A current news story reports that 85 percent of girls under the age of 25 believe they look better with a tan. This is a 20 percent increase over statistics released just five years ago. When interviewed, the girls admitted they knew their tanning habit predisposed them to skin cancer, but like most people who enjoy the feel of the sun on their skin they thought the odds were in their favor.

Despite the image of a tan being "healthy," excessive exposure to the sun is responsible for much of the skin damage associated with aging, wrinkles, age spots, etc. Additionally, almost half of all Americans who reach age 65 will develop at least one skin cancer before they die.

Unprotected skin can be harmed by UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Although few people would deny there are dangers in excessive UV exposure to the sun, only about a third of us take measures to protect our skin from voluntary exposure to it's damaging rays.

Products with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 will do the job, and a higher rated product is no better. But here's the rub. Sunscreen users often apply only 50% of the recommended amount, so they receive only 50% of the SPF protection the product offers. In other words, if you apply just a small amount of a SPF 30 sunscreen, you'll only get the protection of a SPF 15.

To get the best shield from the sun, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends you use at least an ounce each time you apply sunscreen. When it comes to cost, they add that expensive products aren't necessarily better.

If you are taking a prescription drug there's a good chance that your skin is photosensitive - the word used to describe the phenomena of a heightened risk for sunburn. The list of drugs that increase this sunburn risk is quite lengthy. I've posted the list in Smart Pharmacist.

Enjoy summer. But before you spend a lot of time in the sun, buy, use, and don't skimp on SPF products that can help keep your skin healthy. Since skin is the largest organ of our body, your life is at stake.