Posted on	:	6/27/2012 9:18:21 PM
Subject	:	How much sun is too much? - Nupur Garg, MD
Details	:	Sometimes it feels like I can never get enough sun! But for all the good things that it brings, the sun also has a lot of bad things, namely radiation. Sun radiation is the same concept as nuclear radiation, except just not quite as strong. Radiation on your skin is BAD. It causes skin cancer, which KILLS. But everyone needs sun to live! In fact, the older you get, the more sun you may need. So how much is too much sun? The widely accepted scientific answer is....(drumroll).... IT DEPENDS! Sun radiation does not affect all people equally. If you are concerned about the amount of time you're spending in the sun, here are a few simple measures you can do to reduce your risk of getting skin cancer, premature aging of your skin, and other sun-related maladies. Also, don't forget to ask Dr. Garg. 1. Wear sunglasses - you'll look cool and your eyes will appreciate you. 2. Cover your self with either clothing or sunscreen. Think of sunscreen as clothing in a bottle. You can spread it over all parts that aren't clothed and be protected as if those were covered with actual clothing. 3. Use sunscreen that protects from all types of sun radiation (UVA + UVB) AND use A LOT. 4. Don't forget to protect your lips! The younger you are, the more important all this is. Good luck! -Nupur Garg, MD Reference: http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/2011/the-sunscreen-smokescreen/