Vitamin D, known as the “sunshine vitamin,” is essential for maintaining a healthy body. It is synthesized when your skin cells absorb ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun, creating a reaction that enables your body to produce vitamin D. Surprisingly, it can also be the solution for sunburn, reducing redness, inflammation, and speeding up the healing process.
In an interesting study by Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, it was found that taking high doses of vitamin D an hour after sunburn can significantly reduce inflammation. The study was conducted as a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which participants took 50,000 IU, 100,000 IU, or 200,000 IU of vitamin D an hour after receiving sunburn from a small UV lamp. Participants were subsequently observed 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and one week after receiving the sunburn. Results showed that those participants who took the maximum vitamin D dosage experienced the quickest healing, with inflammation subsiding within 48 hours.
Fascinatingly enough, the study also revealed that vitamin D not only reduces inflammation but also activates genes necessary for skin repair. The process goes beyond the skin level and affects your DNA. According to Kurt Lu, MD, senior author on the study, vitamin D contributes to developing protective barriers in the skin by promptly reducing inflammation.
As the study involved only a small number of people (20), taking high vitamin D doses for treating sunburn may not necessarily be advised. However, researchers found that participants with the highest vitamin D blood levels did experience less redness and activated gene activity linked to skin repair. Even if you receive moderate doses of vitamin D (1,000 International Units daily or 5,000 IU twice a week), your blood levels can be high enough to support sunburn healing.
In addition to taking vitamin D, there are various natural remedies to quickly heal a sunburn. These include applying:
- Aloe vera
- Baking soda
- Manuka honey
- Coconut oil
- Bentonite clay
The ideal solution for preventing sunburn is to avoid too much time in direct sunlight. Limiting your exposure and using a natural sunscreen (as recommended by the Environmental Working Group) can help protect your skin from the intense summer heat.
While the results from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine’s study seem promising, it is essential to keep in mind that the study involved a limited number of participants. Therefore, further experiments and research are necessary to understand the full extent of vitamin D’s healing abilities in treating sunburn. But for now, consistently maintaining healthy vitamin D levels in your blood may be key to speeding up the healing process of sunburns and getting your skin back to its healthy glow.
