The Art of Being Well
The Art of Being Well

SPF Myths, Sunscreen Controversies, Red Light & Why Freckles Are a Warning Sign | Dr. Dennis Gross

May 11, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Sunscreen, Skin Cancer, and the Science of Repair

Dr. Dennis Gross, a board-certified dermatologist and former melanoma researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering, joined Dr. Will Cole to unpack the mechanisms behind sun damage, the limits of sunscreen, and what actually works to repair skin. The conversation moved from molecular biology to practical daily habits, with Gross emphasizing that the best approach to skin health is neither total sun avoidance nor reckless exposure, but informed, individualized balance.

What Sun Actually Does to Skin

Ultraviolet light is a form of radiation that causes DNA mutations. Gross explained that the fundamental problem is not just oxidative stress or inflammation—though both play a role—but that UV damage causes skin cells to reproduce when they should not. Melanocytes, the cells that give skin its color, are not supposed to proliferate. When they do, that is the beginning of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer.

Freckles, Gross said bluntly, are "a cry for help." They indicate that at some point the skin received more UV exposure than was healthy for that person's skin type. Many patients tell him they have worn sunscreen for years and still have freckles or sunspots. His response: the damage was done a decade or two earlier. Sun damage has a delayed effect, and the visible signs often appear only later in life.

Continue reading the full summary in the app — free to try.

Read Full Summary →

Free • No credit card required

Listen to Audio Summary Open in App

What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:36) **Introducing Dr. Dennis Gross** - Board-certified dermatologist and researcher joins the podcast to discuss skin cancer, sun protection, and skincare science.
  • 2 (10:50) **How UV Radiation Damages Skin at the Molecular Level** - A clear breakdown of how sunlight causes genetic mutations and skin cancer.
  • 3 (14:04) **The ABCDEs of Skin Cancer Detection** - A practical guide for self-exams to identify suspicious moles.
  • 4 (19:33) **The Truth About Freckles and Sunspots** - Why these are warning signs of past damage, not just cosmetic features.
  • 5 (22:37) **Finding Balance: Sun Avoidance vs. Vitamin D** - Dr. Gross offers a nuanced, middle-ground approach to sun exposure.
  • 6 (32:49) **Physical vs. Chemical Sunscreen** - A breakdown of the two types and Dr. Gross's professional preference.
  • 7 (36:30) **Best Practices for Sunscreen Application and Reapplication** - Practical tips for effective sun protection.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Dr. Will Cole

Show Notes

Dr. Dennis Gross - board-certified dermatologist, melanoma researcher, and founder of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare - joins Dr. Will Cole for a masterclass on everything your skin is trying to tell you. They cover the molecular mechanism behind UV-induced DNA damage and skin cancer, the ABCD mole-check method, why freckles signal past damage, and how to actually read an SPF label. Dr. Gross explains the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens, debunks the SPF layering myth, makes the case for two-step exfoliation, and breaks down LED light therapy - including why FDA clearance is the only marker that matters when buying a device. Plus: what's coming next in skincare, from epigenetic formulations to at-home devices. For all links mentioned in this episode, visit www.drwillcole.com/podcast.


Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

Sponsors:

  • Find out more at apple.com/health. This message was brought to you by Apple and AT&T. Apple Watch is not a medical device and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. 
  • Use code BEINGWELL at Monarch.com to get your first year of Monarch Core half off at just $50!
  • Wake up with clearer skin, smoother hair, and cooler sleep. Use code WILLCOLE for an extra 30% off at blissy.com/WILLCOLE.
  • Support your cells and how you age with Mitopure® Gummies from Timeline. Visit timeline.com/willcole to up to 39% off your Mitopure® Gummies. That’s timeline.com/willcole!


Produced by Dear Media.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Art of Being Well

More from this podcast

The Art of Being Well →