Heliotherapy… The Positive Effects of the Sun
We all know that the sun can make us feel happier and more relaxed. Vitamin D sufficiency, along with diet and exercise, has emerged as one of the most important preventive factors in human health. Hundreds of studies now link Vitamin D deficiency with significantly higher rates of many forms of cancer, as well as heart disease, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and many other conditions and diseases.

Vitamin D Comes From the Sun
Sunlight is the best and only natural source of Vitamin D. Unlike dietary or supplementary Vitamin D, when you get your “D” from sunshine your body takes what it needs, and de-metabolizes any extra. That’s critical – as Vitamin D experts and many health groups now advocate 1,000 to 2,000 IU of Vitamin D daily – five to ten times the old recommendations. Because too much “D” from dietary supplements may cause the body to over-process calcium, nobody really knows for sure how much supplementary Vitamin D is safe. On the other hand, sunlight-induced Vitamin D doesn’t have that problem – it’s the way your body is intended to make it!

Nature’s Skin Protection
It is commonly known that our natural tanning process provides protection against burning. Unlike some sunscreens, a tan provides reliable, full-spectrum (UVA & UVB) protection from burning. Your natural tan offers protection that doesn’t rub, sweat or wear off the way sun screen lotion can.

Prevention of Some Cancers
People who live in regions with more sunlight have been found to have a lower incidence of death from ovarian, breast and colon cancers than those who live in places with less sunlight.

Vitamin D, Osteoporosis Prevention
Sunlight and sun-tanning beds that emit UVB are reliable sources of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary for our bodies to use the calcium we get in our diet. This vitamin is found in few foods. One study showed that Vitamin D was largely lacking in the fortified milk supply in the U.S. Your skin produces Vitamin D naturally when exposed to sunlight. A sunscreen of SPF 8 or higher has been found to disable and halt the skin’s ability to produce Vitamin D.

Seasonal Depression Therapy
Sunlight and simulated sunlight “doses” are a successful treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder, known as the “winter blues.” Sunlight and simulated sunlight exposure has been found to improve low winter moods. Indoor lighting, on the other hand, is generally perceived by the brain as near darkness.

Reduce Symptoms of PMS
Exposure to bright light has been found to help alleviate some symptoms of Pre Menstrual Syndrome, such as mild depression and mood swings, irritability, physical discomfort, and social withdrawal.

A Strong Biological Clock for Optimal Health
Having well-synchronized circadian rhythms, or biological clock, results in a better quality sleep, daytime alertness, and optimal health in general. The more sunlight exposure you get during the day, the more in-sync with your environment your circadian rhythms will be.

Psoriasis Treatment
Exposure to UV-light is commonly prescribed by doctors to alleviate the unsightly appearance and discomfort of psoriasis. Drugs such as psoralens have been developed to work in conjunction with UV-light treatments. Those with psoriasis should consult their doctor before proceeding with any treatment program.

Jet Lag Prevention
“Doses” of sunlight or simulated sunlight timed carefully upon arrival in a new time zone, can re-set your body’s biological clock resulting in less day time drowsiness and better quality nighttime sleep.

Light Therapy May Combat Fungal Infections, New Evidence Suggests
The discovery in the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans further suggests that UV light therapy, in combination with anti-fungal drug treatments, might offer an effective method to combat a variety of fungal infections, particularly those of the skin or nails, said HHMI investigator Joseph Heitman, M.D., James B. Duke professor of molecular genetics and microbiology and medicine at Duke.

Source: Totally Tan

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In “The Truth About The Recent IARC Report,” we said that a deficient/insufficient blood level of Vitamin D (25-OH-D) plays a critical role in the development of more than 60 diseases and medical conditions. But why is Vitamin D so critical for our health and wellbeing? Because every cell and organ in the human body requires an optimal level of Vitamin D to function normally.

Let’s play the “What If” game for a moment: What if one of the large pharmaceutical companies announced that they had developed a new wonder drug that promised to reduce the incidence and mortality of more than 60 diseases and conditions? Needless to say, the stock price of the company would skyrocket and they would be hard-pressed to keep up with the demand for this product.

But, what if the company announced that, for every 500 deaths prevented by this new product, one person might die prematurely each year because of the adverse side effects of the product? Most likely, people would conclude that a benefit-to-risk ratio of 500 to 1 indicates the benefits exceed the risks.

And what if there was an alternative to the new drug that promised the same benefits but it was known to have toxicity problems if ingested in high doses and there had never been a long-term prospective study proving that the alternative is as good as the new drug? It’s quite possible that those two factors might influence people to opt for the wonder drug rather than the alternative.

