Protect Your Baby From the Sun's Harmful UV Rays

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• June 25, 2023
• Full Page

Summer's here and the Mayo Clinic says babies need protection from the sun's damaging UV rays, too.

It only takes one severe sunburn during childhood or adolescence to nearly double the risk for a deadly melanoma later in life, according to the American Academy of Dermat...

Summer's Near: What's the Best Sunscreen for You?

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• May 10, 2023
• Full Page

It's easy to keep your skin safer in the summer sun if you have the right sunscreen.

UCLA Health offers some tips for picking the best type and SPF level.

Getting sunburned just five times in a lifetime doubles the risk of getting melanoma, the most serious skin c...

Many Gen Z Americans Have Sun Safety All Wrong

• By Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• July 6, 2022
• Full Page

You might think everyone knows by now to protect against the sun's rays, but many Gen Zers apparently haven't gotten the message.

In a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. adults by the American Academy of Dermatology, many of these 18- to 25-year-olds were unaware of the risks f...

Newer Sunscreens Can Better Match Your Skin Tone

• By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
• April 2, 2022
• Full Page

Newer sunscreens that can match your skin tone may encourage more people to use sunscreen, an expert says.

"The lighter a person's skin, the higher their risk for skin cancer," said Dr. Henry Li...

More Time Outdoors May Lower Risk of MS in Youth

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• December 9, 2021
• Full Page

Children at risk for multiple sclerosis (MS) might find some protection from the disease by spending more time in the sun, a small study suggests.

Although MS is rare in children and young adults, those with relatives who have the condition have increased odds of develop...

Protecting Your Skin From Sun Won't Weaken Your Bones: Study

• Ernie Mundell
• November 18, 2021
• Full Page

Most people know that sun-sourced vitamin D is good for their bones. So could avoiding the sun to reduce skin cancer risk weaken your bones?

A new study brings a reassuring answer: "Sun-protective" behavior -- wearing long sleeves, seeking shade or using sunscreen -- "wa...

Caring for a New Baby's Skin, Hair and Nails

• October 31, 2021
• Full Page

Caring for a baby's delicate skin, hair and nails can be intimidating, but five simple steps can make it easier, according to an expert from the American Academy of Dermatology.

"With their tiny hands and feet, babies can seem so fragile and vulnerable," said dermatologi...

Don't Forget to Apply Sunscreen Before & After Water Fun

• Robert Preidt
• August 27, 2021
• Full Page

If you're at the beach or pool, applying sunscreen before and after you've been in the water is a must, a cancer specialist says.

The intensity of exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays "is higher under water than it is above water," said Dr. Arun Mavanur. He is a sur...

One Key Question Can Help Spot Skin Cancer

• Cara Murez
• August 11, 2021
• Full Page

When a suspicious skin lesion sends you scurrying to a dermatologist, asking for a full-body skin check could save your life.

Dermatologists are twice as likely to find skin cancer with a full-body check, a new study reveals. More than half of the skin cancers discovere...

Take This Refresher on Skin Safety in Summer Sun

• August 1, 2021
• Full Page

Sun protection is essential as you enjoy the outdoors this summer, a skin expert stresses.

"Skin cancer is the most common cancer in humans so it's important that we do what we can to protect ourselves," Dr. Ida Orengo, a professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Med...

All Sunglasses Not Equal When it Comes to Eye Protection

• Robert Preidt
• July 31, 2021
• Full Page

Sunglasses are often considered a fashion statement, but one expert says the style you choose is less important than picking a pair of shades that best protect your eyes from the sun's damaging rays.

"Wearing sunglasses without 100% UV protection is actually a serious he...

Too Little Sunlight, Vitamin D May Raise Colon Cancer Risk

• July 5, 2021
• Full Page

New research finds that countries with more cloudy days tend to have higher colon cancer rates. Lower levels of vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin," may be to blame.

So, boosting your vitamin D levels through exposure to sunlight could help reduce your risk of colon cancer...

Shining a Light on Sunscreens

• July 3, 2021
• Full Page

Sunscreen isn't just for pool gatherings and beach outings: Using sunscreen every day could reduce your risk of skin cancer, experts say.

Daily use of at least an SPF 15 sunscreen can lower your risk of melanoma -- the deadliest type of skin cancer -- by 50%, according t...

Many 'High-Risk' Americans Unconcerned About Skin Cancer: Poll

• Cara Murez
• June 18, 2021
• Full Page

It's long been known the sun's rays can cause skin cancer.

But a new poll shows that only about 30% of American adults say they're concerned about developing skin cancer -- even though nearly 70% have at least one risk factor for the disease.

The American Academy o...

Many Americans Confused About Sunscreens: Poll

• Robert Preidt
• May 28, 2021
• Full Page

Think you know all you need to know about slathering on the sunscreen this summer?

