Latest news with #skinhealth
CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Are sunburns a good base for a tan? Debunking common summer myths.
There are many pearls of wisdom we've all been fed about the impending summer season, but what's hearsay and what's true? WCCO gets some answers that may contradict your parents' or grandparents' advice. It's the season to sun, swim and savor flavors. But when it comes to that watermelon, it can become ominous. A common warning is that watermelon seeds can germinate in your stomach. However, Dr. Krish Subrahmanian, who works in pediatric medicine at Hennepin Healthcare, says, "We are gonna myth bust right now. The watermelon isn't gonna grow in your belly." Subrahmanian would know because he fields a lot of summer questions. Another food-related question he gets: Do you need to wait half an hour after eating to swim? "So, I am never going to tell you to your mother, however, in this case, there is no scientific evidence to say you have to. Listen to your mother, but you can," he said. There are some other stories on sunscreen and sunburns. "I think it's a myth that those of us with darker skin don't need sunscreen," he said. "It's really important we wear sunscreen as well. Anyone going out in the sun should be getting a good sunscreen — 30 SPF or higher. Skin cancer can occur in all skin types." As for those in pursuit of the sun, you may have heard this: Burns are a good base for a tan. Subrahmanian says burns can turn into tans, but "any burn is not good for your skin, it is a sign of the skin cells breaking down and sort of regenerating – it's not good." Subrahmanian says another summer myth is that insect repellent is bad for you. He says as long as kids don't swallow it, repellent with DEET is the most effective protection.
CNN
24-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
Only one-quarter of sunscreens on store shelves are safe and effective, new report says
Only one fourth of sunscreens on store shelves in the United States deliver safe and effective protection against the harmful rays of the sun, according to an annual report which analyzed more than 2,200 sunscreens available for purchase in 2025. 'Our criteria include the ability of the sunscreen's active ingredients to provide balanced protection against both UVA and UVB rays, as well as any hazardous chemical ingredients in the product,' said David Andrews, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, a consumer organization that has produced the annual sunscreen guide since 2007. Released Tuesday, the 2025 Sunscreen Guide lists the best baby and child sunscreens, including those with the best ' bang for the buck;' highly rated daily use sunscreen s, including moisturizers with SPF; the best lip balms with SPF; and the top recreational sunscreens designed for outdoor activities such as sports or spending time at the beach. 'There are nearly 500 products we are recommending consumers seek out as their first option,' Andrews said. 'We want people to wear sunscreen and at the same time recognize there are other ways to protect their skin as well — seeking shade, wearing wide-brimmed hats, lightweight long-sleeve shirts and pants and covering up your feet are very effective ways, especially if you're concerned about sunscreen ingredients.' Choosing not to protect your skin from the sun, an idea promoted by some Tiktok influencers, should not be an option, according to Dr. Kathleen Suozzi, a dermatologic surgeon at Yale School of Medicine. 'Extensive research has shown that UV radiation from the sun is a significant cause of skin cancers such as melanoma. It's really indisputable at this point,' Suozzi told CNN in a prior interview. 'UV radiation has both UVA and UVB, and we know that both of them damage the DNA in skin cells.' Concerns with chemical sunscreens Sunscreens come in two types, chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens are designed to soak into the skin as a chemical reaction absorbs ultraviolet radiation as energy and disperses it as heat. Testing released in 2019 by the US Food and Drug Administration found seven chemical ingredients — avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, ecamsule, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate — were absorbed from the skin into the bloodstream after a single day of use. The concentration of the seven chemicals in the blood increased each day after application and remained above FDA safety levels a week later. Two of the chemicals — homosalate and oxybenzone — were still above safety thresholds at day 21. Once in the bloodstream, these chemicals can enter waterways via wastewater, threatening coral reefs and aquatic life. Due to the increasing devastation of their coral reefs, Hawaii; Key West, Florida; the US Virgin Islands; Bonnaire; Aruba; and Palau, an island in the Pacific, have banned the use of several chemical sunscreens, particularly oxybenzone. Oxybenzone has also been linked to lower testosterone levels in adolescent boys, hormone changes in men, and shorter pregnancies and disrupted birth weights in babies. However, the use of oxybenzone use has fallen dramatically, according to EWG's 2025 Sunscreen Guide. Once in 70% of non-mineral sunscreens, oxybenzone is now in only 9% of products, Andrews said. The Personal Care Products Council, which represents sunscreen manufacturers, disagreed with the report's findings. 