Photoprotection and vitamin D: a review
Open accessAbstract
Summary: The topic of vitamin D is at the forefront of discussions due to evidence suggesting its role in extra‐skeletal health. It is already established that vitamin D plays a key role in skeletal health in young and elderly adults. This vitamin is obtained mainly through sunlight; various factors such as skin pigmentation and seasons affect cutaneous synthesis. Debates about the effects of sunscreen use on cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D have arisen in recent years. An updated review of the literature emphasizes that adequate levels of vitamin D are needed to prevent osteoporosis, falls and fractures in the elderly population. Emerging data also point to its role in cardiovascular disease, auto‐immune conditions and cancers. Normal usage of sunscreen by adults has not shown to decrease cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamin D, released in 2010, was based on studies examining skeletal effects of this vitamin. Oral intake with vitamin d‐enriched foods or vitamin D supplements is recommended over prolonged ultraviolet exposure to maintain proper serum levels. Patients should not be discouraged from normal usage of sunscreens due to their well‐established photoprotective effects.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
National data in the US show racial and ethnic disparities in prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, affecting Hispanics and particularly Black individuals; prior reviews suggest sunscreen use is not associated with a significant decrease in serum vitamin D levels, but most studies to date have been conducted in light-skinned participants.
“National data in the US have shown racial and ethnic disparities in the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, affecting Hispanics and particularly Black individuals [132, 133].”
From Photoprotection for skin of color (2022) · cites this paper as [135]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Holick, M. F., Binkley, N., Bischoff-Ferrari, H. A., Gordon, C. M., Hanley, D. A., Heaney, R. P., Murad, M. H., & Weaver, C. M. (2011) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2011-0385 · Cited by 10,556 · see citing works
Ross, A. C., Manson, J. E., Abrams, S. A., Aloia, J. F., Brannon, P. M., Clinton, S. K., Durazo-Arvizú, R., Gallagher, J. C., Gallo, R. L., Jones, G., et al. (2010) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2010-2704 · Cited by 4,024 · see citing works
Holick, M. F. (2004) · American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/80.6.1678s · Cited by 2,768 · see citing works
Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences
Holick, M. F., & Chen, T. C. (2008) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/87.4.1080s · Cited by 2,689 · see citing works
Fracture Prevention With Vitamin D Supplementation
Bischoff-Ferrari, H. A., Willett, W. C., Wong, J. B., Giovannucci, E. L., Dietrich, T., & Dawson‐Hughes, B. (2005) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.293.18.2257 · Cited by 1,514 · see citing works
Vitamin D for health: a global perspective
Hossein-nezhad, A., & Holick, M. F. (2013) · Mayo Clinic Proceedings · doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2013.05.011 · Cited by 1,298 · see citing works
Autier, P. (2007) · Archives of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/archinte.167.16.1730 · Cited by 1,104 · see citing works
A Pooled Analysis of Vitamin D Dose Requirements for Fracture Prevention
Bischoff-Ferrari, H. A., Willett, W. C., Orav, E. J., Lips, P. T. A. M., Meunier, P. J., Lyons, R. A., Flicker, L. A., Wark, J. D., Jackson, R. D., Cauley, J. A., et al. (2012) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmoa1109617 · Cited by 805 · see citing works
