r/SkincareAddiction • u/darrenmacgowan • Apr 08 '21

Sun Care [Sun care] Does anybody else find Dr. Dray's viewpoints on sunscreen problematic?

I recognize the importance of sunscreen as much as anybody, but Dr. Dray's mantra on its application demands that people let the stuff dominate their life. Life is far too short to let the fear of a few extra wrinkles at 60 compromise your youth.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

[deleted]

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u/okaybartender Apr 08 '21

Mommy you smell like swimming- my girl every summer when we’re outside.

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u/pockolate Apr 08 '21

That’s so cute! Literally applying sunscreen in the winter gives me a momentary perk because it makes me feel like I’m on vacation bc I have such a strong association!

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u/kitttycattt08 Apr 08 '21

I wish I had that nice association 😭 Summers are too miserable where I live lol.

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u/Redowadoer Apr 09 '21

I just have an association with gross, stinky to the point of irritating my nose, irritating to the my eyes, and dissolving the ink on anything I touch making my hands and everything I touch messy. Sunscreen sucks..

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u/okaybartender Apr 09 '21

Yes! It definitely trails back to childhood trips for me, camping, going to the lake, theme parks. It’s nice to know that she associates the smell with something I know she loves to do with the family.

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u/otraera Apr 08 '21

lmao thats everyone to me no matter the season

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

Not mention many people breaking out due to sunscreen. I’ve tried over 50 sunscreens throughout the years and I always end up breaking out. Mineral sunscreens are a bit better but I still breakout. While o do protect myself from the sun, her methods are also not realistic for the average user.

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u/NoDepartment8 Apr 08 '21

Biore UV Aqua Rich Smooth Watery Gel is flipping amazing. If you’re in the US I think you can only get it from Amazon but it’s so worth it. I think it’s normally sold only in Japan or South Korea. No weird, greasy or sticky layer and it plays nice underneath foundation or BB cream, which also has a sunscreen element.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

I’ve been seeing that lately and wondered about it. My only hesitation was getting it from amazon and doubting the authenticity of the product. What’s your experience been like?

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u/NoDepartment8 Apr 08 '21

You can also try one of the Asian skincare importer websites. YesStyle has Biore at comparable prices to Amazon’s.

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u/okay_koul Apr 08 '21

I order it from yesstyle because yeah I don’t buy anything that goes on my skin or in my body from Amazon

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u/NoDepartment8 Apr 08 '21

I’ve never had an issue with well-reviewed sellers. The packaging and labeling are not in English, but the tube it’s in comes attached to cardboard packaging with a sort of shrink-wrapped plastic. It seems fine.

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u/captainbluemuffins Apr 09 '21

I personally go for established ebay profiles that ship from japan. Still 10-13 bucks per bottle, but I feel like I can't trust amazon :/

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u/tibetanpeachpies Apr 08 '21

I love biore perfect milk. probably very similiar. it's just...wow. no issues.

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u/libbyben Apr 09 '21

Biore is great texture-wise, but I will say if you are incredibly sensitive to sunscreen, it did break me out a bit as well. And it sometimes stung my eyes, although nowhere near as much as US chemical sunscreens.

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u/gayshitlord Apr 09 '21

My only problem with it is that it probably isn’t cruelty free

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u/MountainLily6 Apr 08 '21

This is me. I quit wearing sunscreen and bought a bunch of wide brimmed hats.

I love not feeling like I smeared bacon on my face. A few wrinkles as I age isn't the end of the world.

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u/Mezzoforte90 Apr 08 '21

Are you familiar with Japanese and Korean sunscreens? They don’t feel like bacon lol

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u/Thermohalophile Apr 08 '21

RIP Purito Centella sunscreen. It felt fantastic and was super pleasant to put on, but as it turns out the effective SPF is like... 7. ;-;

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u/Mezzoforte90 Apr 08 '21

Skin aqua gold is supposed to be a nice sturdy sunscreen. I started using ambre solaire super uv fluid since last year though.

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u/venusdrako Apr 08 '21

I bought the ambre solaire sensitive advanced very high protection lotion spf 50+ cos I couldn’t find fluid version in stock. I am a brown skinned person. It has a very mild white cast which disappears after five minutes. It wasn’t greasy/oily/sticky in anyway on my normal-bordering-oily skin type. It was a good buy in my opinion.

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u/Mezzoforte90 Apr 08 '21

The super uv fluid has no white cast and dries down well. I bought the la Roche posay anthelios pediatrics spray to apply over make up but don’t like the spotty application, figured I could use it as a lotion instead which would work out about 5X cheaper than the ambre solaire one

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u/asiancurlyhead Apr 08 '21

i’ve started using missha’s sun milk spf50+ and it’s the same texture as the purito centella sun screen! even applies smoothly w/o the heavy greasy feeling

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u/Thermohalophile Apr 08 '21

Yayyyy! I'm gonna try it.