'This report sows consumer confusion and poses a serious risk by undermining public trust in products that are scientifically proven, rigorously tested, and highly effective at protecting against harmful UV radiation,' said PCPC chief scientists and executive vice president of science, Alexandra Kowcz, in an email. Safety of mineral-based sunscreens Mineral-based sunscreens work differently. Instead of being absorbed into the skin, the minerals physically deflect and block the sun's rays. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the two FDA-approved mineral sunscreen ingredients, and they do not appear to harm marine ecosystems, Andrews said. 'Of the 2,217 products we tested for this year's report, 43% use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, up from just 17% in 2007,' Andrews said. 'That's good news for consumers and the environment.' However, some mineral products may contain chemical 'boosters' designed to artificially raise the sun protection factor (SPF), the report said. 'Using chemical boosters may result in a lower concentration of active mineral ingredients at the expenses of consumer safety,' Andrews said. 'We want to ensure these sunscreens are providing the SPF advertised on their labels as well as balanced UVA and UVB protection. Some of these boosters, such as the solvent butyloctyl salicylate, or BOS, absorb UV rays much like chemical sunscreen ingredients, Andrews said. 'Yet they're marketed primarily as solvents that improve how a product feels on the skin and reduce the white cast that mineral sunscreens can leave behind,' he said. 'BOS is structurally similar to octisalate, one of 12 chemical sunscreen ingredients the FDA has identified as needing more safety data,' Andrews added. 'However, BOS is not regulated as an active ingredient and hasn't undergone the same level of safety evaluation.' EWG first raised concerns about SPF boosters in an August 2016 letter to then–FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, urging the agency to investigate 'sunscreen ingredients that may enable manufacturers to advertise higher SPF values for their over-the-counter sunscreen products without offering users truly enhanced protection from UVA and UVB rays.' The agency should also investigate any correlation 'between protection from skin reddening, immunosuppression, long-term skin damage and cancer,' the letter said. To date, no action has been taken by the FDA, Andrews said. Additional consumer protection proposed by FDA still in limbo The FDA proposed updated rules for sunscreen safety in 2019. Industry was asked to provide additional testing on 12 sunscreen chemicals of concern, including the seven which FDA testing showed are easily absorbed into the bloodstream. That has yet to be done, Andrews said. The FDA proposal also asked manufacturers to test spray sunscreen products to prove aerosolized chemicals cannot be inhaled into the deep lung — that testing has also not occurred, he said. 'When the FDA tested aerosol cosmetics a few years ago, they found some products did have very small particle sizes that could be inhaled in the deep lung and lead to possible health harms,' Andrews said. 'The same concern applies to spray sunscreens.' According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, inhalation of such particles can cause serious health effects in individuals at greatest risk, such as 'people with heart or lung disease, people with diabetes, older adults and children (up to 18 years of age).' Yet aerosol sunscreens remain popular among consumers — 26% of the sunscreens tested were sprays — despite potential inhalation risks and the difficulty of providing even and adequate coverage with a spray, Andrews said. 'An Australian study found that even under light breeze conditions of say, 6- to 10-miles-an-hour, a significant portion of an aerosol sunscreen just blows away,' he said. 'I was at a soccer game last weekend, and when someone sprayed sunscreen, I felt like it went over the entire field. I'm not convinced they got any sunscreen on themselves.' The FDA also called for a cap of 60 SPF on sunscreen products in the 2019 proposal, saying any benefit over 60 is extremely minor. Therefore labeling sunscreens at levels higher than 60 SPF could be misleading consumers by providing a false sense of sun protection, the FDA said. That too, has not been accomplished, and consumers continue to spend money on these products, Andrews said. 'One of the primary drivers of consumer purchasing is the highest SPF number possible,' he said. 'Consumers are not getting the message that higher SPF values don't offer a clear benefit.' CNN reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the FDA, for comment but did not hear back before publication.
