Volume 57, Issue 4 , Pages 588-593, October 2007
Ultraviolet-B radiation increases serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels: The effect of UVB dose and skin color
Background
Ultraviolet (UV)-B light increases vitamin D levels, but the dose response and the effect of skin pigmentation have not been well characterized.
Objective
We sought to define the relationship between UVB exposure and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) concentrations as a function of skin pigmentation.
Methods
Seventy two participants with various skin tones had 90% of their skin exposed to UVB light (20-80 mJ/cm2) 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Serum 25-OH-D was measured weekly.
Results
Eighty percent of the variation in treatment response was explained by UVB dose and skin tone. Therapeutically important changes in 25-OH-D were achieved with minimal tanning.
Limitations
Four weeks was not long enough to reach a steady state at the higher dose rates.
Conclusions
The response of 25-OH-D levels to UVB light is dependent on skin pigmentation and the amount of UVB given, and useful increases in vitamin D status can be achieved by defined UVB doses small enough to produce only minimal tanning.
Abbreviations used: L∗, lightness value, 25-OH-D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, PTH, parathyroid hormone, UV, ultraviolet
Supported by Dialysis Clinics Inc, The Endocrine Fellows Foundation, and research funds of Creighton University.
Disclosure: Dr Hollis is a consultant for Diasorin. Diasorin manufactures assays for 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Drs Armas, Dowell, Akhter, Duthuluru, Huerter, Lund, and Heaney have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Reprints not available from the authors.
PII: S0190-9622(07)00500-2
doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.03.004
© 2007 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.
Refers to article:
- Commentary: A responsible approach to maintaining adequate serum vitamin D levels , 16 July 2007
Volume 57, Issue 4 , Pages 588-593, October 2007

