Ever wonder if your doctor or specialist follows their own advice? Sunnybrook experts get candid with the approaches they take in their personal lives.
Dr. Jennifer Tran is a dermatologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.
Did you grow up in an environment where skincare was a priority?
No, I wouldn’t say it was a focus. As a kid, I remember my mom lathering me up with sunscreen when we were at the beach, but at that time it wasn’t widely known to always wear sunscreen and avoid the sun at peak times. All that definitely came into focus when I began to study dermatology
So what would you tell your younger self if you could?
When I was younger, I thought getting a base tan before going away on holidays was a good idea. I even went to tanning beds a few times. Like many people, I was told that getting a base tan would help reduce the risk of burning in the sun. Now as a dermatologist, I would never recommend getting a base tan due to increased risk of melanoma (skin cancer). If I really feel the need to look tanned, I use a self-tanner and make sure I lather up with sunscreen.
What does your daily skincare routine look like now?
I’m not loyal to one brand and I try to keep things really simple. Dermatologists tend to avoid fragrances and trendy ingredients because they could contain potential allergens.
In the morning I wash my face and apply sunscreen. These days, my foundation contains SPF 50 broad spectrum sunscreen, which offers good protection. In the evening, I use a simple fragrance-free face wash and apply a retinoid and moisturizer.
For my body, I moisturize when I get out of the shower and avoid using products that contain fragrance.
Do you think this routine will change as you get older?
No, I think I’ll use this routine for a long time. What’s always consistent is using a sunscreen in the morning, a retinoid at night and fragrance-free moisturizer for my face and body daily.
When you go to dinner parties, is it a given that someone will ask you about a skin issue?
Some people ask me if my job is anything like Dr. Pimple Popper. (It isn’t.) I do get a lot of parents asking about their kids’ rashes, but not so much their own! I love dermatology and enjoy answering questions to help ease people’s concerns.
What’s something people would find surprising about your job?
Probably how little my day-to-day work has to do with simply skin care. In dermatology, we treat a lot of sick people dealing with complex conditions, like autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. These sometimes serious conditions may manifest on the skin sometimes with rashes, boils and blisters. Recognizing skin findings that can be related to a serious underlying disease can help determine the diagnosis and treatment. It’s truly fascinating how the skin is a mirror of what’s happening inside our bodies.