Maybe you don't.

As the Memorial Day weekend begins, many Americans are confused about the proper application of sunscreen and about its sun protection factor (SPF), the American Aca...

Many Americans Wrong About Sun's Skin Cancer Dangers: Poll

• Cara Murez
• May 4, 2021
• Full Page

You might think everybody knows how to protect themselves from the sun's harmful rays, but a new survey reveals that one-third of Americans lack a basic understanding of sun safety and skin cancer.

That's the surprising takeaway from an American Academy of Dermatology (A...

Teen Tanning Bed Ban Would Prevent Thousands of U.S. Melanoma Cases

• Robert Preidt
• April 14, 2021
• Full Page

A U.S.-wide ban on teen use of tanning beds would prevent thousands of cases of skin cancer and save millions in health care costs, researchers say.

Indoor tanning has been linked to an increased risk of melanoma -- the deadliest type of skin cancer -- and the highest ri...

Could Widely Used Blood Pressure Meds Raise Skin Cancer Risk?

• Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
• April 12, 2021
• Full Page

Most people are familiar with common sun-protection advice, from wearing and reapplying sunscreen to putting on a hat.

But a new Canadian study finds that for people who take certain blood pressure medications, that advice becomes even more critical because those drugs c...

Bright Side: Sunnier Areas Have Lower COVID-19 Death Rates

• Ernie Mundell and Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporters
• April 9, 2021
• Full Page

COVID-19 might have a tough new foe: The sun.

New research shows that sunnier regions of the United States have lower COVID-19 death rates than cloudier areas, suggesting that the sun's UV rays might somehow provide some protection against the disease.

The effect i...

What Causes Herpes Cold Sore Flare-Ups? New Study Offers Clues

• Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter
• February 17, 2021
• Full Page

Scientists may have discovered why cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) are triggered by stress, illness and sunburn.

The finding could lead to new ways to prevent recurring cold sores and herpes-related eye disease, U.S. and British researchers say.

Could Working Outside Help Prevent Breast Cancer?

• Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
• February 2, 2021
• Full Page

The great outdoors can soothe the soul, but new research suggests that working outside might also guard against breast cancer.

The study wasn't designed to say how working outside affects chances of developing breast cancer, but vitamin D exposure may be the driving forc...

Even Winter Carries Skin Cancer Risks for College Students

• December 24, 2020
• Full Page

Researchers from two universities in Utah have a warning for students planning to hit the slopes or play in the snow without sunscreen: You could greatly increase your risk of skin cancer.

A survey of students by Brigham Young University College of Nursing in Provo found...

Could Tanning Raise a Woman's Odds for Endometriosis?

• Amy Norton
• December 4, 2020
• Full Page

Young women who regularly visit tanning salons may have an increased risk of developing endometriosis, a new study suggests.

Researchers said the findings, from a large study of U.S. women, don't prove that tanning beds help cause the painful pelvic condition.

But,...

Protect Yourself From Sun to Prevent Skin Cancer

• Steven Reinberg
• May 30, 2020
• Full Page

Headed to the beach or park for a little fresh air? Don't forget your sun protection, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting one in five Americans, but many don't protect themselves fr...

As Summer Starts, Sun Safety Slashes Skin Cancer Risk

• Steven Reinberg
• May 25, 2020
• Full Page

With many beaches and parks opening in time for Memorial Day, the American Cancer Society is reminding people to practice sun safety.

Overexposing yourself to the sun increases your risk for skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the United States, with almo...

Shun the Sun to Prevent Skin Cancer

• Steven Reinberg
• May 2, 2020
• Full Page

Though most Americans are well aware that protecting themselves from sunburn is important, many don't take precautions, a new survey finds.

Protecting yourself from exposure to sunlight is the best way of preventing skin cancer, according to the American Academy of ...

Indoor Athletes Often Lacking in Vitamin D

• Kayla McKiski
• March 24, 2020
• Full Page

Indoor athletes may be vitamin D-deficient, putting themselves at risk of injury and poor performance, a small study finds.

Researchers assessed vitamin D levels in players on George Mason University's men's and women's basketball teams. For the 2018-2019 season, pla...

Sunscreen Chemicals Absorbed Into Body, Study Finds

• Amy Norton
• January 21, 2020
• Full Page

The chemicals in sunscreens help shield people from the sun's rays, but they are also absorbed into the body at levels that raise some safety questions, a new study confirms.

The study, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is a follow-up to a 2019 investig...

Despite Danger, Tanning Beds Still a Fixture in Many Gyms

• Alan Mozes
• December 23, 2019
• Full Page

Widely condemned for driving up skin cancer risk, tanning beds remain common in that shrine to healthy living: gyms.