OK, game over. Back to Vitamin D – also known as …

Mother Nature’s Wonder Drug

Individuals who maintain an optimal health blood level of Vitamin D significantly reduce their risk of developing many diseases and conditions. Recent studies show that people with the highest Vitamin D blood levels dramatically reduce their risk of dying from any cause. We have long recommended maintaining a Vitamin D blood level of 150 nmol/L (60 ng/mL) even when most Vitamin D experts were only recommending 75 nmol/L (30 ng/mL). Although we are pleased most experts are currently recommending our target level, new evidence leads us to believe that 150 nmol/L (60 ng/mL) should really be the minimum level for optimal health and that the new target level should be 175 – 200 nmol/L (70 – 80 ng/mL). (And, we predict that new target level will be universally adopted within the next five years.)

So, what is the average Vitamin D level?
A recent study indicates that the average Vitamin D (25-OH-D) blood level worldwide is 54 nmol/L (21.5 ng/mL). Another study showed that – in sunlight-drenched southern Arizona -the average level was only 10 nmol/L higher at 64 nmol/L (25.6 ng/mL). Clearly, there is a huge gap between the level required for optimal health and the average level found around the world, even for individuals who live in sunlight-rich environments year-round.

What does the average Vitamin D level tell us?
The huge gap between the actual and recommended blood level of Vitamin D tells us three things. First, it tells us that the recommendation for five to 15 minutes of sunlight exposure to your face and hands two or three times per week is woefully inadequate. Second, it tells us that either people are not taking daily Vitamin D supplements or they are not taking a supplement with a dose high enough to raise their Vitamin D to the optimal health level. Third, it tells us that the recommendation by the dermatology community to avoid UVR exposure and to slather on sunscreen every day of the year has taken a toll on the health of the public.

How can we get enough Vitamin D?
You cannot get enough Vitamin D from the food you eat or the Vitamin D-fortified milk you drink to reach an optimal health level. You must obtain the equivalent of approximately 3,000 IUs each day just to break even with the daily demand for Vitamin D and 80 percent of this amount (2,400 IUs) must come from UVR stimulation. Therefore, the question that must be answered about UVR-induced Vitamin D is not whether there is a need for Vitamin D stimulated by UVR exposure but how to get the required UVR exposure. Also, it is very important to remember that there has never been a reported incidence of Vitamin D toxicity from UVR stimulation – but there is a very real danger of toxicity if supplements are used. Here are the two options for UVR exposure:

• Uncontrolled ultraviolet radiation exposure. Although we can stimulate production of Vitamin D through exposure to sunlight, this source is uncontrolled. By that, we mean there is no way for the average person to accurately determine a “safe” level of sunlight exposure to accomplish Vitamin D synthesis without burning. In addition, sunlight is an unreliable source of Vitamin D-effective energy because it varies by time of day, season of the year, weather conditions and geography. Similarly, there have been numerous studies indicating that Vitamin D levels rise during the spring and summer, and decrease during the fall and winter – therefore, sunlight cannot be depended upon to stimulate an optimal health level of Vitamin D year-round.
• Controlled ultraviolet radiation exposure. Professional indoor tanning salons utilize equipment in which the maximum allowable dose of UVR that can be delivered during a tanning session is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). And, the conservative FDA-recommended exposure schedule has a built-in safety margin of 50 percent to help prevent overexposure. In addition, the skin type/subtype of each individual is measured prior to allowing the person to tan, so as to determine the initial session time that will avoid overexposure. The bottom line is that all critical variables are carefully controlled by a professional indoor tanning salon – that is why salons are the only year-round public source of controlled ultraviolet radiation exposure.

Where’s All the UVR and Vitamin D Research?

One of the questions that scientists conducting studies utilizing Vitamin D supplements don’t want to ask is: What if, five to 10 years down the road, we find out that supplemental Vitamin D doesn’t have the biological potency that UVR-induced Vitamin D offers? Think about it – if the premise of these types of studies is that Vitamin D has the ability to prevent a variety of diseases and conditions, wouldn’t it make sense to determine whether or not supplemental-induced Vitamin D is as good as UVR-induced Vitamin D?

We think so – which is why we asked a leading Vitamin D scientist why he wasn’t including UVR-induced Vitamin D in his studies at a recent meeting we attended. The answer was that, although such research would be a great idea, he “didn’t need the grief” that would come from dermatologists if he included UVR exposure in the protocol.

So there you have it. One vested-interest group – dermatologists – is hindering research comparing whether supplement-induced Vitamin D has the same biological potency as UVR-induced Vitamin D.

Here’s what is needed ASAP: an answer to the critical question of whether increasing the average Vitamin D blood level of the American public to at least 150 nmol/L (60 ng/mL) via supplemental-induced Vitamin D has the same biological potency as does reaching this level via UVR-induced Vitamin D. Once that question has been answered, the required dose of the Vitamin D supplement and/or the required time/frequency for UVR exposure can be determined.

