But my suncare routine hasn’t evolved at all since then. I still use an all-over SPF 30 aerosol, and am… less than vigilant with reapplication. (I know, I know.)
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US, with melanoma topping the list as the most dangerous. Scientists are making progress — like identifying a type of HPV that can cause skin cancer, trialing anover-the-counter melanoma test, and developing a treatment starring none other than…the herpes virus. I love a redemption arc.
Protection best practices are the same: SPF of at least 30 with broad-spectrum UV protection. Sounds obvious, but with health influencers telling people to stare into the sun, tanning beds getting a “wellness” rebrand (yikes), and more people believing that sunscreen is a Big Pharma conspiracy, you can never be too sure.
With that in mind, I’m officially committing to a grownup suncare routine. That means…
Also, I asked a derm about whether I’m exposing my hands to harmful UV light under those drying machines at the nail salon. Keep scrolling for his advice.
— Anna “Keeping My Sunny Disposition, Though” Davies, writer
PS: Maintaining strong friendships can feel like a full-time job. Join us –– and a licensed therapist –– next week for a virtual workshop on how to keep your friends close through career shifts, moves, expanding families, and everything in between. Sign up here.
Pep Talk
Unless you’ve been in a sensory deprivation tank for the last few years, you’ve been hearing about “peptides” nonstop.
A quick 101: Peptides are chains of amino acids — think of them as tiny biological pearls on a string — that perform essential jobs like repairing muscle damage, or breaking down food in your stomach.
Pharma’s paying attention: GLP-1s, a class of synthetic peptides that regulate digestion and tell your brain when you’re full, have become a sensation. They help diabetics control their blood sugar and everyone on New York’s Upper East Side lose 10-15 pounds. So far, these drugs are easier to make, more effective, and possibly safer than others on the market… not to mention wildly profitable.
And the wellness world is excited: The biohacker class is now injecting, swallowing, and slathering on peptides in the name of muscle growth, fat loss, better sleep, higher libido, anti-aging, and more. Some swear by “stacks,”(multiple peptides injected in a row) while others just go for “the Wolverine shot.”
Is this legal? It’s murky. Some peptides are FDA-approved asprescriptions (like GLP-1s). But many are purchased on unregulated online marketplaces. The FDA has been cracking down, but seems likely to back off under HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
Is this safe? Also murky. Compounded peptides aren’t regulated the way prescriptions are, and people are dosing themselves without medical guidance. This opens the door to contamination. See: Two women that ended up critically ill after getting peptide injections at a Las Vegas immortality expo.
Don't fall for marketing. The popularity of peptides — especially semaglutide, the ingredient found in Ozempic — has created an unregulated market of pills, patches, sprays, and supplements. But buyer beware.
Mind the side effects. Semaglutide can come with serious downsides (like vision changes), particularly when you’re mixing and dosing on your own. Check in with a provider who knows your meds and health history first.
Topicals are different. Peptides in creams or hair serums are generally low-risk and effective. Here’s what they can do.
What’s Cooler Than Cold? Your Farmer’s Market Haul
Here’s one easy, healthy hack you’ll thank yourself for in December… freeze your produce.
We know, we know, you’ve tried it, and you ended up with a frozen fruit blob. But you probably missed a critical step: Flash freezing.
Here’s how to do it:
Cut up larger fruits and veggies like watermelon or cantaloupe.
Lay the produce flat on a parchment-paper covered baking sheet.
"My recommendation is typically to use sunscreen 15 minutes before nail appointments. The sunscreen will prevent any UV damage, protecting from skin cancers and aging effects from UVA and UVB. The nail plate is pretty good at blocking UVB and OK at blocking UVA. Overall, I think the risk of this activity is low.”
Next to popsicles and beach days, slipping under cool sheets is one of our favorite summer pleasures. Here, our favorites to minimize sweat… and maximize your Zs.