Bischoff-Ferrari, H. A., Dietrich, T., Orav, E. J., & Dawson‐Hughes, B. (2004) · The American Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2003.12.029 · Cited by 804 · see citing works
Tripkovic, L., Lambert, H., Hart, K. H., Smith, C. P. S., Bucca, G., Penson, S., Chope, G. A., Hyppönen, E., Berry, J., Vieth, R., et al. (2012) · American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.031070 · Cited by 786 · see citing works
Photosynthesis of Previtamin D 3 in Human Skin and the Physiologic Consequences
Holick, M. F., MacLaughlin, J. A., Clark, M. B., Holick, S. A., Potts, J. T. J., Anderson, R. R., Blank, I. H., Parrish, J. A., & Elias, P. M. (1980) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.6251551 · Cited by 778 · see citing works
Environmental factors that influence the cutaneous production of vitamin D
Holick, M. F. (1995) · American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/61.3.638s · Cited by 771 · see citing works
Who, what, where and when—influences on cutaneous vitamin D synthesis
Webb, A. R. (2006) · Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology · doi:10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2006.02.004 · Cited by 501 · see citing works
Moyer, V. A., & on behalf of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force* (2013) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-6-201303190-00588 · Cited by 408 · see citing works
Sunlight Regulates the Cutaneous Production of Vitamin D 3 by Causing Its Photodegradation*
Webb, A. R., DeCosta, B. R., & Holick, M. F. (1989) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jcem-68-5-882 · Cited by 347 · see citing works
Christakos, S., Hewison, M., Gardner, D. G., Wagner, C. L., Sergeev, I. N., Rutten, E. P. A., Pittas, A. G., Boland, R., Ferrucci, L., & Bikle, D. D. (2013) · Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1111/nyas.12129 · Cited by 305 · see citing works
Engelsen, O., Brustad, M., Aksnes, L., & Lund, E. (2005) · Photochemistry and Photobiology · doi:10.1562/2004-11-19-rn-375 · Cited by 304 · see citing works
Racial Pigmentation and the Cutaneous Synthesis of Vitamin D
Matsuoka, L. Y. (1991) · Archives of Dermatology · doi:10.1001/archderm.1991.04510010104011 · Cited by 302 · see citing works
Hossein‐Nezhad, A., Spira, A. E., & Holick, M. F. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0058725 · Cited by 296 · see citing works
McCullough, M. L., Robertson, A. S., Rodríguez, C., Jacobs, E. J., Chao, A., Jonas, C. R., Calle, E. E., Willett, W. C., & Thun, M. J. (2003) · Cancer Causes & Control · doi:10.1023/a:1022591007673 · Cited by 263 · see citing works
Vitamin D metabolism and function in the skin
Bikle, D. D. (2011) · Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.mce.2011.05.017 · Cited by 256 · see citing works
Moyer, V. A., & on behalf of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force* (2013) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-9-201305070-00603 · Cited by 251 · see citing works
Matsuoka, L. Y. (1988) · Archives of Dermatology · doi:10.1001/archderm.124.12.1802 · Cited by 249 · see citing works
Marks, R. (1995) · Archives of Dermatology · doi:10.1001/archderm.131.4.415 · Cited by 245 · see citing works
Gallo, S., Comeau, K., Vanstone, C. A., Agellon, S., Sharma, A. K., Jones, G., L’Abbé, M. R., Khamessan, A., Rodd, C. J., & Weiler, H. A. (2013) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.2013.3404 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
Recognition and management of vitamin D deficiency.
Bordelon, P., Ghetu, M. V., & Langan, R. C. (2009) · PubMed · Cited by 183 · see citing works
Does chronic sunscreen use reduce vitamin D production to insufficient levels?
