Staying safe when enjoying the sun during the spring and summer

May 25, 2010 - The days of lathering on the baby oil and laying out on an aluminium blanket are over.... the sun is dangerous... and it can ruin your skin.

Mercy Hospital's Physician Assistant Meg Fox was a guest on Good Morning Maryland had some advice for viewers:

Top Three Health: Smart, sexy tips to avoid bad sun rays, shield yourself from the sun's evil rays by following these easy tips from Women's Health:

1. PROTECT FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Sun damage causes free radicals, which all edible antioxidants fight. But some work better at protecting against the sun's rays. Your best bites are reddish-orange foods that are high in lycopene -- such as tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, apricots and papaya -- and foods and beverages rich in flavonoids, such as green tea and dark chocolate. You'll need at least 10 weeks of daily ingestion to optimize the benefits.

2. SEEK SHADES
Ultrastylish oversize sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement. They also shield the paper-thin skin around your eyes from dangerous UV damage (5 to 10 percent of all skin cancers appear on the eyelids) as well as the formation of fine lines and crow's feet. More important, sun exposure can affect the eye itself (specifically the cornea, lens and retina), causing cataracts and macular degeneration over time.

3. SPORT SPF-WEAR Bikinis are de rigueur pool- and beach-side, but they provide little sun protection. If you're going to be in the water, take a cue from the world's sexiest surfer girls and rock a rash guard. The truth is, all clothing has a sun protection factor, but it's not enough to combat summer sun. The lighter the clothing color, the less it shields. A white T-shirt has an SPF of 4 to 6, while a black one has 9 or 10. But all your washables can have a UPF of 30: Just add a packet of SunGuard to the laundry wash cycle.

Women's Magazine say It's Time to Remind Teens About Sun Protection; young women are especially likely to develop skin cancer, experts say

(HealthDay News) -- With summer fast approaching, it's time to remind teens about the importance of sun protection, dermatologists say.

"Even one blistering sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer. As few as five sunburns can double your risk of skin cancer," Dr. Anjali Dahiya, a dermatologist at the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said in a news release.

Teenage girls need to be especially vigilant about sun protection. The potentially fatal skin cancer melanoma is the most common cancer in young women aged 25 to 29. Much of the sun-related skin damage in these young women occurred in their teens.

"Sun exposure plays a significant role in the development of melanoma. Although more adults are using sunscreens during outdoor activities, many are unaware of how important it is to make sure that their children are getting the necessary skin protection," Dr. Desiree Ratner, director of dermatologic surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, said in the news release.

The doctors offered the following skin protection tips for teens and "tweens":
Apply sunscreen to the entire surface of your body about 30 minutes before going outside. If you're swimming, reapply sunscreen once you're out of the water. Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and be sure it has both UVA and UVB blocking ingredients.
Limit your sun exposure. In addition to using sunscreen, use hats, sunglasses and umbrellas.
Never use tanning beds -- try self-tanning creams for a safer summer glow.
Watch for freckles, which may be a sign of sustained sun damage.

Watch the entire segment and get additional skin protection information by clicking on the video link attached.