That's the finding from a study of tanning beds in three of America's six largest gym chains: Anytime Fitness, Planet Fitness and Gold's Gym.

Head, Neck Melanomas Show Alarming Rise in Young Americans

• Steven Reinberg
• October 9, 2019
• Full Page

Cases of deadly melanomas on the head and neck rose more than 51% over two decades among young people in the United States and Canada, a new study reports.

Researchers found that the incidence of head and neck melanoma rose nearly 4% a year from 1995 to 2001,...

How Protect Against Short- and Long-Term Sun Damage

• Steven Reinberg
• July 5, 2019
• Full Page

Don't invite skin cancer to your holiday weekend.

As you celebrate America's independence at beaches, pools or backyard parties, remember that the sun's damaging rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. -- and protecting yourself is a must.

"When it comes ...

Why Do Young Women Get Addicted to Indoor Tanning?

• Steven Reinberg
• June 18, 2019
• Full Page

A combination of depression and genetic risk may fuel an addiction to indoor tanning.

That's the conclusion of a new study out of Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, D.C.

For the study, researchers surveyed nearly 300 women who u...

Scared Safe: Pics of Sun's Damage to Face Boost Sunscreen Use

• Steven Reinberg
• June 12, 2019
• Full Page

When all else fails, fear may motivate people to protect themselves from the sun.

Researchers found that a photo of a mole being removed and visuals of skin damage did the trick.

Study volunteers were shown photos taken using a VISIA UV camera system. Thes...

Guard Your Skin Against the Summer Sun

• Robert Preidt
• June 6, 2019
• Full Page

Whether you're at the beach, the park or a pool this summer, be sure to protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to the sun's ultraviolet ...

Are DIY Sunscreens Dangerous?

• Alan Mozes
• May 21, 2019
• Full Page

Interest in homemade sunscreens is hot, but many of these do-it-yourself brews lack effective sun protection, a new study warns.

Researchers found that only about one-third of homemade sunscreens on the popular information-sharing website Pinterest specified how much...

Mustaches Are More Than Just Manly, They Guard Against Sun's Rays

• Alan Mozes
• May 21, 2019
• Full Page

For all of those men who view a mustache as a largely ornamental addition to their masculine appearance, a new study reveals it can also guard against lip cancer.

"Mustaches seem to protect the lip the same way that hair protects the scalp," explained study author D...

Young, and Learning Too Late That Sun Safety Matters

• Dennis Thompson
• May 14, 2019
• Full Page

The pain Sara Langill felt in her right hip didn't concern her much, until she felt a lump as she massaged tendons near her hip flexors following a soccer game.

"I felt this thing that felt like a rubbery grape," recalls Langill, 33. Thinking it might be a hernia, sh...

Cover Up! Don't Soak Up Those Sun Rays

• Robert Preidt
• May 10, 2019
• Full Page

Only half of Americans routinely protect themselves from the sun when outdoors, a recent American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) survey found.

Those who don't practice sun safety put themselves at increased risk for skin cancer, which is the most common cancer in the U...

Sunscreen Chemicals Enter Bloodstream at Potentially Unsafe Levels: Study

• Dennis Thompson
• May 6, 2019
• Full Page

For years, you've been urged to slather on sunscreen before venturing outdoors. But new U.S. Food and Drug Administration data reveals chemicals in sunscreens are absorbed into the human body at levels high enough to raise concerns about potentially toxic effects.

B...

How to Avoid Skin Problems When You Garden

• Robert Preidt
• April 22, 2019
• Full Page

As you dig into gardening this spring, be sure you don't plant the seeds of skin problems, an expert advises.

"Adverse skin reactions from gardening are very common and may include bug bites and stings, plant-induced rashes, and cuts and infections," said Dr. Sonya K...

Sunscreen's Secret Bonus: It Could Help Keep You Cool

• Alan Mozes
• April 11, 2019
• Full Page

Sunscreen may do double duty when you're outside on a summer day, keeping you cool as it protects your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

New research suggests how: When unprotected skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, skin cells typically see a drop in...

When Using Moisturizers With Sunscreen, Don't Miss Around the Eyes

• Robert Preidt
• April 3, 2019
• Full Page

Even though many moisturizers now contain sunscreens, people may not put them on their faces as carefully as they do sunscreen lotions, new research suggests.

"Moisturizer is not as well applied as sunscreen," said lead author Kevin Hamill, a lecturer in eye and visi...

FDA Aims to Strengthen Sunscreen Rules

• Robert Preidt
• February 21, 2019
• Full Page

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration took steps Thursday to tighten regulation of over-the-counter sunscreen products.

Included in the proposed rule are updates on sunscreen safety, sun protection factor (SPF) requirements, and the effectiveness of insect repellent/...