https://www.outsideonline.com/2380751/sunscreen-sun-exposure-skin-cancer-science

Current guidelines for sun exposure are unhealthy and unscientific, controversial new research suggests—and quite possibly even racist. How did we get it so wrong?


Research shows the most popular vitamin supplements aren't useful. This turns out to include D supplements.

This is strange because "People with low levels of vitamin D in their blood have significantly higher rates of virtually every disease and disorder you can think of"

One theory to explain this is that Vitamin D was acting as simply a marker for sun-exposure. This is put forth by Richard Weller.

To add evidence, Weller found that exposing people to sunlight for 30 minutes reduced blood pressure and increased nitric oxide levels.

Article dispells concerns about sun exposure by pointing that the type of skin cancer one is likely to get from the sun is actually very safe (carcinomas) as compared to melanoma (1-3% of cases).

Cites a study 30,000 Swedish sunbathing women and found greater health and decreased odds of dying from a melanoma.

Observes the counter-intuitive nature of sun-exposure being harmful to a species that evolved outdoors.

Questions the validity of SPF recommendations when they don't factor in race / skin-tone.

Observes an example of "common knowledge" being wrong with margarine which was wrongly perceived to be healthier than butter for a long time. Suggests the very thing may be happening here.