Anonymous wrote:I'm very fair and grew up at the beach in the 70s. I had malignant melanoma in my mid 20s. Since that time - 30 years - I've been very serious about sunscreen use.
At my annual physical with my internist had low levels of vitamin d and was put on a prescription version of the vitamin. I saw my knee doctor some months after and he lectured me about low levels of vitamin d and sunscreen use. He said I needed to cut back on the sunscreen even though I had malignant melanoma in the past . I'm out several times a week in the sun at the worst part of the day in the summer. I listened to this fool and decided to be clever and skipped putting sunscreen on my lower legs here and there. I didn't put sunscreen on my shins. Within two years I've had different types of skin cancer and precancerous spots removed from my lower legs. No problems anywhere else.
I'm so glad I continued using sun screen. I can't imagine what it would be like to have my melanoma scar on my face. I've also known an older gentleman who had lots of disfiguring procedures on his face as part of his treatment of pre cancerous growths on his face. I'm mid 50s with barely a wrinkle but if you see my lower legs, they look sun damaged.
The cancer concern trumps the vitamin d concern. I'll continue taking my vitamins and using sunscreen.
You obviously have a need for it. Many of us prefer to avoid the toxic chemical load, stay out of the sun at peak times and use protective clothing. Yes, that is the safer route than slathering yourself with toxic chemicals and basking in the sun.