A new finding from a study conducted at the Edinburgh University in Scotland has led researchers to conclude that the benefits of UV exposure outweigh the risks.

The research shows that when skin is exposed to sunlight, nitric oxide is released in blood vessels, resulting in lowered blood pressure, and thus reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, according to a report from BBC News. This benefit is unrelated to vitamin D.

“We suspect that the benefits to heart health of sunlight will outweigh the risk of skin cancer,” Dr. Richard Weller, dermatologist and lead researcher, said, according to BBC. “Our work also explains why dietary vitamin D supplements alone will not be able to compensate for lack of sunlight.”

The research team at Edinburgh University exposed volunteers to tanning lamps for 20 minutes, finding that blood pressure dropped significantly for one hour after UV exposure. In a separate session, participants were exposed to heat, but not UV light, and blood pressure was not affected. The team’s conclusion that the benefits of sunbathing outweigh the risks is a result of an estimate that heart disease and stroke, linked to high blood pressure, kills 80 times more people than skin cancer in the United Kingdom.

“If this confirms sunlight reduces the death rate from all causes, we will need to reconsider our advice on sun exposure,” Weller said in the BBC report

According to the report, the findings will be presented this week at the world’s largest gathering of skin experts in Edinburgh, The International Investigative Dermatology conference.

Below, view a video of Dr. Weller discussing his preliminary findings earlier this year.

Click here to read the article from BBC News.

SmartTan.com news articles regularly report medical and scientific information to keep you abreast of current events related to UV light. This information is not intended to be used by any party to make unwarranted health claims to promote sunbed usage. Indoor tanning businesses are obligated to communicate a fair and balanced message to all clients about your products and services including the potential risks associated with indoor tanning. Contact your Smart Tan representative to find out more about what you can and can’t say in your tanning salon business.

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