Sun Exposure, Photoaging, Health & Longevity - Part I

May 28

One Esthetician’s Perspective

I close my eyes and turn my face toward the sun. Its warmth bathes my face and soothes my entire being. A word comes to mind- glory. I take in the sun’s glow and breathe in the complimentary smells of the summer day- green grass, warm earth. I am soothed and calmed by the comfort these sensory signals cue my mind and body. My breathing and heart rate both slow, aligning with my mind’s present state. Within a few moments, I question my compulsion to turn my face toward the sun- I’ve been trained to avoid it. If I’m being honest, it has occurred to me that I should disrobe. I am compelled for more…more exposed skin, more sunlight, more warmth. I am left with a question. How can something as natural as the day is long, and that I am instinctively compelled to do (a fact I know deep in my bones), have become a personal and professional conflict of interest?

Am I alone here?

I don’t challenge the widely accepted fact that the sun causes 80% of photoaging [1]. Let’s lay that out on the table. As estheticians, we have been trained since the 1980s to regurgitate safety recommendations that our clients use a “thick layer” of SPF daily to exposed skin, regardless of season, activity or exposure. While we’re at it, don’t forget a hat, long sleeves, umbrella, and reapplication Q 2 hours- a practice started in Australia called the Slip, Slap, Slop Campaign. Globally, skin care companies were happy to comply with the growing fear of skin cancer, resulting in a nearly 15.5 billion dollar market today, and predicted to grow to 30 billion by 2030 [2]. Data, however, to support this widely adopted practice to prevent skin cancer are inconsistent as cited in this 2023 study:

“There is strong evidence that supports that sunscreen use significantly reduces the risk of squamous cell carcinoma [15]. The evidence for sunscreen reducing the risk of basal cell carcinoma is not as strong; however, it has been suggested that sunscreen may reduce the rate of multiple occurrences of basal cell carcinoma [15]. The evidence is very unclear regarding sunscreen use and the development of melanoma, as there are even several studies that find a positive association between sunscreen use and melanoma development [16,17,18,19].”[3] Further, there is a phenomenon called the Melanoma Paradox which claims lack of sun exposure leading to increased risk of death from Malignant Melanoma related to a decrease in critical immune-modulating stimulatory capacities of the sun.

Wait. The sun may protect against dying from melanoma? [8] I’m listening.

Adding to my curiosity, a recent study out of the UK demonstrated compelling evidence that full spectrum UV exposure is associated with a decrease of total mortality from all causes, including cancers. You can watch that video here. “...just released from Dermatologist Richard Weller, from U of E in Scotland, if everyone in the 419k cohort avoided UV light and were followed for 15 years it would save 39 deaths from melanoma at the expense of 2,982 deaths from everything else.”[4]

Mic drop.

And then there’s that Circadian Cycle- A Hot Topic Among Functional Medicine Practitioners

So what does exposure to full-spectrum sun do for us? Morning sunlight is a mechanism for stimulating serotonin, our feel good and alertness hormone. The awakening of serotonin yin in the morning sets the stage for its yang- melatonin, our sleep hormone. Darkness stimulates the conversion of serotonin to melatonin, to allow us to have restorative sleep and therapeutic benefits. It is recommended to experience natural light each day in the morning, and natural darkness sans blue light at night to help regulate our 24 hour circadian rhythm [5,6].

What about Vitamin D?

As we know, we synthesize Vitamin D in our skin when we are in the sun, and store it in our adipose tissue for use as the body calls for it. I will suggest that the fact our body stores Vitamin D is related to its critical value to our body. In fact, every cell in the body has a receptor for Vitamin D. On a sunny summer day, you might gain up to 50,000 IU of Vitamin D in just 15-30 minutes of exposure to be stored for future use. Darker Fitzpatrick Types require additional time in the sun to synthesize the same Vitamin D. Any excess is broken down by the body [8]. Fun fact- exercising in winter four days a week can preserve enough active Vitamin D to be recruited by our organs and tissues for various functions [9]. Additional findings suggest that Vitamin D levels directly influence the aging and healthspan process by mitigating telomere length- a process directly related to cell senescence and aging [10]. On the other side, Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis, SAD, clinical depression, suicidal ideation, and various cancers. [11] Recognizing the importance of this critical nutrient, I will point out here that the benefits of the sun go well deeper than the need for Vitamin D synthesis.

A Missing Link of Health from the Modern False-Light Lifestyle?

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) is a neuropeptide found in the pituitary gland as well as in a collection of skin and immune cells. MSH is released as a result of sun exposure as well as in response to visible sunlight. It plays a leading role in protective pigment but more noteworthy, is its effect on inflammation and immunity. The immunomodulatory effects of MSH are thought to be the reason skin infections, rashes and cancers respond to UV light treatment. [11] Proponents of sunlight exposure reference this critical peptide as a key player in the prevention of “darkness based diseases” such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, diabetes and cancer. For a deeper dive, you can listen to Dr. Jack Kruse Here.

What’s Next? Heliotherapy to Make a Return?

If we can’t deny the aging risks of sun exposure, and data is inconsistent with current recommendations, what can we do? Can we prevent premature solar aging, while mindfully exposing ourselves to the sun to get all of the OTHER benefits of full spectrum sunlight? Is it possible at all? Or is hyper vigilant use of SPF a freight train we are obligated to ride in the best interest of our client’s safety and skin appearance? I suggest there may be a middle ground that best utilizes all of our wisdom to optimize the health of not only our skin, but our entire being. This is holistic skin care.

Coming up- Part II. What might a Safe Sun Exposure Care Plan look like?

Join the conversation- April 19TH @ 1:30

This blog post was written entirely by a human.

Robin Carter is a Registered Nurse and an Esthetician of 24 years. Robin is versed in multiple modalities including Regenerative Aesthetics and Functional Medicine and views skin health through the lens of both holistic and conventional medicine. She is the founder of Holistic Beauty RN & Nightingale Beauty, where a holistic approach to esthetics is a core value and client connection is the ultimate in care. Robin blends her love for the skin care industry by teaching esthetics at Institute of Skin Science while maintaining a small clientele in Southern NH. On the weekends you might find her at the barn or in her greenhouse, and in the kitchen preparing homegrown, homemade food for her blended family of 6.

RESOURCES

CDC Guidelines re/ Sun Exposure

https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/resources/index.html

1-Suncreens and Photo Aging

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8361399/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20reported%20that,requirements%20of%20an%20ideal%20sunscreen

2- Market Data/ Sunscreens

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/sun-care-products-market-103821

3-Possible Explanations for Rising Melanoma Rates Despite Increased Sunscreen Use over the Past Several Decades

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10741796/

4-UK Study Risk-Benefit UV Exposure

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.08.26343592v1.full.pdf

5-Melatonin:Pharmacology, Functions and Therapeutic Benefits