Silk Pillowcases
In terms of skincare, there was a study that looked at silk-like pillowcases for acne. This was not silk, however. Read more... Topics...
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Erum Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD
Board Certified Dermatologist | CEO | Functional Textile Expert | Bioethicist | Educator | Author | Mom
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Dr. Erum Ilyas
Nov 3, 20234 min read
What's in your clothing | Phthalates
Clothing can serve as a means for exposure through phthalates directly or indirectly. Phthalates may be used in clothing, especially...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Oct 31, 20235 min read
What's in your clothing | Antimicrobial textiles
Antimicrobial textiles are textiles that are manufactured with nanoparticles, natural antimicrobial agents, and/or have actual...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Oct 26, 20233 min read
What's in your clothing | Metals
We tend to think of textiles as made up of fibers we are familiar with such as cotton, silk, wool, polyester, and nylon, but did you...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Oct 21, 20232 min read
Flame Retardants & Pajamas
There is a long history behind flame retardants and pajamas. In 1953, the Flammable Fabrics Act (FFA) was passed to regulate highly...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Oct 2, 20235 min read
What’s in your clothing | Textile Dyes
Most textiles will have some sort of textile dye to impart a color to the garment and yes, this may trigger some skin issues that it's...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Sep 12, 20235 min read
Hats | Best Sun Hats for UV Protection
To get sun protection from a hat, it has to cover your head and provide shade for the face and scalp. Read more... Topics Do all hats...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Aug 21, 20235 min read
Towels & Skincare | How to choose a towel with skin in mind
The ideal bath towels for skincare quickly absorb moisture, are soft against the skin while still retaining a texture to provide a...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jul 22, 20231 min read
MEDICAL PUBLICATION | The Impact of Routine Laundering on Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) Values
Read more about the latest research in sun-protective textiles from Dr. Erum Ilyas and her team...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jul 7, 20236 min read
Mosquito Repellents | A must-have skincare essential for summer
Mosquito repellents work by making us less attractive to mosquitoes. They work by repelling insects, not killing them. There are a...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jul 3, 20233 min read
Sunscreen That Won't Stain Clothes
Sunscreens can either stain your clothes or leave a residue behind depending on the type chosen. In general, it can be easier to lift a...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 21, 20234 min read
Bamboo Towels
Towels that claim to be bamboo towels are most often a combination of bamboo and cotton. Regular towels are most often made of cotton alone
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 12, 20232 min read
Hemp for fabric?
Hemp has been increasingly used in the textile industry with limited widespread use likely linked to other uses for hemp outside of...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 10, 20238 min read
Pillowcases and Skincare | Are silk pillowcases worth the hype?
In terms of skincare, there was a study that looked at silk-like pillowcases for acne. This was not silk, however. The study was based on a
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 10, 20234 min read
Silk Pajamas | Are they really worth it?
Excess friction between skin and textiles contributes to skin irritation. Fabrics abrade the surface of the epidermis and contribute to...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 10, 20232 min read
Not loving that new clothes smell? Toxic chemicals and clothing
You may have noticed that when you order new clothes online, there can be a distinct toxic or “chemical-like” smell emanating from the...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 9, 20235 min read
How to choose sun protective clothing
The goal of sun-protective clothing is to understand the amount of protection your skin has from UV exposure underneath your clothing. ...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 4, 20234 min read
Baby Sun Protection | Sunscreen, hats, clothing
It is important to take measures to protect babies, regardless of skin tone, from sunburn. The pigment in the skin does not offer full...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
Jun 2, 20235 min read
Best Bedsheets based on Fabric for Skincare
Remember that most of your skin comes into contact with fabric at some point during the day or night- whether it be your clothes or bed...
Dr. Erum Ilyas
May 31, 20235 min read
Back Acne
Body or back acne (bacne) can be triggered by various causes- not all of which are true acne. Not every pimple is acne, especially when it c
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