Dermatology News & Patient Information

  As a dermatologist, one of the most important pieces of advice I give to my patients is to protect their skin from harmful UV rays. UV radiation is a well-known cause of skin cancer, and can also lead to premature aging, wrinkles, and dark spots on the skin. While many people turn to sunscreens to protect their skin, it's important to remember that clothing can also provide a great deal of protection from the sun. In fact, the right clothing can provide even more protection than sunscreen alone. When it comes to sun protection, not all fabrics are created equal. Different types of fabric provide varying levels of protection against UV radiation. For example, a lightweight cotton t-shirt will provide less protection than a heavier, darker-colored shirt made of a tightly woven material like denim or polyester. In general, fabrics that are tightly woven and darker in color provide more protection against the sun. One way to measure a fabric's level of sun protection is through i...

As a dermatologist, I often see patients who are surprised to find out they have a sunburn, despite being outside on a cold winter day or on a cloudy day. Many people believe that the sun's harmful rays are blocked by clouds or that they are only at risk of sun damage during the summer months. However, this is far from the truth. Firstly, it is important to understand that the sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is divided into UVA and UVB rays. These rays are present year-round, regardless of the weather or season. UVB rays are responsible for causing sunburns, while UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and cause premature aging and skin damage. While clouds may provide some protection from UVB rays, they do not offer complete protection. Clouds can reduce the amount of UV radiation that reaches the earth's surface, but they do not block all of it. In fact, up to 80% of UV rays can still penetrate through clouds, which means that even on a cloudy day, you can still ...