The Independent
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
You should wear sunscreen even if you have darker skin. Here's why
People with darker skin still need to wear sunscreen — for more reasons than one. Too much ultraviolet exposure from the sun can lead to sunburn, dark spots and wrinkles, and increased risk of skin cancer. The melanin in darker skin offers some extra protection from the sun, but dermatologists say that isn't enough on its own. "Everyone needs sunscreen. But the reasons that one might be reaching for sunscreen may differ depending on your skin tone,' said Dr. Jenna Lester, who founded the Skin of Color Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco. Do darker-skinned people need sunscreen? White people are overall more likely to get skin cancer compared to Black and Hispanic people. But Black and Hispanic people are less likely to survive the most dangerous kind of skin cancer called melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society. Black patients more commonly get melanoma on their hands and feet — places that are more shielded from the sun. Still, sunscreen is an additional protective layer that helps prevent a host of other problems including sunburns, hyperpigmentation after acne, rosacea and dark patches on the face. Dr. Oyetewa Asempa at Baylor College of Medicine often reminds her darker-skinned patients: 'All of the problems that you're coming to see me for are caused or worsened by the sun.' How much sunscreen do people of color need? To stay safe in the sun, it's important to grab sunscreen with a sun protection factor or SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours. People headed for the pool or beach should put on sunscreen beforehand, remembering to reapply liberally and after getting out of the water. Most people don't wear enough sunscreen when they apply, Lester said. Make sure to put two long fingers' worth on the face and a hefty blob for the body. Look for chemical-based sunscreens to avoid ashy white cast. Two key ingredients in mineral-based products — zinc oxide and titanium oxide — are the culprits for that pesky discoloration on dark skin. Tinted sunscreens contain pigments that block visible light from the sun, offering additional protection against dark spots. And wearing a hat or sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor or UPF grading can provide an extra safety boost. Whatever the sun protection routine, it's important to keep it up, Lester said. Some UV rays can climb right through car and house windows to cause sun damage even when indoors, making it even more important to take care of the skin while the sun shines. 'It's about trying to make it a daily habit,' she said. 'Consistency over intensity.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctor reveals 'often overlooked' body part that you MUST clean everyday, or risk serious health issue
A skin doctor has warned that forgetting to wash behind the ears could lead to eczema, nasty infections and even life-threatening sepsis. According to Dr Roger Kapoor, a dermatologist at Beloit Health System in Wisconsin, this part of the body is rife for trapped dirt, oil and dead skin—yet people rarely think to clean it. Bacteria 'stuck' in the crease can migrate to open wounds, such as ear piercings or scratches inside the ear, and trigger dangerous infections, he added. ''I always recommend people wash the skin behind their ears intentionally and specifically to get into the creases of where the ear meets your skin,' he told Parade. 'It can always trap grime.' In severe cases, these infections could spread to other parts of the body and enter the bloodstream. While rare, this could lead to life-threatening sepsis—when the body attacks its own tissues, causing organs to gradually shut down. Dr Kapoor also flagged the risk of eczema, an inflammatory condition that causes sufferers to develop flaky, scaly patches which are often itchy and look red. The build up of oil, dirt and sweat can create a moist environment for bacteria and fungus to thrive, which can cause or worsen eczema as well as general skin irritation. Over time, the oil build-up can block pores, causing unsightly spots or acne breakouts. The combination of dirts trapped behind your ear is also likely to leave you with a foul smell. Dr Kapoor said while shampoo contains ingredients to help break down oil and bacteria, they are not the best option as it washes away when rinsing. This means the cleansing substances don't have contact with the skin for long. He advised using a gentle soap and scrubbing behind the ears with fingers to clean the area thoroughly. The dermatologist also recommended washing the arms of glasses regularly as they rest behind the ears and can easily transfer bacteria to the skin. It comes as a significant portion of Britons say they miss certain body parts during showers, like washing their feet (49 per cent) or toes (60 per cent), a 2020 survey by Plumbworld revealed. One survey, conducted by YouGov in 2019, found only half of people in the UK shower every day, with one in four only opting for one every two days. Nearly one in 20 Britons reported only shower once a week, and one in 100 once per month.
