Q. I really like being outdoors in the summer. What is wrong with getting some sun?
A. I could list off all the statistics but here’s the bottom line. Sun exposure causes spots, roughness, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, large pores, dilated blood vessels and skin cancer.
You have read this many times. You have been told this by your dermatologist, your favorite magazines and your mother. Listen.
Here is what you need to do:
Avoid sun between 10-4.
Stay in the shade if possible.
Wear a long-sleeve shirt, wide brimmed hat, pants, and UV protective sunglasses.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.
Look for Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Avobenzone or Mexoryl.
Apply 30 minutes before sun exposure. One ounce covers a body.
Reapply every 2 hours, every hour if in the water or toweling off.
Use waterproof sunscreen if swimming.
Don’t keep it in your car. Sunscreen breaks down in the heat.
Make up with SPF less than 15 is not adequate.
Don’t use sunscreen as an excuse to stay out longer.

Q. Isn’t it safe to go to the tanning bed?
A. No.

Q. OK what can I do to get a little color?
A. Use a self tanner containing the sugar DHA which darkens skin by staining. As skin cells are naturally sloughed off the color fades.
There are two types of self tanners. The higher strength self tanner is applied every 3-4 days but can streak if not applied carefully. Lower strength daily use “glow” streaks less but must be applied daily.

Sunless tanning creams may be applied to face and body. Salons or spas offer total body spray application.

Q. I tan because my spider veins make my legs look like a road map. Can you help?
A. Yes.
The best treatment is sclerotherapy – injection of a solution into the vein with a tiny needle causing it to shrink. The body absorbs the vein and it disappears. Blood flow is shifted to other healthy veins nearby.

Q. What if I didn’t use sunscreen and got burned?
A. Bummer.
First degree sunburn causes redness and pain. Take cool baths, use moisturizer and over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. Aspirin or NSAID’s such as Advil may help if taken immediately.

Second degree sunburn causes tenderness, pain, swelling and blistering. If severe, or with headache, chills, upset stomach, confusion or fever, seek medical help.

Q. And I feel sick too.
A. I told you so.
Heat Cramps cause muscle pains/spasms after heavy exertion. Get in a cool place, rest, lightly stretch the muscle and drink half glass of water every 15 minutes.

Heat Exhaustion occurs after heavy exercise in the heat when body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Skin is cool moist and pale or flushed with heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature is near normal.

Get the person in a cool place, loosen clothing and apply cool wet cloths. Give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Watch for change in condition and seek medical care if worsens or doesn’t improve.

Heat Stroke (Sun Stroke) occurs when the temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. Skin is hot and red and may be either wet or dry. There is change in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid shallow breathing. Body temperature can be as high as 105 degrees.

Move the person to a cool place. Quickly cool the body with cool bath, wet cool sheets, and a fan. If the person refuses water, is vomiting or shows signs of changes in the level of consciousness do not give water. Call 911, patient should go to the Emergency Room.

Q. Now I have this new spot. How can I tell if it is OK or not?
A. You can’t.
If there are changes in the size, color, shape, or texture of a mole; development of a new mole; any crusted, bleeding, scaly, “pearly”, or red bumps, see your dermatologist immediately.
Deciding if a growth is worrisome or not is my job not yours. Your job is to be aware that you have a new growth and see your dermatologist.
And don’t put it off.