Suntans, Cornflakes, Coco Chanel & Skin Cancer

The association between light skin color and high social status has a long and distinguished history in Western society.  In Victorian England, light skin was venerated and considerable effort was expended to keep women, particularly the upper class, out of the sun.  Women in the Victorian period went to great lengths to avoid sun exposure… Continue reading

Cold Hands and Warm Heart: It May Be in Your Genes

The recent southerly shift of the polar vortex and the concomitant plunging temperatures prompted me to think about how we deal with cold weather.  We have all heard the expression “Cold hands, warm heart,” in reference to an individual’s disposition or personality, but what about response to cold weather? Recently much of the US experienced… Continue reading