National Post
21-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
MedX Health, Vitamed Biomedical, and Medispa Partner to Expand Teledermatology Services Across Italy
Article content MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — MedX Health Corp. ('MedX' or the 'Company') (TSXV: MDX), a global leader in teledermatology, is pleased to announce a strategic collaboration in the Italian healthcare market between Vitamed Biomedical, a MedX commercial partner in Italy, and Medispa, a leading Italian healthcare company delivering innovative digital solutions for prevention, wellness, and healthcare. Article content Article content This new partnership will facilitate the deployment of MedX's proprietary SIAscope on DermSecure® platform across Medispa's extensive network of pharmacies, medical centers, and wellness facilities, increasing patient access to advanced skin screening and preventive care. Article content 'We are pleased to support our partners Vitamed Biomedical and Medispa in bringing our SIAscope on DermSecure® system to a broader patient base in Italy,' said Mike Druhan, President of Dermatological Services at MedX Health Corp. 'This collaboration is an important milestone in our international expansion strategy and underscores our commitment to enabling early detection of melanoma by a dermatologist through accessible, non-invasive teledermatology.' Article content The SIAscope on DermSecure® system enables rapid, non-invasive imaging of suspicious skin lesions, which are securely transmitted for dermatologist review often within 72 hours dramatically accelerating diagnosis while reducing unnecessary referrals and wait times. The solution has been cleared for clinical use across multiple jurisdictions, including the EU, Canada, the U.S., Australia, and the UK. Article content 'This collaboration with Medispa strengthens our mission to expand the reach of teledermatology in Italy,' said Giuseppe Verderame, CEO of Vitamed Biomedical. 'By integrating MedX's platform into high-traffic and trusted community hubs like pharmacies and wellness centers, we are improving accessibility and empowering individuals with better tools for early skin cancer detection.' Article content Andrea Prina, CEO of Medispa, added: 'This partnership perfectly aligns with Medispa's vision of innovating healthcare delivery through digital technology. By offering MedX's solution through our network, we're providing citizens with fast, reliable access to dermatological screening and reinforcing our commitment to prevention-first health services.' Article content Italy represents a key European growth market for MedX Health, where demand for accessible, specialist-level dermatological screening continues to grow particularly in light of increased awareness of skin cancer risks associated with aging populations and sun exposure. Article content About Vitamed Biomedical Article content Vitamed Biomedical is a provider of advanced medical technologies and a commercial partner of MedX in Italy. The company focuses on distributing innovative healthcare solutions that support early diagnosis and patient-centered care across Italy's public and private healthcare sectors. Article content About Medispa Article content Medispa is an Italian company specializing in digital innovation for prevention and wellness services. With a strong presence in pharmacies, medical clinics, and wellness centers, Medispa is dedicated to delivering integrated, forward-thinking health services for the modern consumer. Article content About MedX Health Corp. Article content MedX Health Corp., headquartered in Ontario, Canada, is a leading developer of non-invasive skin analysis and teledermatology solutions. Its SIAscopy® technology, integrated into the DermSecure® platform, enables pain-free imaging of skin lesions for rapid remote dermatologist assessment. MedX products are cleared for use in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and several other markets. Visit: Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