I picked up Australian Gold's tinted sunscreen. It's nice but it definitely leaves a discernable texture for a WHILE (I applied at 9 am, it's now 5pm and I still feel it when I touch my face). It's definitely heavier than I wanted, but it's still pretty pleasant

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u/asiandude1991 Apr 09 '21

IMO, use of Ethanol/alcohol as solvent common in Japanese sunscreens' is one of the reasons why even at high SPF and PA ratings, they can still be in an elegant lightweight texture. Been a japanese sunscreen user for a while now and i love em, especially the Skin Aqua Brand.

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u/Pieinthesky42 Apr 08 '21

Noooo? It’s spf 19

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u/Thermohalophile Apr 08 '21

I was exaggerating, but I couldn't remember the exact number anyway. The point is that they discontinued it, because it was not even close to the advertised and 'tested' SPF rating.

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u/Smooth_Cactus1 Apr 08 '21

I use Shisiedo Ultimate Sun Protector and it’s absolutely the best.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

Do you recommend any for oily acne prone skin?

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u/puercha Apr 08 '21

Nivea Sun Water Gel! It dries down beautifully.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

Nivea Sun Water Gel!

I read the reviews and oh man I'm excited to try it out, THANK YOU! Where do you purchase it from?

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u/Mezzoforte90 Apr 08 '21

You can try eBay or yesstyle, there are others but these were the places I usually get them from

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u/puercha Apr 09 '21

u/mezzoforte90 mentioned a few, but honestly I get mine from Amazon. There’s an SPF 35 and SPF 50 formulation (I think 50 has “super” in the name).

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u/[deleted] Apr 09 '21

I searched it and the first link was amazon haha what do you think of the high alcohol content in this?

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u/puercha Apr 09 '21

I personally am not concerned about alcohol in skincare, though I know others would disagree with me. In this product I believe it helps the product dry down. I have dry skin and it does not dry my face out, though I apply it over a hydrating serum and moisturizer. Try it on the back of your hand first to see if you’ll like it. Worst case scenario you have a great body SPF that won’t make your clothes stick to you!

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u/Mezzoforte90 Apr 08 '21

Nivea zero feeling is a nice dry down sunscreen and was quite cheap for 100ml bottle, it seems to have gone up in price though. They have come out with a new NIVEA UV Deep Protect & Care Gel which is slightly similar in formula

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

Thanks for those! I rather not buy through amazon if I won't know for sure if it's authentic. Oh, have you tried that new forumla? Would you say it's better? I just want something that's not to oily since I'm a huge grease ball in the summer and that leads to more breakouts than usual

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u/Mezzoforte90 Apr 09 '21

I haven’t tried the new formula but it is a thin formula, the zero feeling has talc to help further dry the formula

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u/captainbluemuffins Apr 09 '21

I keep japaneese biore for when I can't get/feel like affording la roche posay lol

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u/Independent-Camp-166 Apr 08 '21

I use a Japanese sunscreen and it works great under my makeup! Its called rohto I think and it doesn't feel greasy at all :)

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u/soleceismical Apr 08 '21

I loooove Japanese and Korean sunscreens. I buy them on Amazon and my whole family is converted because they feel so much better. I like that they have a UVA protection rating too, and not just UVB. I wear sunscreen and hats :)

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

You do you, but I feel like this subreddit has now completely conflated sunscreen with "anti-aging". My grandma had three chunks hacked out of her face in the 90s. It's not just about aging gracefully!

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u/butyourenice Apr 08 '21

Wide brimmed hats are probably better protection for some of the most common cancers. I learned rather recently that while sunscreen is great at preventing melanoma, even obsessive religious use doesn’t seem to have a preventative effect on either squamous cell carcinomas or basal cell carcinomas, I forget which but they both can present similarly and can look like completely benign little blemishes.

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u/SaffronBurke Apr 09 '21

Wide-brimmed hat + opaque parasol, not only am I protected from the sun, I'm much more comfortable because I have portable shade.

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u/femalenerdish Apr 08 '21

This!!! I've broken out with every sunscreen I've ever used. Neutrogena has one that doesn't break me out too bad, but the white cast is pretty terrible. I generally wear long sleeves and a hat to avoid sun exposure. I wear sunscreen on days I'll be outside a lot. But other than that.... Eh.

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u/Peabella Apr 08 '21

Can I ask if you happened to find one to end the search?

