UCI Health doctor helps dispel myth about UV radiation, sunburn
ermatology and biological chemistry at the UCI School of Medicine.
IN THE NEWS: Despite some claims to the contrary circulating on social media, one cannot develop an immunity to ultraviolet radiation, says a UCI Health expert.
UCI Health dermatologist Dr. Anand Ganesan, a professor of dermatology and biological chemistry, spoke to USA Today about why using sun exposure to increase melanin is a bad idea.
“Melanin is a pigment in the skin that acts as a natural sunscreen to prevent UV damage to DNA.”
When one burns or tans, he said, the body produces more melanin. However, by then, the damaging cell mutations have already taken place.
Ganesan is the co-director of the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Institute’s Biotechnology, Imaging and Drug Development program. His research focuses on understanding how melanocytes respond to environmental cues, such as UV radiation and inflammation, to maintain homeostasis and how disease disrupts that state.
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