# @science on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DNG4SBjTaDD
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/33641035-science-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/5857a94552.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-08-08T20:30:15.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Science 🧬 (@science) — https://gondola.cc/science

## Caption

🧔‍♂️ A study by professors at The University of Queensland found that beards can protect you from 90 to 95 percent of the sun's harmful UV rays with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of up to 21.⁠
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The study's lead author, Professor Parisi, explained: "While beards will never be as sun-safe as sunscreen, they certainly are a factor in blocking UV rays."⁠
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And in a new interview with The Independent, U.K. dermatologist Dr. Adam Freidman backs up those findings, explaining that beards and moustaches can help protect against skin cancer and changes in facial appearance.⁠
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"Sun exposure is the primary cause of photo-ageing and skin damage, so it makes sense that if your face is covered by a heavy beard, it may well protect your skin from the signs of ageing.⁠
"This means fewer wrinkles and a reduction in age spots commonly found on the face," he said.⁠
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It makes sense that if your face is covered by a heavy beard, it may well protect your skin from the signs of ageing.⁠
But if you think that five o'clock shadow will protect you from the sun, think again. The thicker the beard, the more protective qualities it has.⁠
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🧬 This also applies to those who have lots of hair on their head.⁠
"People with a thick head of hair do not tend to get skin cancer or photo ageing on the scalp until they lose their hair. So we can see that there is a UV protective effect," explained Freidman.⁠
A previous study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection found that clean-shaven men were more likely to carry infection-causing bacteria resistant to antibiotics on their cheeks when compared to bearded men.⁠
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Clean-shaven men were more likely to carry infection-causing bacteria resistant to antibiotics on their cheeks when compared to bearded men.⁠
Clean-shaven men were also more likely to have colonies of a bacterium that causes skin and respiratory infections, and food poisoning.⁠
Researchers hypothesized that this may be due to micro-abrasions caused by shaving their skin, "which may support bacterial colonization and proliferation."⁠
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#beard #uv #uvrays #dermatology #biology #science

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## Tags

uvrays, science, dermatology, uv, biology, beard

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