I’m a logical, common sense guy by nature. Before I judge anything, I step back and ask myself, “does this make sense?” So, when the dermatology industry began recommending total sun avoidance and a total ban on indoor tanning in the early ‘90s, I was immediately skeptical. Not just because their science was extremely weak, at best – no, my logical personality couldn’t conceive that nature would evolve to a point where that bright, shiny globe over our heads, which has kept every living thing on earth healthy and alive for millions of years, is now deadly and should be avoided at all cost. No, I don’t care how high they stack the junk science and the anti-UV propaganda; the “sunscare” industry will never convince me to stop worshipping the sun.
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Over the past several years, more and more scientists, researchers and health care advocates have concluded what common sense has suggested all along – non-burning UV exposure is as much as 100 times more beneficial to a long and healthy life, as compared to total avoidance. Though there have been researchers who have promoted the good news about UV for decades (thank you, Dr. Holick), we are now seeing an abundance of prominent scientists worldwide who have recognized the disease-preventing benefits of UV.
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What I admire most about these scientists is how they continue to push forward with the small amount of funding that is available to them. There is no money to be made by recommending that people go outside and get more sun. Unlike the “sunscare” industry that has funding pouring in from the mega-billion-dollar sunscreen companies, pharmaceuticals, dermatology associations and many governments, these pro-sunlight researchers are working with budgets that are probably less than 1% of the anti-UV groups. And yet, they prevail. In the midst of anti-sun groups calling for more covered school playgrounds, more toxic chemicals applied to our children every day of their lives, and bans on professional sunbed salons, these researchers continue to push forward with their work.
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Sunlight deficiency is responsible for an estimated 300,000 annual deaths and billions in health care costs, making it the number two health care concern in the U.S.
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But why? There’s no easy funding to make life easier for them and their families, unlike the anti-UV researchers who are funded by sunscreen companies and pharmaceuticals. Why do they continue their work knowing that the well-financed “sunscare” industry will attack their work and credibility every step of the way? Ahh, the truth. Yes, there still exists a large contingency of researchers whose life mission is to search for answers, and for truth. More importantly, they understand that the current recommendations of sunlight abstinence come at a very high cost. Sunlight deficiency is responsible for an estimated 300,000 annual deaths and billions in health care costs, making it the number two health care concern in the U.S.
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So, here’s to the honorable researchers who are underpaid and underappreciated by most of the world. Here’s to their mission to seek the truth, regardless of the obstacles that are thrown in their path. Here’s to these brave souls whose work stands in defiance of the “sunscare” industry and the mainstream media.
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It’s exciting for me to see that the truth about UV light is approaching the tipping point and soon all will recognize and appreciate what we have always understood about nature. Sunlight is an intentional act of nature that provides health and well-being to every living thing on our planet. And there’s no other logical explanation for the sun hanging over our heads.
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About the ASA
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Founded in 2012, the American Suntanning Association is committed to defending and growing the industry through a detailed and proactive plan directed by an all-salon board and executed by more than two dozen management and consulting team members who specialize in this type of work.
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