Clients are constantly being told to wear protective garments when spending time outside, apply sunscreen half an hour before sun exposure, and to reapply sunscreen every two hours. While dermatologists and professionals are attempting to protect their clients from signs of aging, brown spots, and leathering, they may not be aware that a client’s lack of sun exposure could be potentially harmful.
Three-quarters of United States adults and teenagers are deficient in vitamin D. While there are a few ways that vitamin D can be obtained (from food, supplements, and sun exposure), vitamin D produced from the body as a result of ultraviolet exposure has been linked to better health. For example, ultraviolet-induced vitamin D may help prevent prostate, colon, and breast cancer, some bone diseases, and depression. One study showed that in areas where sun exposure is higher, fewer cases of colon cancer were documented. Furthermore, there were fewer deaths from colon, breast, and prostate cancers in those regions as well. Scientists have stated that the solution to vitamin D deficiency is five to 10 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, two to three times a week. Dermatologists, however, argue that all unprotected ultraviolet exposure contributes to cumulative skin damage, even if it is just 15 to 30 minutes a week. In addition to protecting against signs of aging, most professionals are the most concerned about skin cancer, of which incidence rates have sky rocketed as of late.
As a trade-off to the vitamin D predicament, many dermatologists suggest that clients can receive all the vitamin D they need from foods and supplements. Concerned clients should always consult their physician, but vitamin D-packed foods include salmon, fortified milk, fortified cereal, and white mushrooms.

References
Skin Cancer Foundation. (n.d.). Make Vitamin D, Not UV, a Priority.
Warner, J. (2010, October 18). Low Vitamin D Levels for Skin Cancer Patients.