She Used Sunscreen For Years, Ended Up In The Hospital With Broken Bones

News18

26-05-2025

Last Updated:
A 48-year-old woman in China fractured a bone from rolling over in bed due to extreme Vitamin D deficiency from lifelong sun avoidance and excessive sunscreen use
In an unsettling case from China that has sparked debate across social media platforms, a 48-year-old woman's bones were found so brittle that a simple turn in bed caused a fracture, an alarming consequence of a long-standing aversion to sunlight and overuse of sunscreen.
Doctors at a hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, were left stunned when the woman arrived with a broken bone, not from a fall or accident, but from simply rolling over while lying down. Medical investigations revealed that her condition was the result of an extreme deficiency of Vitamin D, a nutrient essential for calcium absorption and bone health.
The case underscores a growing health dilemma in parts of the world, where cultural ideals equating fair skin with beauty have led many to go to great lengths to avoid sun exposure. In this particular instance, doctors noted that the woman had been avoiding the sun since childhood. She wore long sleeves, shunned short-sleeved shirts, and never stepped outside without a thick layer of sunscreen.
Dr Long Shuang, one of the attending physicians, said the woman's lifestyle choices had effectively blocked her body's ability to produce Vitamin D, which is synthesised in the skin upon exposure to sunlight. Over the years, this led to severe osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them so porous that even slight pressure can lead to fractures.
'She had no significant falls or trauma," said Dr Shuang, adding that her bones were so brittle that the mere act of rolling over caused them to break.
Medical professionals pointed out that the body renews its skeletal structure roughly every decade, but bone mass begins to decline steadily after the age of 30. According to Dr Jiang Xiaobing, the average person loses about 0.5 to 1 percent of bone mass annually after that age, an issue exacerbated by a lack of sunlight. 'Sunlight plays a crucial role in Vitamin D production, Dr Jiang explained, 'Without it, the body's ability to maintain bone density is compromised."
While sunscreen is vital for protecting skin from harmful ultraviolet rays and reducing the risk of skin cancer, experts are now cautioning against its excessive use. Blocking all UV exposure may come at the cost of other vital physiological functions, such as Vitamin D synthesis.
In China, where pale skin remains a standard of beauty, sunscreen is often used in combination with physical barriers – hats, gloves, parasols, and long clothing – to completely block the sun. The result, as highlighted by this case, may be an unintended health crisis.
The story has since gone viral on Chinese social media, prompting thousands to question whether their own sun-avoidant routines might carry unseen risks. Many users expressed surprise that such seemingly benign beauty habits could lead to debilitating outcomes.
Doctors are urging a balanced approach: responsible sunscreen use should be paired with limited, safe exposure to sunlight to allow for natural Vitamin D production. 'Moderation is key," said Dr Shuang, adding that one must protect themselves from skin damage, and should not forget that bodies also need sunlight to function properly.
First Published:
May 26, 2025, 18:09 IST