Sun and Dry Skin

If you’re a sun worshipper who is always “working on your tan,” you’re also drying out your skin and increasing your risk of developing wrinkles, age spots, and skin cancer (melanoma), warns Frank Parker, M.D. “Just as the sun dries wet clothes hanging on a clothesline, it dries out the outer layer of the skin,” he says. “Over time, the damage the sun does to the skin causes?it to wrinkle and develop pigmentation spots.”

Even more sobering is the increased risk of developing skin cancer from excessive sun exposure. People who are fair-skinned are at greater risk of developing such cancers than are darker-skinned individuals. To avoid the dry skin, wrinkles, and increased cancer risk from sun exposure, Parker suggests these tips:

Wear sunscreen. Sunscreens are rated by their sun protection factor, or SPF. The higher the SPF number, the greater the sun protection.

Cover up. Wear a lightweight, long- sleeved shirt and a hat when you’re in the sun.

Avoid the sun between 10:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. This is the time of day when the sun’s burning rays are at their strongest, so try to plan outdoor activities for earlier or later in the day.

Use lotions. If you must sunbathe, apply cream-type lotions and occasionally “spritz” your skin with mineral water to keep it moist. Keep your tanning?sessions as short as possible, and moisturize afterwards.