Does tanning help with vitamin D?

Author: Vada Braun IV  |  Last update: Saturday, May 31, 2025

Getting enough vitamin D from tanning beds isn't possible. The bulbs used in tanning beds emit mostly UVA light; however, your body needs UVB light to make vitamin D. To get vitamin D safely, board-certified dermatologists recommend that healthy adults get vitamin D from their diet.

Will tanning help vitamin D deficiency?

``Is tanning a good way to get vitamin D? NO. The truth is that UVB radiation leads to the production of vitamin D. Tanning is mostly caused by UVA rays. This means that tanning delivers almost no vitamin D benefit while increasing the risk of skin cancer.

What are the benefits of tanning?

Health Benefits

Several health benefit claims such as improved appearance, enhanced mood, and increased vitamin D levels have been attributed to tanning. Furthermore, the Indoor Tanning Association claims that “catching some rays may lengthen your life” [5].

How long should I tan for vitamin D?

The researchers took into account the amount of clothing and the season of the year. In spring and summer, 25 percent of the body (the hands, face, neck and arms) is exposed to the sun, and in these seasons, about 8 to 10 minutes of sun exposure at noon produces the recommended amount of vitamin D.

Does sunbathing increase vitamin D?

Sun exposure is the most important natural source of vitamin D. The body uses the vitamin to absorb the calcium it needs to build and maintain bones. Short bursts of sun exposure can usually allow your body to produce all the vitamin D it needs for the day.

How Our Bodies Make Vitamin D | Corporis

How to increase vitamin D quickly?

Good sources of vitamin D
  1. oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel.
  2. red meat.
  3. liver (avoid liver if you are pregnant)
  4. egg yolks.
  5. fortified foods – such as some fat spreads and breakfast cereals.

Can you fix vitamin D deficiency with sun?

Thus, even substantial sunlight or UV exposure does not ensure maintenance of vitamin D adequacy for all individuals, according to currently accepted standards. This implies that the common clinical recommendation to allow sun exposure to the hands and face for 15 min may not ensure vitamin D sufficiency.

What blocks vitamin D absorption?

Because vitamin D is fat soluble, its absorption depends on the gut's ability to absorb dietary fat [4]. Fat malabsorption is associated with medical conditions that include some forms of liver disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis [1,63].

Why do tanning beds make you feel good?

Indoor tanning is more addictive than you might think. The allure lies in the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals triggered by exposure to UV rays. When you're basking under those warm lights, your brain gets a surge of these mood-enhancing chemicals, creating a euphoric sensation.

Do tanned people need more vitamin D?

How much sun exposure do we need? There's no exact guidance for how much sun we need each day to maintain healthy vitamin D. This is partly because different people have different needs. Some people may need more sun exposure because they have darker skin, which takes longer to generate vitamin D.

What is 10 minutes of tanning equal to?

These fluorescent lamps range anywhere from 100-watt bulbs to 140-watt bulbs. Because of their power – and the fact that they simulate UVA rays vs. UVB rays – they can actually penetrate the skin on a deeper level than the sun. This is why ten minutes in a tanning bed equates to about two hours of direct sun exposure.

Can you get vitamin D through a window?

Your body makes Vitamin D from sunlight, but can you get Vitamin D through a window? Sitting beside a sunny window doesn't help you meet your Vitamin D needs, since glass absorbs all of the ultraviolet B rays that stimulate Vitamin D production.

Is there a healthy way of tanning?

The only way to tan safely is by using self-tanning sprays or lotions. Fortunately, self-tanners have come a long way since the days when they left skin streaky and the color of orange cheese-puffs. Self-tanning products are safe and generally don't cause irritation to the skin.

Can I get vitamin D without tanning?

If a daily dose of cod liver oil doesn't sound appealing, you can also get it by consuming foods that have been fortified with vitamin D, such as: Cow's milk. Soy, almond, and oat milks. Breakfast cereals.

Why is tanning good?

UV radiation was shown to provide a variety of advantages for various skin disorders. Indoor tanning using measured levels of UV radiation will help heal acne, psoriasis, and eczema. UV light reduces excessive oil production and maintains a healthy equilibrium. Tanning helps reduce the visibility of stretch marks.

Does lack of vitamin D make you darker?

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble secosteroids that are responsible for several important biological processes, including our skin health. In fact, several causes of skin pigmentation can be traced back to vitamin-D deficiency.

Can you get vitamin D from a tanning bed?

Using tanning beds before age 20 can increase your chances of developing melanoma by 47%, and the risk increases with each use. Getting enough vitamin D from tanning beds isn't possible. You may have heard that your body makes a lot of vitamin D when you use a tanning bed. It doesn't.

Why do I feel happier after tanning?

Mood-Enhancing Endorphins

Sun exposure triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that promote feelings of happiness and reduce stress.

Why do I feel more attractive with a tan?

The glow provided by a tan can make a face look more vibrant and therefore youthful. A tan can also help make muscles look more toned and more well defined. Today, having a tan is associated with people that have an active, outdoor lifestyle. A tan therefore makes people look healthier and fit.

What are signs of low vitamin D?

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include:
  • Fatigue.
  • Not sleeping well.
  • Bone pain or achiness.
  • Depression or feelings of sadness.
  • Hair loss.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Getting sick more easily.

What helps vitamin D absorb faster?

What helps Vitamin D absorption? Because Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it's best absorbed in the bloodstream in the presence of dietary fat. It also helps to eat Vitamin D-rich food from animals and take supplements that contain Vitamin D3.

What drug depletes vitamin D?

Certain medications can lower vitamin D levels, including:
  • Laxatives.
  • Steroids (such as prednisone).
  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs (such as cholestyramine and colestipol).
  • Seizure-preventing drugs (such as phenobarbital and phenytoin).
  • Rifampin (a tuberculosis drug).
  • Orlistat (a weight-loss drug).

How long do you need to be in the sun to increase vitamin D?

Vitamin D From the Sun

It is optimal to have sun exposure for 5 to 30 minutes a day, most days a week, without sunscreen, as SPF ≤8 may block the body's ability to absorb the UVB rays to effectively make vitamin D.

What are signs of too much vitamin D?

What are the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity?
  • Decrease in appetite.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Constipation.
  • Dehydration.
  • Increased thirst (polydipsia).
  • Frequent urination.
  • Confusion, lethargy and fatigue.
  • Muscle weakness and difficulty walking.

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