The answer is Yes!

New research has found that wearing sunscreen—continuously–can reduce the amount of vitamin D a person is able to make. Sunscreens limit the Vitamin D the body produces by blocking ultraviolet rays from the sun.

At least some sunlight is the key to staying healthy.

“I believe that Americans have gone overboard with their fear of the sun. I think that sensible exposure to sunlight is really important for your overall health and well-being,” says Dr. Michael Holick, Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine.

“We looked at individuals that always wore a sunscreen before they went outside. And we found that, indeed at the end of the summer, they were deficient in vitamin D,” says Holick.

“…so we have shown over and over again that adults, even if they’re on a multivitamin, and drinking milk, if they always wear sun protection, or avoid any direct sun exposure, they’re at high risk of developing vitamin D deficiency“.

The most effective way to obtain this vital nutrient is to get your vitamin D from the sun. But how much sun does it take for vitamin D to be optimized?

Experts recommend exposing uncovered arms and legs to bright, mid-day sun between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Exposure of 25% or more of the body’s total skin surface is necessary, but take care in protecting very sensitive areas like the face.

The amount of time needed can be gauged by Vitamin D UV Activation Sensors available from SkinHealth Technology. The sensors are the size of a postage stamp and are easy and convenient to use. Simply apply one to skin or clothing and when the color changes from yellow to red—vitamin D optimization is complete.

Mark Woods (aka “Tikitender”) is a well known person in Flagler Beach. He lives and works steps away from the Atlantic Ocean in Flagler Beach, Florida. He is the superstar bartender of the Golden Lion Cafe, Flagler County’ most awarded restaurant. Mark’s people-skills creative drink-mixing have earned him 4-time honors as Florida’s Favorite Bartender, selected by the readers of Backstage Pass magazine.

Here is the video of Tikitender, he says he’s totally digging SkinHealth Tech’s Vitamin D Sensors:

You can connect with Tikitender Mark Woods at:
twitter: @Tikitender
facebook: Gottiki
on the web: Tikitender.com

U.S. and Austrian researchers suggest classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart may have died from a lack of vitamin D.

According to an article in Medical Problems of Performing Artists, the researchers concluded that at the latitude of Vienna, Austria–where Mozart lived–it is impossible to make vitamin D from solar ultraviolet-B irradiance for about six months of the year.

Mozart died in the winter of 1791 and is reported to have suffered a variety of infectious diseases over the course of his lifetime.

Did a Lack of Sunshine Cut Short the Life and Musical Career of Mozart?
If this theory is accurate–and new vitamin D research in regards to disease suggests that it is—then Mozart’s simple lack of sun exposure eventually caused his demise.

Examining these historical, medical facts about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart may seem abstract in terms of relevance today. However, vitamin D deficiency is just as prevalent now as it was 300 years ago!

In fact, according to SkinHealthTech.com:

Vitamin D deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world.

Three out of every four Americans are likely to be vitamin D deficient.

The health benefits of vitamin D are universally recognized by healthcare professionals.

The most effective way to obtain this vital nutrient is to get your vitamin D from the sun. Natural sunlight is the best source of vitamin D —but how long should one stay in the sun without sun protection?

Skincare experts at SkinHealth Technology, LLC recommend exposing uncovered arms and legs to bright, mid-day sun between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. (Exposure of 25% or more of the body’s total skin surface is necessary and protection of sun sensitive areas, like the face, is recommended.)

To accurately gauge the necessary length of time on the sun, apply a Natural Vitamin D UV Activation Sensor to skin or clothing. When the sensor turns red—it’s time to apply sunscreen or get out of the sun.

Unfortunately, it’s too late for Mozart—but starting today–do your part to keep the music going in your life!

People who suffer from rosacea know that outdoor summer activities bring the potential for full blown flare-ups that can last for days or even weeks. Heat, humidity and sun exposure combined with outdoor pastimes like boating or playing volleyball don’t just cause flushing – they can also aggravate other rosacea symptoms. Be prepared to give your skin the gentle treatment that is required to offset the stress that summer brings.

If you are not already using a daily sunscreen, now is a good time to find one. Look for a fragrance and oil-free product that provides an SPF of at least 15 (preferably higher) and that provides broad spectrum protection. SkinHealth Technology’s UV SkinCare Facial Light Lotion Sunscreen 35 SPF is a great broad spectrum choice. This natural sunscreen is formulated with added skincare benefits so it will also moisturize and soothe the skin. Apply the product liberally and reapply at least every two hours. Give your sunscreen some backup by wearing a broad brimmed hat and sunglasses to shade the face and eyes.

Another summer skincare essential for rosacea is a barrier-repair emollient to protect the skin and help it recover from environmental effects such as windburn. SkinHealth Technology’s BruiseCare products are ideal for this use. The same ingredients that fortify the skin against bruising work to reduce the redness and soothe stinging, irritated skin. Apply as often as needed, including bedtime.

While enjoying the warm weather be sure to avoid becoming overheated. Seek an air conditioned place to cool down if you feel flushed. Try spraying your skin with cool water or covering your face with a damp cloth to help calm a flare-up from hot outdoor activities. Sipping a cool drink or chewing on ice chips can also help to bring your body temperature down.

