I am relatively fair skinned and have spent my entire life in West Texas (lots of sunshine) farming and then later setting on a truck, but still in and out of the sun constantly. Throughout my life, I've had dozens of severe sunburns. I got wiser as I got older and started using sunscreen, but not diligently. But I have rarely worn sunglasses. If I knew I was going to be out in the sun at the swimming pool or the lake, I might wear some for a few hours. Since the age of 50, I've regularly gone to a dermatologist. About seven years ago, a melanoma on my forehead showed up. That was quickly removed and I have yet to have another appear, although I am constantly on the lookout for one. I am now approaching 68 years. I would venture to say, then, that for me, your thesis is correct, even if I have had one melanoma removed.
I'm far too pasty to be a guinea pig, but I feel like the very simple psychological effect (see bright sun, avoid being in it for too long) is a very good point. Sunglasses could easily mask your awareness of how hot/bright it actually is, and you could end up spending extra time out there.
lol. It's really healthy, no matter how pasty, to give it a gradual exposure because the sun's effect on your skin, head, brain, eyes, is incredibly healthy!
Oh, I get my share. I walk every day, and pretty much never use sunscreen (I just hate the feeling). My shoulders are darker! The rest, still pretty pasty.
I've never tried this but probably should. I always keep my sunglasses because I've convinced myself I have sensitive eyes in the sunlight... I try pretty hard during dawn and dusk hours to not wear them because I know natural light is good for us. I guess I need to try harder to avoid the shades in the afternoons also!
I can attest that it's going to SUCK when you first start weaning your eyes off of them. Specifically if you wear darker lenses. I'd recommend getting a pair with very light lenses vs. going straight off. It's amazing how the eyes adjust. But it's also amazing how fast they recover. Even when I'm Mt. Biking in Arizona in the summer, I just wear clear safety glasses.
I can honestly say it's been a year since I wore sunglasses and that was on a road trip and only twice, once driving into a sunrise and the other driving into a sunset.
Like anything, it will take time to adapt them back.
Thanks for the tip. I think I'll probably keep mine around for when I'm fishing, as the reflections and polarization are things I'd keep in consideration. But for daily tasks I do think I'll try and go without! I'm sure there are other benefits to natural sunlight as well beyond sunburns. We did evolve in the savanna.
I *have* to wear sunglasses now. I had cataract surgery in January and now I'm more susceptible to eye cancer. I've seen someone die of eye cancer that metastasized; it ain't pretty.
I work outside. All day, every day. I have a weird aversion to sunglasses. Maybe I was on to something. I can’t remember the last time I got a real burn.
> I heard a podcast that, for the life of me, I can’t find again
Out of curiosity, does this ChatGPT answer help (Claude didn’t provide anything useful):
The discussion about the potential link between wearing sunglasses and an increased risk of skin cancer was featured on The Art of Manliness podcast episode #1004. In this episode, Brett McKay interviewed science journalist Rowan Jacobsen, exploring various aspects of sunlight exposure, including its health benefits and risks. They discussed how avoiding sun exposure and relying solely on sunscreen might inadvertently lead to health issues and how the body uses sunlight to produce vitamin D, which is essential for numerous bodily functions .
Additionally, Tom Nikkola’s blog also highlights research by Dr. Richard Weller from the University of Edinburgh, suggesting that not wearing sunglasses might enhance the skin’s natural photoprotection mechanisms. This is based on the idea that sunglasses block UV radiation, potentially preventing the eyes from signaling the skin to produce melanin, which protects against UV damage .
Nice, I did ask ChatGPT and Perplexity and I got a couple of options but the thing is I don't believe I've ever listeded to The Art of Manliness. I'm pretty sure it was a JRE but I could not find it. It was such a passing comment too but it put me down a rabbit hole.
being a jazz fan I only wear sunglasses in night clubs
Brilliant. Maybe also for Poker?