Norval, M., & Wulf, H. C. (2009) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09332.x · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Lehmann, B., & Meurer, M. (2010) · Dermatologic Therapy · doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01286.x · Cited by 163 · see citing works
The relation between sun protection factor and amount of suncreen applied in vivo
Faurschou, A., & Wulf, H. C. (2007) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07684.x · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Use of topical sunscreen for the evaluation of regional synthesis of vitamin D3
Matsuoka, L. Y., Wortsman, J., & Hollis, B. W. (1990) · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · doi:10.1016/0190-9622(90)70107-s · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Gozdzik, A., Barta, J. L., Wu, H., Wagner, D., Cole, D. E. C., Vieth, R., Whiting, S. J., & Parra, E. J. (2008) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-336 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Sun protective behaviors and vitamin D levels in the US population: NHANES 2003–2006
Linos, E., Keiser, E., Kanzler, M., Sainani, K. L., Lee, W., Vittinghoff, E., Chren, M.-M., & Tang, J. Y. (2012) · Cancer Causes & Control · doi:10.1007/s10552-011-9862-0 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Slominski, A. T., Kim, T.-K., Janjetovic, Z., Tuckey, R. C., Bieniek, R., Yue, J., Li, W., Chen, J., Nguyen, M. N., Tang, E. K. Y., et al. (2011) · American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00203.2010 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Brouwer-Brolsma, E. M., Bischoff-Ferrari, H. A., Bouillon, R., Feskens, E. J. M., Gallagher, J. C., Hyppönen, E., Llewellyn, D. J., Stoecklin, E., Dierkes, J., Kies, A. K., et al. (2012) · Osteoporosis International · doi:10.1007/s00198-012-2231-3 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Cusack, C., Danby, C., Fallon, J., Ho, W. L., Murray, B., Brady, J. J., O’Kelly, P., Ambrose, N., Kearns, G. M., & MURPHY, G. M. (2008) · Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0781.2008.00373.x · Cited by 104 · see citing works
de Boer, I. H., Levin, G., Robinson‐Cohen, C., Biggs, M. L., Hoofnagle, A. N., Siscovick, D. S., & Kestenbaum, B. (2012) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-156-9-201205010-00004 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Vitamin D and systemic lupus erythematosus: an update
Mok, C. C. (2013) · Expert Review of Clinical Immunology · doi:10.1586/eci.13.19 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Farrerons, Barnadas, M. A., RodrÍguez, Renau, Yoldi, LÓpez-Navidad, & Moragas (1998) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.1998.02405.x · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Linos, E., Keiser, E., Fu, T., Colditz, G., Chen, S., & Tang, J. Y. (2011) · Cancer Causes & Control · doi:10.1007/s10552-011-9780-1 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Cytochromes P450 and Skin Cancer: Role of Local Endocrine Pathways
Slominski, A. T., Zmijewski, M. A., Semak, I. V., Zbytek, B., Pisarchik, A. V., Li, W., Zjawiony, J. K., & Tuckey, R. C. (2014) · Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry · doi:10.2174/18715206113139990308 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
Faurschou, A., Beyer, D. M., Schmedes, A., et al. (2012) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11004.x · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Wicherts, I., Boeke, A. J. P., van der Meer, I. M., van Schoor, N. M., Knol, D. L., & Lips, P. T. A. M. (2010) · Osteoporosis International · doi:10.1007/s00198-010-1343-x · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Effects of ambient sunlight and photoprotection on vitamin D status
Diehl, J. W., & Chiu, M. W. (2010) · Dermatologic Therapy · doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01290.x · Cited by 74 · see citing works
A Dermatologist's Perspective on Vitamin D
Vanchinathan, V., & Lim, H. W. (2012) · Mayo Clinic Proceedings · doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2011.12.010 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Self-citationSerum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in erythropoietic protoporphyria
Holme, S. A., Anstey, A. V., Badminton, M. N., & Elder, G. H. (2008) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2008.08616.x · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Shahriari, M., Kerr, P. E., Slade, K., & Grant-Kels, J. E. (2010) · Clinics in Dermatology · doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.030 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Vitamin D Insufficiency in Internal Medicine Residents
Haney, E. M., Stadler, D. D., & Bliziotes, M. M. (2004) · Calcified Tissue International · doi:10.1007/s00223-004-0025-0 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Vitamin D in health and disease
LoPiccolo, M. C., & Lim, H. W. (2010) · Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0781.2010.00524.x · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Self-citationSerum Vitamin D Levels in Office Workers in a Subtropical Climate
Vu, L. H., Whiteman, D. C., van der Pols, J. C., Kimlin, M. G., & Neale, R. Ε. (2011) · Photochemistry and Photobiology · doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2011.00899.x · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Regular use of sunscreen on vitamin D levels
Holick, M. F. (1995) · Archives of Dermatology · doi:10.1001/archderm.131.11.1337 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Potential benefits of vitamin D for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Singh, A., & Kamen, D. L. (2012) · Dermato-Endocrinology · doi:10.4161/derm.20443 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Bogh, M. K. B., Gullstrand, J., Svensson, Å., et al. (2012) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11069.x · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Vitamin D Status and Cause-Specific Mortality: A General Population Study
Skaaby, T., Husemoen, L. L. N., Pisinger, C. H., Jørgensen, T., Thuesen, B. H., Fenger, M., & Linneberg, A. R. (2012) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052423 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Ala-Houhala, M. J., Vähävihu, K., Hasan, T., Kautiainen, H., Ylianttila, L., Viljakainen, H. T., Snellman, E., & Reunala, T. L. (2012) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.10990.x · Cited by 38 · see citing works
What Is All This Commotion about Vitamin D?
