As it's been a particularly cold and often dreary winter here in England I want to remind us all of the advantages of receiving some UV light to our bodies. Many scientific summits around the world every year are always producing new evidence on the on-going research they do on this subject as the 'sun' is the giver of life and maintains it. The research is not necessarily on Tanning itself but on the effects the rays, whether sun bed or sun; have or don't have on us.

Lack of UV light has been shown to have a detrimental effect on our bodies slowly but surely and the scientists in their research are continually proving this, shedding light on health issues which Doctors around the world are using. The beneficial effect of the rays on our bodies is different than the effect on our skin --they are two separate issues. The information concerning UV light on our skin is more well known and we are less fearful now of 'tanning' as we learn how to do 'safe tanning' in moderation, using the nourishing creams before and after tanning, to our best advantage for our skins' sake. Salon staff are more trained in all this knowledge and are able to advise for various skin-types. Little and often is still a good motto.

For our health's sake, it seems that now, as I've pointed out in previous Newsletters, the body vitally needs the UV rays for ultimate health. In this country we will in no way ever receive the amount we need to maintain good health even with good-enough nutrition. These rays affect all our b odies and our functioning abilities, the most important being the assimilation of Vitamin D naturally, which always works towards building up our immune system which has such a job to do for all our lives hasn't it ? And doesn't it make sense to want to know what it is that we need so that we can be the best that we can be for our life ?

According to one particular study, some interesting evidence has come to light from Oliver J Gillie, writer and researcher. The general point of his research is that in this country [ UK ] we will never receive enough sun to maintain our health. Well we know we don't receive enough sun --as we're always going abroad --the sun seems to call us !! [ We do over do it mostly though abroad don't we and that's not good for our skin] But it is good for our bodies. We need a really good amount of Vitamin D and can't ever receive that amount with the limited sun we get here.This research suggests that the best level of Vitamin D required daily is 3000 IU --5000 IU. Vitamin D is stored in the body from the sun months to be used in the winter. Our sun times here are so inadequate. Supplements of the vitamin are too insufficient to substantially increase blood levels with this vitamin too and they don't assimilate naturally in our bodies --it is only sun exposure which does this. The best way according to Gillie is through exposure to the sun taking care of our skin as a seperate issue. Shade is still a good way to look after the skin and still receive exposure to the sun. Gillie also suggests that we shouldn't be discouraged from sun exposure. This also means the use of the sun bed which in this country is a very safe and sensible way of maintaining Vitamin D levels, especially in winter, as the time limits we choose on the sun bed are a very safe method and more prefereble for our bodies than hours in the sunshine itself. The body doesn't like being in direct sun every day even though we do. That's why a sun bed is ideal.

Don't forget that it's sun burn which provokes cancer and that must b e avoided.

It's about time we became more clear about these facts and use the safe sun bed method to our advantage.