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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation

Studying Chronic Exposure of Mice to Ultraviolet B Radiation

Published on: August 19, 2025

Sunbeds as vitamin D sources.

Johan Moan¹, Zoya Lagunova, Emanuela Cicarma

¹Department of Radiation Biology, Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Center, Montebello, Oslo, Norway.

Photochemistry and Photobiology

|October 1, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Sunbed use can boost vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) levels, especially for those with low baseline levels. However, these increases are temporary, necessitating higher vitamin D intake or moderate sunbed use during winter months.

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Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model

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Published on: September 7, 2013

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Endocrinology
Public Health

Background:

Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and immune function.
Limited sun exposure in winter, particularly in northern countries, leads to low vitamin D levels.
Sunbeds offer a potential source of vitamin D, but optimal dosing and duration are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare vitamin D production from low-dose versus higher-dose non-erythemogenic sunbed exposures.
To assess if baseline vitamin D status influences the response to sunbed sessions.
To determine the rate of decline in vitamin D levels after sunbed exposure.

Main Methods:

Participants underwent repeated non-erythemogenic exposures using a commercial sunbed (Wolff Solarium Super Plus 100 W) over five weeks.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured before and after the exposure period.
The decay rate of the induced vitamin D increment was monitored post-exposure.

Main Results:

Sunbed sessions effectively raised 25-hydroxyvitamin D from winter to summer levels, with a mean increase of 15 nm (final mean 80 +/-14 nm).
Individuals with lower initial vitamin D levels experienced the most significant increase.
Vitamin D levels returned to pre-exposure levels within 2-4 weeks for those with the lowest baseline status.

Conclusions:

Moderate, non-erythemogenic sunbed exposure can significantly increase vitamin D levels.
The effectiveness of sunbed use for vitamin D production is influenced by an individual's baseline vitamin D status.
Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels through winter may require increased dietary intake or judicious sunbed use.