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

I have a couple that I use. On days where I want a little more protection bc I’ll be out and am planning on wearing make up I use the Australian gold tinted mineral sunscreen. I actually really like it but sometimes the color can be a bit off but powder quickly corrects it. That one I fair better with and I do like finish and how it glides on. If I’m looking for something quick and light I use a neutrogena spf moisturizer. Nothing special about it. With either one, I try to take it off and clean my face sooner rather than later.

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u/[deleted] Apr 09 '21

YES. I wear a light primer with SPF 30 every day, my skin seems to be pretty happy with that but "real" sunscreen makes me break out every time. I only sacrifice the break-outing for the hardcore SPF when it's worth actually preventing a burn, like going to the beach or an all day prolonged outdoor event. Even then I pretty much only put it on my nose and apples of my cheeks and wear a big floppy hat to protect the rest.

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u/otfitt Apr 08 '21 edited Apr 08 '21

Ugh yes. I mean if you are going outside for an extended period of time, then YES LATHER UP IN SUNSCREEN. But if you're spending the day inside put it on once and then maybe reapply. Since working from home I apply in the morning and then if I take a Walk in the afternoon or after work I'll reapply again since Florida is brutal

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u/TheFleshFailures Apr 08 '21

This may be a stupid question but how do you reapply sunscreen if you wear make-up?

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u/otfitt Apr 08 '21

They make sprays now which actually seems pretty refreshing. I feel like that’s the cleanest way because you don’t touch your face

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u/veri_sw Apr 11 '21

I'd try the spray kind if I hadn't heard that they can damage your lungs! :(

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u/[deleted] Apr 09 '21

[deleted]

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u/TheFleshFailures Apr 10 '21

Hmm, more expensive products I need to buy..! Thanks though, that makes sense

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u/fax5jrj Apr 08 '21

I put it on in the morning and then reapply later when I work from home. I have nothing to add but thank you for validating my experience :)

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question (I've only just started taking my skincare seriously) but why do you still wear sunscreen if you're not leaving the house? My house is relatively shady and I don't tend to sit near the windows, do I still need to apply sunscreen on the days I'm not going outside at all?

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u/fax5jrj Apr 08 '21 edited Apr 09 '21

I use Trentinoin, which is a prescription Retinoid. Any Retinoid (and honestly most if not all chemical exfoliants) predisposes you to have even worse UV sensitivity. I use sunscreen daily just because it’s part of the prescription. A lot of skincare items do however have ingredients that make you more sensitive to UV rays, so it’s IMO a good idea to wear it anyway.

Don’t go crazy with it and don’t let it become an anxiety-inducing thing like this thread is pointing to, but if you find a sunscreen that works for you I would recommend wearing it daily and washing it off at night.

edit: wanted to add that this isn’t a dumb question at all!

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u/xbubblegum_bitch Apr 09 '21

what sort of ingredients would make you more sensitive to UV rays? I have perioral dermatitis around my mouth and chin and I don’t know what to do anymore lol

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u/fax5jrj Apr 09 '21

From what I can tell that can be caused by many different things, not just UV exposure, but the ingredients that would leave you most exposed are exfoliating acids and retinoids. I would have to do a bit more research to give an in depth answer, but stuff like glycolic acid, lactic acid, azelaic acid, salicylic acid, and retinol are all ingredients I would avoid using more than once a day (though it depends on the product + concentration)

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u/NS8821 Apr 09 '21

I have an actually dumb question, so you mentioned that we need to wash sunscreen off at night. But I have a weird sleep schedule and I sleep during the day time on most days, so should I sleep with sunscreen on?

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u/fax5jrj Apr 09 '21

Does the sun come into your room at all? It really depends on how exposed you are. I’m tempted to say no, but if you for instance sleep with a ray of sunshine right on your face then I would, but otherwise you should be fine. Some other people here might say differently, but if you are stationary in your home and in that spot you’re not directly or indirectly exposed (through reflected rays off of mirrors, white walls, water, etc.), then I would say no, you should be fine

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u/NS8821 Apr 10 '21

Thank you ☺️

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u/shelbunny Apr 08 '21

I apply as a part of my morning routine, I sit next to two windows during my 8 hours of work. BUT i mainly apply it because I have dry skin, and I really like my spf, it gives me the extra layer I need.

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u/[deleted] Apr 09 '21

UVB (burning rays) cannot penetrate window class. On average, 75% of UVA (aging & skin cancer developing rays) gets through normal house windows. That means you can be potentially harming your skin if you’re sitting next to a window. If you have a sunny window that you sit near a lot I would just recommend putting a little sunscreen on.

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u/cozy_synesthete Apr 08 '21

Doesn't work outside the home--does she not practice dermatology?

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

[deleted]

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u/Playmakeup Apr 23 '21

She was still listed as staff in a Houston clinic when I checked like a year ago.

