Jane Yoo MD PLLC

Clothing is not only a great form of self-expression, but it is an effective form of sun protection, too! 🌞👗 Dark or bright colored clothes absorb UV rays better than lighter shades. By choosing densely woven fabrics like denim or canvas over sheer or loosely woven materials, UV radiation will have a more difficult time penetrating through the fabric. Fabrics such as unbleached cotton, shiny polyesters, and high-tech UV-treated materials offer added protection by either absorbing or reflecting UV rays. Loose-fitting clothing is preferable, as tight clothes can stretch and allow more UV rays to pass through. Garments with a UPF label indicate how much they can shield from the sun’s rays. Keep in mind that stretched or wet clothing can lose its protective ability since it will be more transparent. Wearing long sleeves and pants will provide the most coverage from the sun. Stay stylish and sun safe!

Asian sunscreens have labeling different from the US, with a PA rating alongside SPF. While SPF measures UVB protection, the PA rating is all about UVA protection! The PA system uses ‘+’ signs to indicate the level of protection: PA+ offers some protection, PA++ offers moderate protection, and PA+++ provides extremely high protection. The more ‘+’ signs, the stronger the UVA defense. This rating is based on the PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) test, which measures how the sun’s UVA rays tan the skin; however, some people tan darker or take longer to tan. The PA rating provides a general UVA protection level of the sunscreen. When you see PA++++, it means the sunscreen offers robust protection against harmful UVA rays! For best protection, use sunscreens with both UVA and UVB protection, or broad-spectrum!

Sun safety is an important practice for all ages. Although kids and adults can protect themselves from the sun by applying sunscreen, sun protection looks a little different for babies six months old and younger. Babies in their first few months are more sensitive to sun exposure, but using sunscreen can irritate the skin and trap heat in. Instead of applying sunscreen, dress your baby in lightweight clothing that covers their arms and legs. Add a wide-brimmed hat to shield their face, neck, and ears from the sun. Practicing this method of sun protection will keep your baby sun safe (and fashionable)!

Can’t forget my sunglasses when I’m out for a run 😎 Eye protection shouldn’t be neglected when going outside. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to serious eye conditions including cataracts, macular degeneration, and corneal sunburn. UV radiation also makes your eyelids susceptible to basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Wearing sunglasses that block 99 to 100% of UVA and UVB rays can help prevent sun damage to your eyes!

Continuing with Hair Loss Awareness Month, let’s talk about traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is hair loss from wearing your hair in a tightly pulled hairstyle. Tight hairstyles include sleek ponytails and buns, cornrows, dreadlocks, and hair extensions. Constant pulling can cause strands of your hair or your hair follicles to break. Damage on the hair follicle can lead to permanent hair loss. If you prefer to have your hair out of your face, opt for looser hairstyles around the hairline. Traction alopecia can further be avoided by switching hairstyles to give your hair time to recover from any tension.

Tinted sunscreen has gained popularity, and for good reason: it protects against UV radiation AND visible light without leaving a white cast. Visible light is emitted by device screens and light bulbs, and it pe*****tes more deeply into the skin than UV radiation. It has been known to exacerbate hyperpigmentation in melasma. Non-tinted sunscreens are made with smaller particles to avoid a white cast on the skin which, in consequence, does not block visible light. Meanwhile, tinted sunscreens contain broad-spectrum mineral ingredients with pigments from iron oxides and titanium dioxide to create a skin-tone color that reflects the visible light. Both sunscreen types are effective for UV protection, but tinted sunscreen has the added benefit of reflecting visible light away from the skin!

Another cloudy and rainy day in the city this summer 🌧️ Just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean you’re excused from applying sunscreen! Up to 80% of UV rays can pe*****te through the clouds, and even 1-2% of the sun’s UV rays can cause damage to the skin. Although it may be harder to spot, it is possible to get a sunburn on a cloudy day. Rain or shine, applying (and re-applying) sunscreen is crucial to protecting your skin.

Starting August off by introducing Hair Loss Awareness Month! There are many types of hair loss, with one being alopecia areata. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that attacks hair follicles. Hair loss from alopecia areata can occur on the scalp, eyebrows, arms, legs, and eyelashes. However, the hair follicles are rarely destroyed so hair can regrow with treatment. Some hair loss treatments include corticosteroid application to bald spots, minoxidil, and prescription of a JAK inhibitor to lessen the activity of the immune system. People with hair loss often struggle emotionally, as society places a large emphasis on appearance. This month should be used to recognize the impact hair loss has on the people affected by it.

Solar lentigo, or age spots, are harmless, flat, circumscribed patches of darkened skin that result from exposure to UV radiation over time. The patches range from light brown to dark brown or black and vary in size. Often, they are found on the back of the hands or on the face where people are most exposed to sun. While there are topical and cosmetic treatments to fade the hyperpigmentation, these spots can return. As early preventative measures from developing solar lentigo, be sure to reapply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every two hours and minimize sun exposure!



(📸 Photo from American Academy of Dermatology website)

Sunscreen brushes are convenient products for maintaining SPF protection! These brushes contain mineral sunscreen, or sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, in the form of loose powder perfect for reapplying sunscreen when you wear a full face of makeup or when you want to keep a matte finish. You can also use it on your scalp to protect it from the sun! Sunscreen brushes are great for reapplication but should not be used as the primary sunscreen since it is often not used generously enough to reach full SPF protection of the product.

