\nThere is another important factor at play when it comes to skin colour: vitamin D. UV rays “activate” vitamin D in the skin. Our bodies need vitamin D to absorb calcium for building strong bones and teeth. People who don’t get enough vitamin D risk bone problems. These problems include weak bones and diseases such as rickets and osteomalacia. Rickets can lead to bent or distorted bones. Osteomalacia is softening of bones.
\nLighter skin lets in more UV rays than dark skin. So lighter skin makes the most of whatever sunlight there is for activating vitamin D. This makes sense when you look at how skin color is distributed around the world. People originally from cold, dark climates tend to have lighter skin than those from sunnier regions.
\nFor more information on vitamin D, check out http:\/\/www.hsph.harvard.edu\/nutritionsource\/vitamin-d\/<\/a>
\nToday, people with different skin types live all over the globe. They live in environments with all different levels of ultraviolet radiation. Too little vitamin D is not a common problem for people who eat healthy, varied diets. But skin cancer and skin aging are common. Knowing your skin type can help you choose the best ways to protect your skin from the sun.<\/p>\n