Vitamin D by sunlight may protect the skin

Skin :: Vitamin D by sunlight may protect the skin

Brief periods of unprotected exposure to the sun are found good for skin, revealed by researchers in a study published in this week's Nature Immunology.

Vitamin D generated by sunlight may help protect the skin from cellular damage, including damage caused by sunlight itself. Researchers found that dendritic cells can convert vitamin D3 -- generated under the skin by sunlight -- into its active hormonal form, and induce T cells to migrate to the skin.

During adaptive immune responses, dendritic cells activate T cells and endow them with specific homing properties. Mechanisms that 'imprint' specific tropisms, however, are not well defined.

But, skin care therapist advised to use sunscreen lotions to avoid unwanted effects from sunlight.