SUNSCREEN: A LITTLE DAB WON’T DO YOU Summer vacation season is about to shift into high gear, with more people spending time outdoors, whether it’s at the beach or a backyard barbeque. EVERYBODY - and we mean everybody - needs sunscreen. If you go out in the sun without sunscreen, you’re putting yourself at risk for a skin cancer. There is no such thing as a healthy tan. There are some benefits to exposure to sunlight. Sunlight helps the cells in skin to make vitamin D. But too much sun can cause damage, and with each tan or sunburn, you are adding another layer of damage. Wrinkles, “age” spots and skin cancer can occur. Records show that over five million Americans are treated for skin cancer each year, and melanoma kills nearly 9,000 people annually. Using a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 30 protects against ultraviolet A and B sun rays. Reapply sunscreen every two hours for maximum protection, more often if you are swimming or sweating heavily. Also suggested is wearing a shirt, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat, especially during the hours when the sun is strongest. If you do get sunburned, apply aloe or over-the-counter creams and take medication for pain if needed. If you have severe sunburn and develop fever, chills or muscle aches, contact a physician immediately.