Editing Sunscreen (section)

==== Vitamin D production ====
There are some concerns about potential [[vitamin D deficiency]] arising from prolonged use of sunscreen.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Pfotenhauer KM, Shubrook JH | title = Vitamin D Deficiency, Its Role in Health and Disease, and Current Supplementation Recommendations | journal = The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association | volume = 117 | issue = 5 | pages = 301–305 | date = May 2017 | pmid = 28459478 | doi = 10.7556/jaoa.2017.055 | s2cid = 19068865 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-05-03|title=Sunscreen may cause vitamin D deficiency, says study|url=https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317278|access-date=2021-10-27|website=www.medicalnewstoday.com|archive-date=October 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027150118/https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317278|url-status=live}}</ref> The typical use of sunscreen does not usually result in vitamin D deficiency; however, extensive usage may.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Norval M, Wulf HC | title = Does chronic sunscreen use reduce vitamin D production to insufficient levels? | journal = The British Journal of Dermatology | volume = 161 | issue = 4 | pages = 732–736 | date = October 2009 | pmid = 19663879 | doi = 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09332.x | s2cid = 12276606 }}</ref> Sunscreen prevents ultraviolet light from reaching the skin, and even moderate protection can substantially reduce vitamin D synthesis.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Holick MF | title = Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease | journal = The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition | volume = 80 | issue = 6 Suppl | pages = 1678S–1688S | date = December 2004 | pmid = 15585788 | doi = 10.1093/ajcn/80.6.1678S | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sayre RM, Dowdy JC | title = Darkness at noon: sunscreens and vitamin D3 | journal = Photochemistry and Photobiology | volume = 83 | issue = 2 | pages = 459–463 | year = 2007 | pmid = 17115796 | doi = 10.1562/2006-06-29-RC-956 | s2cid = 23767593 }}</ref> However, adequate amounts of vitamin D can be obtained via diet or supplements.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-23|title=Vitamin D|url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/|access-date=2022-02-17|website=nhs.uk|language=en|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222112245/https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/|url-status=live}}</ref> Vitamin D overdose is impossible from UV exposure due to an equilibrium the skin reaches in which vitamin D degrades as quickly as it is created.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Holick MF |date=February 2002 |title=Vitamin D: the underappreciated D-lightful hormone that is important for skeletal and cellular health |journal=Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity |volume=9 |issue=1 |pages=87–98 |doi=10.1097/00060793-200202000-00011|s2cid=87725403 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Holick MF | title = Sunlight and vitamin D: both good for cardiovascular health | journal = Journal of General Internal Medicine | volume = 17 | issue = 9 | pages = 733–735 | date = September 2002 | pmid = 12220371 | pmc = 1495109 | doi = 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2002.20731.x }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Holick MF | title = Vitamin D deficiency | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 357 | issue = 3 | pages = 266–281 | date = July 2007 | pmid = 17634462 | doi = 10.1056/NEJMra070553 | s2cid = 18566028 }}</ref>

High-SPF sunscreens filter out most UVB radiation, which triggers vitamin D production in the skin. However, clinical studies show that regular sunscreen use does not lead to vitamin D deficiency. Even high-SPF sunscreens allow a small amount of UVB to reach the skin, sufficient for vitamin D synthesis. Additionally, brief, unprotected [[sun exposure]] can produce ample vitamin D, but this exposure also risks significant DNA damage and skin cancer. To avoid these risks, vitamin D can be obtained safely through [[Diet (nutrition)|diet]] and supplements. Foods like [[Oily fish|fatty fish]], fortified milk, and orange juice, along with supplements, provide necessary vitamin D without harmful sun exposure.
<ref>{{cite web |title=Does Sunscreen Use Lead to Vitamin D Deficiency? |url=https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sun-protection-and-vitamin-d/#:~:text=UVB%20wavelengths%20happen%20to%20be,maintain%20their%20vitamin%20D%20levels. |website=The Skin Cancer Foundation | date=March 14, 2019 |access-date=2024-07-19}}</ref>

Studies have shown that sunscreen with a high UVA protection factor enabled significantly higher vitamin D synthesis than a low UVA protection factor sunscreen, likely because it allows more UVB transmission.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.genengnews.com/news/are-vitamin-d-levels-jeopardized-by-sunscreen/|title=Are Vitamin D Levels Jeopardized by Sunscreen?|date=2019-05-10|website=GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News|access-date=2019-05-18|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002757/https://www.genengnews.com/news/are-vitamin-d-levels-jeopardized-by-sunscreen/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Young AR, Narbutt J, Harrison GI, Lawrence KP, Bell M, O'Connor C, Olsen P, Grys K, Baczynska KA, Rogowski-Tylman M, Wulf HC, Lesiak A, Philipsen PA | display-authors = 6 | title = Optimal sunscreen use, during a sun holiday with a very high ultraviolet index, allows vitamin D synthesis without sunburn | journal = The British Journal of Dermatology | volume = 181 | issue = 5 | pages = 1052–1062 | date = November 2019 | pmid = 31069787 | pmc = 6899952 | doi = 10.1111/bjd.17888 | s2cid = 148570356 }}</ref>