Latest news with #Zubritsky
USA Today
05-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Heading to the beach or pool? What you need to know about sunscreen and tanning
Summer is here! For people all across Ohio and the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, that means trips to the beach or pool. While achieving a "sun-kissed" tan is on many a summer bucket list, health experts are warning you not to ditch the sunscreen in an attempt to get your desired results more quickly. "Tanned skin is not a sign of healthy skin," dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky previously told USA TODAY. "Tanning is your body's attempt to produce more melanin to protect your skin from further DNA damage." Here's what you need to know about sunscreen and tanning before your next sunny outing. Does sunscreen prevent tanning? The short answer: Yes, when it's used correctly. The longer answer: That's a good thing. "Sunscreen works to reduce the amount of UV exposure to your skin," Zubritsky explains. Excessive UV exposure is responsible for more than 90% of skin cancers, according to Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health. Getting one severe sunburn before adulthood more than doubles the chance of developing skin cancer later in life, and getting more than five sunburns can double your risk of developing melanoma, a less common but more deadly form of skin cancer. Is chemical or mineral sunscreen better? Dermatologists discuss UV protection Research has shown that roughly 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, and experts estimate that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. But, Zubritsky adds, "even in a perfect scenario, most SPFs do not block 100% of UV rays from touching our skin, so there is still a risk that we can tan even when applying sunscreen, especially if sunscreens aren't used according to their instructions." Want to tan faster (and safer)? Refraining from using sunscreen isn't the answer to quick tanning, experts say. For an even faster – and safer – tan process, Zubritsky recommends getting a spray tan or purchasing sunless tanning products, such as over-the-counter self-tanners. While self-tanning products are considered safer than spray tans or natural tans, some concerns have arisen surrounding dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is the ingredient in fake tanning products that gives skin a brown pigment. But it's approved by the Food and Drug Administration for topical use, and medical experts say that when applied to the top layer of skin, it's unlikely to cause any major concerns. Zubritsky also notes that there's no truth to the idea that getting a "base tan" before vacation is safer: "This will not protect your skin from burning or further DNA damage," she says.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Heading to the beach or pool? What to know about sunscreen, tanning
Summer is here! For scores of people across the Northern Hemisphere, that means trips to the beach or pool. While achieving a "sun-kissed" tan is on many a summer bucket list, health experts are warning you not to ditch the sunscreen in an attempt to get your desired results more quickly. "Tanned skin is not a sign of healthy skin," dermatologist Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky previously told USA TODAY. "Tanning is your body's attempt to produce more melanin to protect your skin from further DNA damage." Here's what you need to know about sunscreen and tanning before your next sunny outing. Is chemical or mineral sunscreen better? Dermatologists discuss UV protection Does sunscreen prevent tanning? The short answer: Yes, when it's used correctly. The longer answer: That's a good thing. "Sunscreen works to reduce the amount of UV exposure to your skin," Zubritsky explains. Excessive UV exposure is responsible for more than 90% of skin cancers, according to Johns Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health. Getting one severe sunburn before adulthood more than doubles the chance of developing skin cancer later in life, and getting more than five sunburns can double your risk of developing melanoma, a less common but more deadly form of skin cancer. Research has shown that roughly 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, and experts estimate that 1 in 5 Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their lives, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. But, Zubritsky adds, "even in a perfect scenario, most SPFs do not block 100% of UV rays from touching our skin, so there is still a risk that we can tan even when applying sunscreen, especially if sunscreens aren't used according to their instructions." Sarah Ferguson treated for skin cancer: What to know about melanoma, sunscreen Want to tan faster (and safer)? Refraining from using sunscreen isn't the answer to quick tanning, experts say. For an even faster – and safer – tan process, Zubritsky recommends getting a spray tan or purchasing sunless tanning products, such as over-the-counter self-tanners. While self-tanning products are considered safer than spray tans or natural tans, some concerns have arisen surrounding dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is the ingredient in fake tanning products that gives skin a brown pigment. But it's approved by the Food and Drug Administration for topical use, and medical experts say that when applied to the top layer of skin, it's unlikely to cause any major concerns. Zubritsky also notes that there's no truth to the idea that getting a "base tan" before vacation is safer: "This will not protect your skin from burning or further DNA damage," she says.
