After years of tanning at the beach, this woman needs her dermatologist more than she needs her umbrella.

Summer is fully upon us now.  The kids are out of school and everyone has started summer programs or is about to embark on vacation.  Whether it be to the beach, the mountains or just recreation about town, it’s doubly important to remember protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

Not very many years ago, having a tan was thought to be healthy and a sign of living a leisurely life. A trip to Hawaii or California meant one had to bake in the sun on vacation, only to return sporting that “golden glow”.  While times have changed, and most of us use daily sunscreen, wear hats and try to avoid unnecessary exposure, we still come across those who refuse to protect themselves from harmful UV rays.

If you travel to Florida, Palm Springs or a warm sunny place, make a point of observing the skin of the residents who have lived there many years.  If their wrinkly, deeply-etched, spotted skin isn’t enough to send you running for a cover-up and some sunscreen, then there’s no hope.  The photo in this post is one from the 90’s, of a woman I saw on the beach in Hawaii when we were attending a dermatology conference.  The sobering part is that she obviously cared more about her tan, than her skin cancer.  

Here are the facts:

  • Sunlight is ultraviolet radiation and causes DNA changes in the skin.
  • These changes cause wrinkles, ugly brown spots, dry skin and worse, cancer.
  • Over-exposure to the sun weakens your immune system

Visualize your leather purse, wallet or shoes and consider this:  The crinkly, crackled rough texture is from exposing the animal skins to the sun for an extended period of time.  Additionally, redness from sunburn is actually injury and inflammation. The resulting tan is the body’s response to protect itself and the direct result of DNA photodamage.  Over time and repeated exposure, sun-damaged human skin will look the same as the leather purse.

TIP:  Breakout your sunscreen and use it.  If you have a hat and sun protective clothing, wear it.  Teach your children about sun precautions and good sunscreen habits while they are small.  Love your skin and keep it healthy, as you’re sure to have it a for a very long time.

This article is the first in a series about summer skincare.  I hope you’ve enjoyed it and and found it interesting.  I welcome your comments and questions.