Reddy, K. K., & Gilchrest, B. A. (2010) · Journal of Investigative Dermatology · doi:10.1038/jid.2009.353 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Sunscreen and Risk of Osteoporosis in the Elderly: A Two-Year Follow-Up
Farrerons, J., Barnadas, M. A., Antonio López-navidad, C., Renau, A. R., Rodrı́guez-Espinosa, J., Yoldi, B., & Alomar, A. (2001) · Dermatology · doi:10.1159/000051580 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Sun protection and vitamin D status in an Australian subtropical community
Jayaratne, N., Russell, A., & van der Pols, J. C. (2012) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.05.011 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Vitamin D and Skeletal Growth and Development
Koo, W., & Walyat, N. (2013) · Current Osteoporosis Reports · doi:10.1007/s11914-013-0156-1 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamins
Barr, S. I., & Murphy, S. P. (2007) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/9781420005806.ch18 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Reid, S. M., Robinson, M., Kerr, A. C., et al. (2012) · Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0781.2011.00644.x · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Therapeutic Hotline: Recommendations on photoprotection and vitamin D
Sage, R. J., & Lim, H. W. (2010) · Dermatologic Therapy · doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01293.x · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Webb AR, de Costa BR, Holick MF. Sun- light regulates the cutaneous production of vitamin D3 by causing its photo- degradation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1989; 68: 882-887.
- Autier P, Gandini S. Vitamin D supple- mentation and total mortality: a meta- analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med 2007; 167: 1730-1737.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Neurotoxic effect of active ingredients in sunscreen products, a contemporary review
Ruszkiewicz, J. A., Pinkas, A., Ferrer, B., Peres, T. V., Tsatsakis, A., & Aschner, M. (2017) · Toxicology Reports · doi:10.1016/j.toxrep.2017.05.006 · Cited by 323 · see citing works
Visible light. Part II: Photoprotection against visible and ultraviolet light
Geisler, A. N., Austin, E., Nguyen, J., Hamzavi, I., Jagdeo, J., & Lim, H. W. (2021) · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.11.074 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Self-citationRomanhole, R. C., Ataide, J. A., Moriel, P., & Mazzola, P. G. (2015) · International Journal of Cosmetic Science · doi:10.1111/ics.12219 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Photoprotection for skin of color
Tsai, J., & Chien, A. L. (2022) · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology · doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00670-z · Cited by 63 · see citing works
- Authors
- Kannan, S., & Lim, H. W.
- Affiliations
- Henry Ford Health (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lim, Henry W.
- ORCID
- Lim, Henry W.
- Venue
- Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2014-01-09
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 2-3
- Pages
- 137-145
- ISSN
- 0905-4383 (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0781
- OpenAlex
- W1549082262
- Cited by
- 55
- References
- 61
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 4
- FWCI
- 1.18
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Photodermatology Photoimmunology & Photomedicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
- Keywords
- vitamin D, photoprotection, sunscreen, cutaneous vitamin D synthesis, UV exposure, skin pigmentation, seasonal variation, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D intake, recommended daily allowance
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Animals, Autoimmune Diseases, Bone and Bones, Cardiovascular Diseases, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Osteoporosis, Skin, Sunscreening Agents, Ultraviolet Rays, Vitamin D, Dietary Supplements
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