Whether you get sunburnt easily or you only tan, spending time outdoors and unprotected in the sun can damage your skin. There are some people who are at greater risk of skin damage from UV rays. This includes people with fairer skin and light-colored eyes, those who have a family history of skin cancer, those who have many moles on their body, and those who have freckles. People are also at greater risk of sun damage from UV rays if they live at high altitudes or live closer to the equator. Some UV radiation is beneficial since it provides your body with vitamin D, but it is important for everyone to protect themselves from excessive exposure by correctly applying sunscreen and shielding their skin from UV rays as much as possible.

July is also Melasma Awareness Month! Shedding light on this condition, melasma is characterized by hyperpigmented blotchy patches and freckle-like spots, usually on the face. Melasma is most common in women, especially during pregnancy or when they begin taking birth control pills. The condition may go away on its own, or it can last several years. While there are treatments that can help fade discoloration, it is common for melasma to reappear when the skin is excessively exposed to sun with little skin protection. In fact, people with melasma often say that their spots are more noticeable during the summer than in the winter!

Staying cool in the pool this summer? Don’t forget to protect your skin and hair before and after swimming! The chlorine in the pool can dry a swimmer’s skin and damage their hair, so let’s dive into ways to keep both healthy.

BEFORE YOU SWIM:
Take a shower so that the chemicals from the pool are absorbed more slowly by the hair and skin. Create a protective barrier from the chlorine by applying a leave-in conditioner to your hair and applying moisturizer and water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30+ to your skin. Wear a swim cap as a second barrier to prevent chlorine from reaching the hair.

AFTER YOU SWIM:
Rinse your body with fresh water immediately after you finish swimming to remove chlorine lingering on the skin. Use shampoo to remove the chemicals in your hair and conditioner to keep your hair from becoming brittle. Reapply sunscreen with SPF and moisturizer to your skin to protect it from UV radiation and restore hydration.

Today, July 8th, has been marked as World Skin Health Day with the theme ‘Skin Health for All’ to raise awareness of skin diseases and expand access to dermatological care.

The skin is the first barrier that protects the body from bacteria, viruses, and pollutants. Skin diseases are the third leading cause of illness and the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide. There are over 3,000 skin diseases, and over 1.8 billion people are affected by at least one of them. Over 3 billion people worldwide lack proper access to dermatological care, with some countries having�less than one dermatologist per million population to diagnose and treat conditions. By emphasizing education on skin health disparities and advocacy for equality in skin care access, World Skin Health Day serves as a key step in improving skin health globally.

Happy Fourth of July! This month is UV Safety Awareness Month. Did you know that there are different types of UV rays that reach our skin? UVA rays go deep into the skin, contributing to wrinkles and skin cancer growth. UVB rays damage the skin’s outer layers and are responsible for sunburn. Sunscreens in the U.S. mainly protect against UVB rays and offer little protection against most UVA rays, which is why it is recommended to seek shade!

Do you get “bugged” by mosquito bites during the summer? I know I do. Some people are more prone to getting mosquito bites than others. Here are some things that mosquitoes are attracted to:

🔹Carbon dioxide: Some people emit more carbon dioxide, such as pregnant women, and often experience more mosquito bites
🔹Body heat, skin odor, and perspiration: Mosquitos identify their hosts by detecting those elements
🔹People who do not have type A blood
🔹Dark-colored clothing

Fun tip: Use peppermint oil as a repellent. Mosquitoes dislike peppermint oil because it contains menthol, which causes them to go “nose blind”. The cooling sensation from the menthol can also help you relieve itchiness if you do get bitten.

Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking with Congress on the importance of sunscreen innovation for Safer UNDER THE Sun™ Day hosted by dsm-firmenich in Washington DC. The event brought top medical professionals, personal care experts, and sunscreen product specialists together to discuss the need to advance sunscreen formulations, streamline sunscreen regulation, and overcome barriers preventing new OTC sunscreens in the U.S. With skin cancer frequently being diagnosed, it is essential that we highlight the significance of improving and expanding sun protection.

Ran the NYRR Mini 10K in Central Park this past Saturday, signaling the beginning of summer and the start of fall marathon training! Elite runners blaze through the race, but for those of us who can’t run as fast, one essential remains: re-applying sunscreen! Loving the Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ for its ease of application and gentle touch to the skin.

June marks the beginning of marathon training and last weekend I ran the Mastercard 10k in Central Park. So thrilled to have participated in the 51st running of this historic race!

With the haze coming into NYC from the north, it is great opportunity to learn about the best ways to protect your skin from high concentrations of pollutants in the air:

1. Washing your face daily is the simplest way to keep your skin clean and prevent buildup of particles. You can use whichever cleanser of your choice!
2. Reducing exposure! Following guidelines to try to minimize your time spent outdoors and move any activities indoors if possible.
3. Use an antioxidant in your skin care routine. Vitamin E or Vitamin C oil are great options to use, not just now, but year round :)
4. Stay moisturized to help combat any of the damage that may have been done already by exposure.

I hope everyone stays safe and healthy during this time!

Another abroad stop into a local pharmacy to check out the skincare section 😍 It's my first time here in Lisbon, so I loved to see what they have to offer. Can't wait to try all the new goodies from my haul!

Check out what I had to say about the best Korean sunscreen for the protection during this ☀

https://www.prevention.com/beauty/skin-care/g43931361/best-korean-sunscreens/

Had an amazing time leading the exosome discussion with and our fantastic panel. This was the first time ever all exosome companies were in the same room sharing the benefits of each exosome therapy!

Can't wait for the rest of the weekend 🌟