WHAT'S UP DOC? Sun protection 101 Published June 11, 2007 By Capt. (Dr.) Derrick Storey 47th Medical Group LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas -- The sun in South Texas is a constant part of summer; what kind of protection do I need? The real concern in this question is not just sunburns but instead the amount of damage your skin gets and the results, including premature aging and skin cancers. The good news is that things can be done to prevent these. Foremost, obviously, is avoiding sun exposure as much as possible. Cover up when in the sun and wear a broad-brimmed hat. Also, use a good sunscreen with at least Sun Protection Factor 15 but SPF 30 is better for both adults and children, following the directions as to use. Sunscreen also has to be applied heavily at first, allowed to soak in to the skin for 10-15 minutes and then rubbed into the skin for maximum effectiveness. If you are out for more than a few hours or you get excessively wet from sweating or swimming, you have to put on more sunscreen. Lastly, a pair of sunglasses with 100 percent ultraviolet coverage completes the ensemble. Most of our sun exposure comes from our normal activities such as walking outside to doing a few things in the yard and from sunlight coming through our cars' windshields as we are driving to our multiple errands. Artificial tanning definitely represents a problem due to the type of light and distance from the bulb to the skin. It simply cannot be done safely, despite what may be advertised. Finally, keep an eye on yourself, your skin and your family. Don't be ashamed or worried about showing your doctor spots on your skin anywhere on your body that concerns you. Include a complete skin exam yearly with your doctor and have someone keep a check on your skin at home on a monthly basis, especially if you or someone you are close to has areas of concern. Remember, letting something go on for too long may result in a worse outcome, certainly worse than feeling nervous about what it might mean!