A simple benefit versus risk ratio supports our position. Our data shows that 500 to 1,000 individuals die prematurely each year due to the adverse consequences of underexposure to UVR for every one individual who dies prematurely each year due to the adverse consequences of overexposure to UVR. And you don’t have to just take our word for it. A recent study, titled “Estimating the Global Disease Burden Due to Ultraviolet Radiation,” stated that the relative risk of underexposure to UVR was 3,000 times greater than the relative risk of overexposure to UVR. This new data indicates that our 500 – 1,000 to 1 ratio between the risks of underexposure and overexposure to UVR is actually too conservative – a 2,000 – 3,000 to 1 benefit versus risk ratio is more realistic.

What We Believe

Based on our decade-long, comprehensive study of Vitamin D, we conclude that a combination of supplements and routine, controlled ultraviolet radiation exposure is the best way to maintain an optimal-health blood level of Vitamin D year-round.

If every individual would take a 1,000 – 2,000 IU supplement each day and tan for at least 10 minutes per session (after building up a level of photoprotective facultative pigmentation, or tan, gradually) once or twice each week, the incidence of Vitamin D insufficiency would be significantly reduced. In addition, this would dramatically improve the health status of millions of people. (Of course, individuals with darker skin or those who are older will require both a higher supplemental dose and more frequent tanning sessions in order to maintain an optimal health Vitamin D level year-round.)

The bottom line is: Controlled ultraviolet radiation exposure is good for what ails you.

Source: Looking Fit Magazine

- Eyewear protects your eyes from potentially harmful ultraviolet light.

- UV damage is cumulative.

- The short-term health risk is corneal burns, which is a sunburn on the surface of the eye. It shows up within a few hours of exposure and is characterized by increased sensitivity, a burning sensation and excessive tearing. The effects are apparently temporary and usually disappear within a day or so.

- The long-term health risk includes brunescent cataracts. Brunescent cataracts are a clouding or pigmentation of the lens within the eye. They are slow to develop, usually occurring over a matter of years, but they are permanent. The clouding affects night vision and also can alter perception of color. Cataract surgery is the only known cure.

There are two common misconceptions regarding eyewear. The first is that eyelids will tan. The second is that closing the eyelid protects the eye. The simple truth is that it does not, therefore, protective eyewear is imperative.

The benefit of not using protective eyewear (no line on the bridge of your nose) doesn’t outweigh the risks involved (longterm damage to the eyes).

Source: Looking Fit Magazine

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Tanning lotion is generally used before tanning out in the sun or in a tanning booth or bed. People utilize indoor tanning lotions to maximize their tanning experience depending on how far they want to take their tan. Indoor tanning lotion contains an array of ingredients that can be utilized in different ways. Most start off with mineral oil as a base and then additional ingredients are added based on the need of the user.

Protection
Many indoor tanning lotions offer great skin care ingredients that help protect you from wrinkles and dry skin.

Aromatherapy
Many indoor tanning lotions are designed to help relax the user. One way to go about this is by utilizing aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses infused herbs and plants to create a relaxing or invigorating scent to utilize while tanning. The aromatherapy is often infused with other ingredients and releases scent as it is spread onto exposed areas on the body.

Color
Many people use indoor tanning lotions to obtain color. This can be done with a tingler or bronzer. A tingler works as the lotion is applied to the skin. It slowly causes the blood vessels to dilate giving the skin a temporary reddened or flushed appearance. Bronzers also add color. This can be temporary color that washes off or a sunless tanning lotion that adds color to the skin. Some indoor tanning lotions have color streaks and glitters that offer a splash of color for those who want a shimmer shine to their skin. The glitter also acts as a refractive prism that helps the body absorb rays, lending to a deeper tan. DHA in combination with vitamins A and E can also lead to a darker more deeper long lasting tan.

Convenience
Many people utilize indoor tanning lotion for its convenience. Some of the bottles are attractive with stylish designs and artwork on them. They also come in a variety of sizes that fit easily into bags and purses so they can easily be brought along. Many have non-spill caps so that more lotion doesn’t spill out than what is needed.

Hydration
Many indoor tanning lotions include added moisturizers that prevent the skin from drying out when tanning or being outdoors in the sun. Hemp seed oil, antioxidants, essential oil extracts, botanical extracts and natural emollients are added to the lotion base to provide continuous moisture before, during and after the tanning process.

Source: LiveStrong

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- Contact lens should be removed before your session.

- Please remove makeup before your scheduled tanning session a clean faces tans best.

- Please remove all jewellery when tanning. It can scratch and damage the acrylics and will leave undesirable tan lines.

- Lotions not approved by this salon are not permitted on our beds.

- Use of tanning unit in conjunction with the consumption of photo toxic drugs is not advised. Please consult your physician and inform attendant of such a change.

- For your health and safety the FDA requires that protective eyewear must be used at all times.

- Please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment (late arrivals may not receive full session).

- Perfumes and cologne should not be applied at least 6hrs prior to a tanning session.

- Please dress and exit the room quickly the next appointment may be waiting.

Source: New York Public Health Information

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