A release from Case Western reports that isn the study, 20 participants were randomized to receive a placebo pill or 50,000, 100,000, or 200,000 IU of vitamin D one hour after a small UV lamp “sunburn” on their inner arm. Researchers followed up with the participants 24, 48, 72 hours and 1 week after the experiment and collected skin biopsies for further testing. Participants who consumed the highest doses of vitamin D had long-lasting benefits — including less skin inflammation 48 hours after the burn. Participants with the highest blood levels of vitamin D also had less skin redness and a jump in gene activity related to skin barrier repair.

The release quotes Kurt Lu, MD, senior author on the study and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, as saying, “We found benefits from vitamin D were dose-dependent. We hypothesize that vitamin D helps promote protective barriers in the skin by rapidly reducing inflammation. What we did not expect was that at a certain dose, vitamin D not only was capable of suppressing inflammation, it was also activating skin repair genes.”

The trial is the first to describe acute anti-inflammatory benefits from taking vitamin D. According to the authors, despite widespread attention given to vitamin D deficiency, “there is a lack of evidence demonstrating that intervention with vitamin D is capable of resolving acute inflammation.” By measuring gene activity in the biopsies, the researchers also uncovered a potential mechanism behind how vitamin D aids skin repair. The results suggest vitamin D increases skin levels of an anti-inflammatory enzyme, arginase-1. The enzyme enhances tissue repair after damage and helps activate other anti-inflammatory proteins.

The study may have people flocking to vitamin supplement aisles, but Lu stresses that the trial tested very high doses of vitamin D that far exceed daily allowances. The Food and Drug Administration’s recommended adult daily allowance for vitamin D is 400 IU. Said Lu, “I would not recommend at this moment that people start taking vitamin D after sunburn based on this study alone. But, the results are promising and worthy of further study.” Lu and colleagues are planning additional studies that could inform treatment plans for burn patients.

“As a practicing dermatologist for over 20 years, I am regularly surprised when patients tell me they love sunbathing and spend hours in the direct sun, that SPF isn’t really important in suntan lotion or that tanning beds aren’t really too risky. When it comes to skin safe sun habits, people have a lot of misinformation,” says dermatologist Meryl Joerg, MD, of Advanced Dermatology PC.

“Many people seem to know that lying out in the sun for hours and getting a blistering sunburn is not good for their skin. Fewer seem to know that even getting a nice brown tan is also bad, ” Joerg says.

Following are four common misconceptions about sun related skin risks and prevention.

Getting a “base tan” prevents sunburn.

According to Joerg: “This is false. A base tan itself causes damage to the skin. Repeated exposure to UV radiation, even without a sunburn, causes wrinkling and may lead to cancer later in life.”  While many people associate a suntan with wealth and success, the truth is that a tan is simply the result of sun damage. It is evidence that your skin has been exposed to ultraviolet radiation. “We advise our patients to use a self-tanner for a summer glow,” Joerg says. “This way you’ll get that tanned look without any damage to your skin.”

 The higher the sunscreen SPF the better.

The sun protection factor, or SPF, refers only to UVB rays. To get UVA protection, a sunscreen labeled ‘broad spectrum’ or one that contains a physical block like titanium dioxide is required. UVB protection doesn’t increase proportionately with the SPF number. Joerg explains that SPF 30 screens about ninety-seven percent of the UVB rays, whereas SPF 15 screens ninety-three percent. Joerg recommends SPF 50 in the summer months and SPF 30 or greater year round.

 Sunscreen needs to be applied only once a day.

Using too little sunscreen in effect reduces a product’s strength and leaves the skin exposed to sun damage. Joerg says that “the rule is to apply about an ounce, the approximate amount of a shot glass, over your body and to reapply it every two hours. It is recommended that people apply and reapply sunscreen more often if you’re swimming, sweating or playing sports.”

 Tanning beds are less risky than a day at the beach.

Millions of Americans visit tanning salons every year, and most don’t realize they’re unsafe. According to Joerg, “people who first use a tanning bed before age 35 increase their risk for melanoma by 75 percent.” Many states have put restrictions on tanning beds for people under age 18, and some states require parental consent. “We advise our patients to steer clear of tanning beds altogether,” Joerg says.

“The best defense against sun damaged skin in prevention. The few moments a day needed for protecting your skin from the sun will reduce your risk of skin cancer- and the bonus will be that you will have healthier and younger looking skin.”

Meryl Joerg, M.D., is board certified and specializes in dermatology at Advanced Dermatology P.C. Advanced Dermatology P.C. and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery (New York & New Jersey) is one of the leading dermatology centers in the nation, offering highly experienced physicians in the fields of cosmetic and laser dermatology as well as plastic surgery and state-of-the-art medical technologies. Check here more information.