Once again, The American Academy of Dermatology Issues (AAD) has published a statement that, “The Academy continues to recommend that individuals protect themselves from UV exposure when outdoors, such as seeking shade whenever possible, wearing sunscreen and covering up with a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, pants and sunglasses.” This amounts to Dermatological Purdah: do not allow any skin exposure to the sun!
Evidently, the AAD would be thrilled if we returned to the fashions of the Edwardian era. Note the stylish summer wear of these two women. No sunglasses, but even better for concerned dermatologists, they are wearing gloves and carrying a parasol. What could be better for the AAD?! Let’s return fashion to the days of Fin de Siècle. No more worries: Skin will be smooth and untanned. Why live in the 21st century when the 19th will do so much better?
The AAD does admit that following their fashion purdah restrictions will mean that vitamin D supplementation will probably be necessary. However, they think that 1000 IU/day will be adequate. Adequate? Unlikely. It is estimated that at least 80% of the US population has inadequate levels of serum vitamin D. And the vast majority isn’t following purdah restrictions. 1000 IU/day is better than nothing, of course, but if you are already at inadequate levels (and the odds are that you are), and then you follow the AAD’s advice, 1000 IU/day will be nowhere near enough to optimize your vitamin D levels. Before deciding to undertake dermatological purdah, get you 25 OHD levels checked. Anything under 50 ng/mL means that you need to take a supplement. Vitamin D3 now comes in 2000 IU/day pills.
Think it isn’t that serious? Muslim women who practice purdah in Saudi Arabia (pretty darn sunny there) have dangerously low, even undetectable, levels of serum vitamin D. Edwardian women who practiced dermatological purdah had such high rates of flattened pelvic inlets that obstetricians thought that was what a normal pelvis looked like. Childbirth is hard enough with a normal pelvic inlet. Can you imagine what it was like in Edwardian times? Do you want to return to that era? I don’t.
Sure, you need to make sure that you don’t overdo sun exposure. But get real AAD, dermatological purdah is not the answer either.
The AAD does admit that following their fashion purdah restrictions will mean that vitamin D supplementation will probably be necessary. However, they think that 1000 IU/day will be adequate. Adequate? Unlikely. It is estimated that at least 80% of the US population has inadequate levels of serum vitamin D. And the vast majority isn’t following purdah restrictions. 1000 IU/day is better than nothing, of course, but if you are already at inadequate levels (and the odds are that you are), and then you follow the AAD’s advice, 1000 IU/day will be nowhere near enough to optimize your vitamin D levels. Before deciding to undertake dermatological purdah, get you 25 OHD levels checked. Anything under 50 ng/mL means that you need to take a supplement. Vitamin D3 now comes in 2000 IU/day pills.
Think it isn’t that serious? Muslim women who practice purdah in Saudi Arabia (pretty darn sunny there) have dangerously low, even undetectable, levels of serum vitamin D. Edwardian women who practiced dermatological purdah had such high rates of flattened pelvic inlets that obstetricians thought that was what a normal pelvis looked like. Childbirth is hard enough with a normal pelvic inlet. Can you imagine what it was like in Edwardian times? Do you want to return to that era? I don’t.
Sure, you need to make sure that you don’t overdo sun exposure. But get real AAD, dermatological purdah is not the answer either.
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ReplyDeleteMarietta Dermatology