I am relatively fair skinned and have spent my entire life in West Texas (lots of sunshine) farming and then later setting on a truck, but still in and out of the sun constantly. Throughout my life, I've had dozens of severe sunburns. I got wiser as I got older and started using sunscreen, but not diligently. But I have rarely worn sunglasses. If I knew I was going to be out in the sun at the swimming pool or the lake, I might wear some for a few hours. Since the age of 50, I've regularly gone to a dermatologist. About seven years ago, a melanoma on my forehead showed up. That was quickly removed and I have yet to have another appear, although I am constantly on the lookout for one. I am now approaching 68 years. I would venture to say, then, that for me, your thesis is correct, even if I have had one melanoma removed.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing that. Melanoma is no joke and thankfully quite treatable.
I'm far too pasty to be a guinea pig, but I feel like the very simple psychological effect (see bright sun, avoid being in it for too long) is a very good point. Sunglasses could easily mask your awareness of how hot/bright it actually is, and you could end up spending extra time out there.
lol. It's really healthy, no matter how pasty, to give it a gradual exposure because the sun's effect on your skin, head, brain, eyes, is incredibly healthy!
Oh, I get my share. I walk every day, and pretty much never use sunscreen (I just hate the feeling). My shoulders are darker! The rest, still pretty pasty.
Pull that shirt off and own it like the BJJ BB you are!
Ha! I think you're thinking about an unskilled MMA fan.
I've never tried this but probably should. I always keep my sunglasses because I've convinced myself I have sensitive eyes in the sunlight... I try pretty hard during dawn and dusk hours to not wear them because I know natural light is good for us. I guess I need to try harder to avoid the shades in the afternoons also!
I can attest that it's going to SUCK when you first start weaning your eyes off of them. Specifically if you wear darker lenses. I'd recommend getting a pair with very light lenses vs. going straight off. It's amazing how the eyes adjust. But it's also amazing how fast they recover. Even when I'm Mt. Biking in Arizona in the summer, I just wear clear safety glasses.
I can honestly say it's been a year since I wore sunglasses and that was on a road trip and only twice, once driving into a sunrise and the other driving into a sunset.
Like anything, it will take time to adapt them back.
Thanks for the tip. I think I'll probably keep mine around for when I'm fishing, as the reflections and polarization are things I'd keep in consideration. But for daily tasks I do think I'll try and go without! I'm sure there are other benefits to natural sunlight as well beyond sunburns. We did evolve in the savanna.
I *have* to wear sunglasses now. I had cataract surgery in January and now I'm more susceptible to eye cancer. I've seen someone die of eye cancer that metastasized; it ain't pretty.
That's rough!
I work outside. All day, every day. I have a weird aversion to sunglasses. Maybe I was on to something. I can’t remember the last time I got a real burn.
Right. I feel better, my skin holds tans better, and now my eyes are so adapted that sunglasses are just way too dark.
> I heard a podcast that, for the life of me, I can’t find again
Out of curiosity, does this ChatGPT answer help (Claude didn’t provide anything useful):
The discussion about the potential link between wearing sunglasses and an increased risk of skin cancer was featured on The Art of Manliness podcast episode #1004. In this episode, Brett McKay interviewed science journalist Rowan Jacobsen, exploring various aspects of sunlight exposure, including its health benefits and risks. They discussed how avoiding sun exposure and relying solely on sunscreen might inadvertently lead to health issues and how the body uses sunlight to produce vitamin D, which is essential for numerous bodily functions .
Additionally, Tom Nikkola’s blog also highlights research by Dr. Richard Weller from the University of Edinburgh, suggesting that not wearing sunglasses might enhance the skin’s natural photoprotection mechanisms. This is based on the idea that sunglasses block UV radiation, potentially preventing the eyes from signaling the skin to produce melanin, which protects against UV damage .
Nice, I did ask ChatGPT and Perplexity and I got a couple of options but the thing is I don't believe I've ever listeded to The Art of Manliness. I'm pretty sure it was a JRE but I could not find it. It was such a passing comment too but it put me down a rabbit hole.
Maybe it is the article thats been rabbit-holed! Try the wayback machine.
That’s a good point I hadn’t considered.