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Dermatologist warns of three skin cancer myths everyone should know
An American board certified dermatologist has shared three melanoma misconceptions she thinks everyone should be aware of. Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that can spread to other parts of the body A dermatologist has shared three common myths about melanoma, highlighting the importance of awareness during May, which is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. This period emphasises the significance of early detection, prevention, and treatment of skin cancers. Melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer that can metastasise to other body parts, is primarily caused by ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds, according to NHS guidelines. Lindsey Zubritsky is an American board-certified dermatologist with expertise in various dermatological fields. Lindsey, known on social media as Dermguru, took to TikTok to dispel some widespread misunderstandings about melanoma. In her video, she said: "I need you to stop believing this. I'm a board certified dermatologist, I see patients all of the time. "These are some serious misconceptions that I see in clinic that you need to know about so you're not believing this too, and this is especially important because it deals with melanoma and other skin cancers." Only raised moles are bad One myth she tackles is the belief that only raised moles are a cause for concern. Zubritsky points out that while some raised moles may indeed be problematic, she has encountered numerous flat and smooth moles that were not prominent on the surface yet turned out to be "very dangerous, very deep melanomas." The NHS highlights that typical moles are generally circular and neatly edged, whereas melanomas can present with an irregular shape and multiple colours, reports Surrey Live. If a mole has been there forever, it's fine Dr. Zubritsky said: "The second thing is people always tell me that they've had this mole all their life therefore it can't possibly be bad." She recounted the frequency of these discussions, saying, "I can't tell you how many melanomas that I've diagnosed that someone has told me they've had that mole forever and it hasn't been changing and therefore it can't possibly be bad." She observed that this opinion is a regular point of discussion with her patients, as there's a widespread belief a longstanding mole isn't problematic. The NHS advises monitoring moles for changes in size, shape or colour, which could suggest melanoma, and to be vigilant for any swelling, bleeding, discomfort or flaking. Skin cancer only affects sun-exposed areas Dr. Zubritsky dispelled another myth, noting that skin cancer can develop regardless of whether the skin has been sun-exposed. She said that she conducts comprehensive skin examinations despite patients asking: "Why are you looking there? I don't get sun there." She emphasised the reality that melanomas and other types of skin cancers can indeed occur anywhere on the body. She said: "I've seen it on the eye, I've seen it in the buttocks, I've seen it in the genitals, I've seen it on the feet. "While sun and UV light is one of the most common causes for skin cancer, there are other causes as well therefore you can get skin cancer almost anywhere you have skin." The NHS has indicated that new moles or alterations to existing ones can be melanoma warning signs, with this type of cancer often occurring in body areas exposed regularly to the sun. Dr Zubritsky's observations align with the findings of the health service, which confirms that rarer melanoma forms can indeed affect less common areas such as the eyes, soles, palms or genitals. For those worried about any moles, it is advisable to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
CBC
23-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Edmonton church offers sanctuary for Ukrainians who need break from following the war
Social Sharing Archpriest Cornell Zubritsky sometimes hears the loud wailing of air raids thousands of kilometres away in Ukraine. The sirens screech from the cellphones of congregants at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Edmonton. "A lot of them have the air raid siren app on their phones here in Canada, and it will go off. They do that so that if it's their city, they get on the phone immediately to see if their relatives are OK," Zubritsky said in a recent interview. "For them, this is real. And then it makes it real for me because they're connected. They are fighting the war every day." Zubritsky said most of his 150-person congregation are immigrants from Ukraine. The church's membership declined during the COVID-19 pandemic but has grown again with families from Ukraine. Monday marks three years since the Russian invasion. Tens of thousands have been killed. About 300,000 Ukrainians have come to Canada on emergency visas since 2022. Zubritsky said some who attend his weekly church service have been losing hope, and they don't want to hear him talk about what's happening in their homeland. "For a few hours at least, they can come ... and have a little bit of reprieve of the daily stresses of having your country torn apart," he said. "They don't need reminders. They're reminded every day. They get texts, they get phone calls." Sitting in the church, Snizhana Kshetska said she hasn't given much thought to the anniversary. She and her three children, ages 10, 14 and 18, have been in Canada since the war started. Her husband had been in the Ukrainian army but was released last year and joined the family in Edmonton. "I don't measure my life like I'm here in Canada one year or three years. For me, it's awful every day, not like a third anniversary of the starting of this awful war," she said. "I think every day it is hard to realize that this happened with us, and nobody helps us to stop this." Kshetska said she would like to return to Ukraine someday and be with the friends and family she left behind. "From my kids, I am not sure," she said. "I think I will ask them and it will be their choice." Zubritsky said he no longer provides just tissues and emotional support for those from Ukraine. He helps them find jobs, deal with landlords and sort immigration issues. "As if they didn't have enough to deal with, with a reduced amount of immigration allowed this year, they're all panicking that Canada is going to kick them out," he said.