For more tips on keeping the adverse effects of hot weather from flaring your rosacea, take a look at the National Rosacea Society’s brochure, Coping with Rosacea.

The healthful importance of vitamin D is broadly understood. So how should you fortify your body with this nutrient? Should you take a supplement or expose your skin to the sun? The last four words of that question probably stimulated a knee-jerk answer – “sun will damage my skin so supplements must be the best way to get vitamin D.”

Wrong.

Although the sun’s damaging effects on the skin are well documented, some sun is highly beneficial to your total health. Healthy moderation is the key to sun exposure.

The sun is the best source of vitamin D, because you attain more and it lasts in your system twice as long.

According to Dr. Michael F. Holick, if you expose your arms and your legs to the sun for a short period of time (well before you burn), your body will produce between 2,000 and 4,000 IU of vitamin D. Since it lasts twice as long, these amounts could be doubled to make a direct comparison to a supplement. In a bathing suit, the dose jumps to between 10,000 and 25,000 IU.

Dr. Holick goes on to say that there are two other reasons to use the sun as your primary method to optimize your vitamin D level. There are vitamin D–related substances called “photoisomers” that cannot be attained by supplements. These substances, which are made in the skin, are currently being studied and could offer considerable health benefits. Lastly, the sun does not allow the possibility of vitamin D toxicity. Although it is possible, in rare instances, to take too much vitamin D by supplement–you cannot overdose by sun-generated vitamin D.

Attaining your vitamin D from the sun raises a quetstion:

“How much sun is enough?”

Since your geographic location and the time of year will greatly affect the intensity of the rays, use the new Natural Vitamin D UV Activation Sensors by SkinHealth Technology to accurately gauge the in-sun time needed. These sensors change color when exposed to the same wavelengths of UV light that signal your body to develop vitamin D. When the sensor turns from yellow to red, you have been in the sun long enough for your body to generate a full dose of vitamin D, but not so long that sun burning begins. By spending a determined amount of time in the bright, mid-day sun with your arms and legs (roughly 25% of your skin) exposed two or three times a week, you will optimize your vitamin D levels.

The bottom line is that natural sunshine generates higher amounts of vitamin D with longer lasting benefits. Yes, the sun has a healthy side if you use it with caution.

The two are often used interchangeably, however, technically speaking, acne is a skin disease and pimples are one of its symptoms.

Acne vulgaris occurs when the skin produces too much oil, or sebum, in the hair follicles, causing them to become congested. This produces an attractive environment for bacteria to grow and the hair follicle becomes inflamed. This inflammation erupts on the skin in the form of:

Seborrhea – scaly red skin

Comedones – blackheads and whiteheads

Papules – pinheads

Pustules – pimples

Nodules or Cysts – large papules

Most of these symptoms respond well to acne treatments with micronized benzoyl peroxide, such as AcneCare ClearTech Treatment by SkinHealth Technology.

Micronized benzoyl peroxide reaches deep into the pores, clearing out sebum and killing bacteria. Botanicals and anti-oxidants soothe and reduce the redness and inflammation on and below the skin’s surface. AcneCare Clean Screen Protective Lotion is a great follow-up to the ClearTech Treatment. It provides 35 SPF UVB and broad spectrum UVA protection from sun sensitivity that benzoyl peroxide can cause, plus it’s a perfect oil-free moisturizer for acne prone skin.

Summer is here, so finding the right sunscreen is important to avoid skin damage. Protection from both UVA and UVB light is critical to total skin health.

The Ultra Violet-B spectrum of light is responsible for skin burning and establishes the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of a sunscreen. The number on the bottle indicates the protection against the burning rays.

Perhaps more important than the SPF, Ultra Violet A protection is not so simple. This particular spectrum of sunlight won’t burn your skin, is not calculated in the SPF number, and produces long term damage. It may also be most responsible for some skin cancers. Currently, there are no labeling standards for UVA blocking. You have to read more of the package label to determine if it’s a UVA sunscreen.

Skip the general copy that says “UVA/UVB protection” or even “broad spectrum”. Most sunscreens protect against some UVA rays, but often it’s not enough. You need to know how much screening is provided against this invisible health risk.

The best way to determine UVA protection for traditional products is to look at the ingredient listing and specifically these particular active ingredients–

Avobenzone

Titanium Dioxide

Zinc Oxide

The most effective, cosmetically pleasing, and least controversial of the three is Avobenzone. For high UVA screening, look for 3% of this ingredient.

There are a number of sunscreens available on the market that contain one, or a combination, of these UVA sunscreens. A new formula takes it a step further. It tells you exactly how much UVA protection exists in the bottle by using the FDA proposed star system – one to four stars of UVA protection.

This sunscreen, called UV SkinCare Facial Light Sunscreen Lotion (35 SPF), provides the highest UVA protection (4-star) available. It’s found primarily in dermatologists’ offices. The formula has a long list of other impressive benefits and is 90% natural.

So, whether you are at your local drug store, discount store, or medical office– reading the back label of a sunscreen product will reveal the best formula. Look for the active ingredients and their percentage to determine if it’s a UVA sunscreen.