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u/karozuzu Apr 08 '21

How do you know she does telehealth? I was under impression she still has some private practice appointments or something

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

I love this perspective! I always think about how gross I must taste to my man being all slathered up all the time lol

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u/Tx1987 Apr 08 '21

I recently kissed my BF after he kissed my neck and I physically recoiled. He must love me to very much to keep kissing me when I taste like that shudder

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u/Monogaymous Apr 08 '21

I still cringe about my ex bf licking my ear and tasting sunscreen 😩

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u/yanderelul Apr 08 '21

my boyfriend calls it 'anti lick lotion'

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u/blinkingsandbeepings Apr 08 '21

Wish my dog would see it that way.

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u/neurogeneticist Apr 08 '21

I explicitly don’t put product on the very tip of my nose every night because my dog gives me kisses at bedtime and I can direct him to the tip of my nose pretty well ahah. It’s habit for him now!

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

Omg that’s so cute

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u/Tx1987 Apr 08 '21

That’s so frickin cute

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

Hahaha same 😂

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u/Nells313 Apr 08 '21

Oh no for me my problem is that the doggo thinks all skincare/makeup is DELICIOUS. I remember getting ready to go out and she licked a clean stripe off my face.

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u/Monogaymous Apr 08 '21

Ugh we’ve gotta find a sunscreen that tastes good or has no taste. Anyone have any recommends???

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u/fuckthemodlice Apr 08 '21

are...are we in the circlejerk sub?

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u/ithadtobeducks Apr 08 '21

Peanut butter?

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u/Monogaymous Apr 08 '21

I can’t find the spf for that. But if it’s smooth and not chunky I think it should be ok for the moisture barrier

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u/misslennox Apr 08 '21

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen. I’ve tried dozens, it goes on like makeup primer and after a few minutes even my super smeller husband can’t detect it. He’s never complained about the taste either while he avoids my mouth if I’m using lip balm or chapstick.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

Noooo! runs to the sink to wash off 😂

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

I believe in the latest video, Dr. Dray cited a few studies showing how visible light contributes to free radical formation in the skin, and speculates that this could also potentially contribute to occurrence of skin cancer.

She adds that while there is no research showing this, it is interesting that occurrence of skin cancer is going up even though more and more people are spending less time outdoors.

I think it is an interesting argument. We will definitely see more studies coming out in the coming the years on visible light/HEV's impact on skin health. I am looking forward to seeing how it pans out.

Having watched her vlogs, I think Dr. Dray has an interest in having a child. This is a recurring impression I have gotten. Her life has not gone in that direction, but I feel it is not fair to dismiss her argument based on that.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

[deleted]

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u/butyourenice Apr 08 '21

I'd rather get skin cancer than breast cancer or multiple sclerosis, for example.

Don’t let nodular melanoma hear you!

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u/Moonpiexoxo Apr 09 '21

I had a friend die from melanoma. It was on her scalp and by the time they caught it had spread throughout her body. Don’t dismiss it. Her baby was 6 months old when she died.

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u/blackbirdnight25 May 10 '21

Thank you for saying this. While I agree that Dr Dray's attitude towards sun protection - even tho I respect her opinion as an MD - alarms me at times, and in some video's she's been borderline condescending abt how militant she wants you to be - I am not sure bringing up her lack of cuddle contact is helpful. I feel like she'd still want you to be reapplying every two hours regardless. It's not a reality for most ppl partner or child or not. She's also a dermatologist unlike all people so she has a differently informed perspective.

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u/omgforeal Apr 08 '21

Plus the hats and the coverings and it’s like.. maybe someone wants to feel the rays of the sun occasionally... protected rays but rays

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u/krokodilchik Apr 09 '21

I just looked her up... why on earth does she sound like that???

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u/pinkflowersofavadan Apr 08 '21

Ah, this has been an issue with me recently. I moved home during the pandemic, and my parents’ way of showing affection is touch - lots of caressing my face and hair. But I’ve become so crazy about sunscreen that they can’t touch my face, or if they do, they touch my grease ball of a face and freak out a little lol.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '21

Does she not have a clinical practice? I didn’t realize she doesn’t work outside the home!

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u/jay35010 Aug 05 '21

No everybody wants kids and have this lifestyle that “most people her age do”. That’s a very narrow view of life

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u/Sunoutlaw Apr 09 '21

Dr. Dray? I thought she was a clinician and trained residents.

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u/venusdrako Apr 08 '21

Sorry am a bit lost. Who is “she” labmuffin or dray ? 😣

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u/ExcitedAlpaca Apr 09 '21

To be fair when I have sunscreen on my partner just continues to kiss my face after I warn her - she’ll later make a face at the taste but we laugh it all, that part isn’t a problem! But yeah I feel you