necessarily enrich your exposure to the bad kind. The time when the ratio of UVB to UVA is highest (best time) between 10 am to 2 pm, or when your shadow is not longer than your height. So 20 mins in the sun at noon without sunblock is best, and after that if you’re pale then slather on the sunscreen.

The article specifically mentions how nitric oxide is only released from UVA activation.
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