And so, conventional wisdom may not be wisdom after all...

[GOOD_GRIEF]

I have never believed that slathering myself in sunscreen and preventing the development of natural protection on my lily white Irish/English/Dutch/German/Nordic skin was the best idea (there may also be some Native American in there according to the old family bible.) I've always built a tan slowly and naturally, not by sitting still in the sun, but by being active outdoors, shedding layers of clothing as the weather warmed, just as my ancestors did. There's a reason why we turn brown with sun exposure.

I do use a sun screen if I am going to be out all day, but usually only on my shoulders, nose and tops of ears. I'll add other parts of my body if I think it's necessary based on how long I have been or will be out in the sun, and I never use it in my moisturized or makeup, or for just for walking back and forth to work or the stores, or around town at lunch. If I travel closer to the equator, I'll be more liberal with artificial protection, but otherwise, I'm not paranoid about it.

And low and behold, here's someone who thinks I am not nutz!

outsideonline.com/2380751/s...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Me too ...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

“....I'm not paranoid about it.” - no neither am I!

I rarely use it in UK, except like you if I’m out all day. Spain - yes, and NZ - yes more than UK - because of the lack of pollution it does seem more powerful down there!

Sure some will disagree!

[Hidden]

I agree although I am a slopper on of sunscreen after my 20-30mins sunbath these days I think my vit d deficency was originally started when I worked. I had an internal office in a building with hardly any natural light and spent 12 hrs a day minimum. I was like a vampire. I do try and wear my wide rimmed hat and full or three quarter length sleeves but have never been a sun worshipper. A friend of 84 works and sits in the garden and has done for years and no d deficency and only takes paracetamol for an arthitis knee. Hey ho who approached it best?

[scats in reply to Hidden]

Think you need to look at your spell checker Poops!

[Hidden in reply to scats]

Oh dear. I got two was that it? It's been a while since the phone did that. Oops 😱🙄

[Robinsnest72]

Think you meant shirt ha ha

[Mary63]

Very interesting! Before it got to the margarine bit I was thinking hmmm. How many ‘health’ theories which evolved in the latter half of the twentieth century might explain the massive increase in certain diseases?

[SheffieldJane]

Fascinating!

[linda49]

Interesting read. Thanks Good Grief.

[Cross-stitcher]

Fascinating, especially the references to auto-immune disorders. My PMR developed during the dark days of last winter and was diagnosed in March. I am now finding it easy to taper down, after a month (April) at 15mg, and am currently at 9.5, reducing 0,5 every 3 weeks. No pain, no flares, and lots of gentle walking and gardening in the sun.

I love the sun and have always found it lifts the spirits and increases my energy levels and positive outlook, Dark days, on the other hand, bring on SAD. And, maybe it is no co-incidence that my various diagnoses of high BP, Type-2 diabetes and high cholesterol, have always been made around early Spring (I have checked back over my notes and GP records to verify this) ??

[bunnymom]

I love the sun but am sensible. Love to garden and be outside. Makes me feel so much better. Always was leery of what sunscreen chemicals worn all the time might do to me. I do use on my face or a get a mask of spots. Thought I was out of step enjoying my tan. Will be interested to see how the science plays out in this. Thanks!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I slip and slap - but rarely slop ...

[YuliK in reply to PMRpro]

😂😂😂

[nuigini]

Interesting for sure. I rarely use sunscreen and it I do it's only on my my face and shoulders so I guess my six months a year in Panama is a good thing.

It's a little disturbing to read that the vitamin D supplements we're taking may be a waste of time though.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to nuigini]

I don't think they are for us - I know several people who had PMR-type symptoms and they were sorted by vit D supplementation as their level was very low. Ruling out at least one cause of symptoms must be good!!!

[Hidden in reply to nuigini]

I was very low at diagnosis and had large weekly dose for 6 weeks. It really helped me feel better. After each dose I had a really strong few days. As much as pred initially. I think if people are not actually deficient or are taking meds that require supplementation why would they take it?

[Funnyoldworld in reply to Hidden]

In reaching my diagnosis, apart from inflammation markers the only thing my comprehensive raft of blood tests showed was vitamin D deficiency. I'm also on the 6 week, high dose course and my GP advised this would also help alleviate some of my symptoms but it would be slower to get going!

I'm fairly dark skinned and would only use sunscreen if I was going to be out all day or in Mediterranean climates where it feels harsh. X

[Hidden in reply to Funnyoldworld]

Weeks 4 5 & 6 were very good for me. I was sad it ended. L

😋😂😂😂

[Kellthebell]

Ive used coconut oil for years, never burnt!

[Rosbud in reply to Kellthebell]

Oh wow , my Mum always used coconut oil on us kids when we were young and I can't ever remember being burnt and hadn't thought of it for years , thank you for bringing back happy memories for me , just when I needed them xx

[Kellthebell in reply to Rosbud]

Ahh some times mother does know best!! She applied that with love as only a mother can I’m sure! 🥰

[daworm]

I like the sun, we only get a good dose in the short summer here in upper Michigan, the rest of the year it’s layers of clothes...I use very little sunscreen, I don’t burn or get foolish...

[clieder]

What a great read and so much great information. Thank you! Why must we take everything we learn through research to the always/never stage?

[nickm001]

Good article, and I am glad that people are starting to question the idea of sun screen. Thanks for posting.

I have read long time ago that farmers and people who work outdoors rarely get skin cancer, certainly less then general population. Being natural skeptic, I did not believe in sun screen hype and almost never used it. While a kid, we used olive oil for skin protection so it does not get too dry. I don't "burn" but naturally turn into brown, so never really needed sun screen.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to nickm001]

Not so sure about that in Europe: the region I live in where a massive number of people spend a lot of time outside, skiing in winter, climbing the mountains in summer as well as working outside we have the highest rate of skin cancer in Europe.