/oss/taxonomy/term/1743/all en /oss/article/medical-student-contributors/cloudy-chance-sunburn <p>Imagine stepping outside on a cloudy day, feeling confident that your skin is safe from the sun's rays simply because the sun is hidden behind a layer of clouds. This common belief can be misleading and potentially harmful. The truth is, even on those overcast days, up to 80% of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can still reach your skin, so sunscreen is your skin's best friend, rain or shine.</p> Fri, 26 Jul 2024 17:28:16 +0000 Hosna Akhgary 10011 at /oss /oss/article/medical-critical-thinking-environment/there-are-safe-sunscreens-no-safe-tans <p>When it comes to health matters, scientists rarely make statements that do not begin with “may.” But here is one. Excessive exposure to sunlight causes skin cancer! There’s no “may” about it. And here is another one. Chemical protection can effectively reduce exposure. Uncertainties do, however, emerge when it comes to deciding on which specific chemicals to use. Activists claim that some sunscreens are unsafe and blame regulatory agencies for not looking after the welfare of the public, while manufacturers profess that their products have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy.</p> Wed, 03 Jul 2024 02:33:48 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9993 at /oss /oss/article/you-asked-general-science/what-does-spf-sunscreen-really-mean <p>With all the options out there, choosing the right product can be difficult. Stores are packed with many options, branded with anything from “Ultra-Sport” to “Hydrating”, but each and every label will report a <b>sun protection factor, or “SPF” value.</b></p> <p>In theory, that wearing a sunscreen with a SPF value of 30 allows you to stay in the sun for 30 times longer than if you skipped the sun protection. In practice, it is a bit more complicated.</p> Fri, 24 Jun 2022 00:02:20 +0000 Cat Wang 9146 at /oss /oss/article/health-technology/are-summer-clothes-protecting-your-skin-sunburns <p>How much protection does your white T-shirt offer you in the summer when you’re out in the sun? Would you say it’s impossible to get a sunburn underneath that garment?</p> Fri, 26 Jul 2019 14:56:53 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 7838 at /oss