Health claims you come across on the internet must always be verified by experts before you decide to adopt them into your daily routine. One such that we came across recently was from an unnamed postpartum wellness influencer who claimed that the time of day, the angle of the sun, and the time you shower can affect how much vitamin D your body absorbs.
According to her, one should get 10-30 minutes of sun exposure.
*Expose your thighs and stomach to those rays. Arms and shins won’t cut it, she said.
*Eat vitamin D-rich foods (salmon, egg yolks, fortified dairy, and mushrooms)
*Take a quality supplement if needed—especially if you’re breastfeeding!
*Don’t shower immediately after sun exposure; wait an hour (your skin needs time to absorb it!)
Is there any truth to this claim?
Daily sun exposure is crucial for getting enough vitamin D. However, there’s a common belief that showering immediately after sun exposure is not a good idea.
Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai, quashed the claim and said whether you shower immediately or after an hour, it won’t change the amount of vitamin D your body produces after exposure to sunlight, as that process happens internally.
Here’s what you should consider (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
Many people worry that showering after sun exposure might wash away vitamin D, but this is not true. “Vitamin D is synthesised in the skin when UVB rays interact with cholesterol in skin cells. This process happens internally, not on the surface. Some may believe that washing the skin could remove vitamin D before it is absorbed, but studies have confirmed that once vitamin D is produced in the deeper layers of the skin, it doesn’t simply wash off with water or soap,” said Dr Agarwal.
So, it is fine to shower after exposing the skin to the sun. “Don’t be tense, as the body naturally regulates vitamin D production, and showering, whether immediately or later, does not impact it,” reiterated Dr Agarwal.
Instead, focusing on safe sun exposure and skin hydration is far more important for overall health.
“So, stop believing any viral post or trend on social media, as there is a lot of misinformation circulating online. It is better to clear all the misconceptions with help of an expert,” said Dr Agarwal.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
