As warmer weather draws more people outdoors, McGill University dermatologists are available to speak on sun safety and skin cancer prevention. 

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, and most cases are caused by UV exposure. Most Canadians don’t use sunscreen regularly, or at all, and one in three report having had sunburn in the past year. 

Ivan Litvinov, MD, Associate Professor, Division of Dermatology at McGill and scientist at St. Mary’s Research Centre can discuss his latest research on: 

• The persistent appeal of the “sun-kissed” tan and how beauty standards influence behaviour. 

• Worrisome trends in teen sun safety that may be contributing to rising melanoma rates in Canada. 

• “The sunscreen paradox”: Feeling protected by sunscreen can lead people to stay in the sun longer without reapplying, increasing their overall exposure. 

ivan.litvinov [at] mcgill.ca (English) 

Elena Netchiporouk, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Dermatology, can speak to sun protection strategies as well as the lesser-known effects of air pollution on skin health. With wildfire season starting earlier, smog levels are expected to rise, increasing exposure to pollutants that can trigger inflammation, worsen conditions like eczema and acne, and accelerate skin aging.  

elena.netchiporouk [at] mcgill.ca (English, French)