Does your child wear a hat on the playground during recess? If not, your child is not the only one. Many elementary schools in the U.S. ban students from wearing hats on school grounds. As a result, children are left exposed to peak ultraviolet radiation on the playground. Read about ways you can protect your children during school hours.

Dermatologists agree that style is just as important as long lasting UPF 50 coverage when it comes to choosing sun protective clothing. This was a frequent comment at this year’s American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Diego, California. Dermatologists often recommend sun protective clothing to patients with sun sensitive conditions, such as skin cancer, but claim patients more often comply when sun protective clothing looks like normal clothing that’s “in-style”. After hearing numerous comments from dermatologists at the AAD Annual Meeting last weekend, Coolibar sun protective clothing has great news for those looking for “stylish” sun protective clothing.

At Coolibar, we like to keep in close touch with the physicians and nurses who help educate those dealing with a number of skin conditions that cause sun sensitivity. That’s why each year we attend the two principal conferences for dermatologists and dermatology nurses, and this year is no exception.

According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Dermatology, the answer is yes for many teens and young adults in the United States. When asked if they think people look more attractive with a tan, a large percentage of respondents (66 percent) answered yes, especially indoor tanners (87 percent).

On Sunday, October 9, 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill making California the first state to prohibit minors from using tanning beds. This raises the question, should teens be able to decide whether or not to use tanning beds? According to Aim at Melanoma Foundation, using a tanning bed before the age of 20 doubles a person’s risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Even more staggering is that 28 million individuals in the U.S. use tanning beds each year despite the statistics, which includes 2.3 million teens.

Dermatologists are way more than “pimple popping M.D.s”, which according to the popular ‘90s sitcom Seinfeld is all the profession is good for. They save and improve lives every day by helping people get control of their problematic skin, hair and nail conditions. Here are some of the top reasons to see a dermatologist.

The intense sun and extreme heat has been taking its toll on many volunteers and residents in Joplin, MO who are working to restore the town after a devastating tornado touched-down on May 22, 2011. Sun hats donated to relief efforts offer protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays and the extreme heat.

The FDA recently announced new guidelines that sunscreen manufacturers will be required to follow for over-the-counter sunscreen labeling. Now in order to earn a “broad spectrum” designation, sunscreens must protect from both UVB (burning) rays and UVA (aging) rays. Read on for a summary of improvements as well as how Coolibar can help ease confusion.

For the ninth year in a row, Coolibar’s team of Sun Protection Experts made an appearance at the American Academy of Dermatology’s 69th Annual Meeting, the largest dermatology meeting of the year. Check out our recap of the conference and photo album of the bustling Coolibar booth.

Dermatologist Dr. Jaime Davis of Uptown Dermatology talks about the need for vitamin D and the best ways to obtain sufficient levels. Ultraviolet light is not the safest way to get your vitamin D.