Answer: There are 1.3 million new skin cancer diagnoses each year in the United States. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for everyone to take the dangerous effects of sun exposure seriously. In my office every day, I see the result of not doing so.

So first of all, everybody needs good UVA/UVB sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15. Apply it to your face and other exposed skin every day even when you are not going to sit in the sun. The majority of our sun exposure comes when we’re just out and about performing our daily errands.

There are other important things we can do to boost our skin’s natural ability to combat damage from the sun and the environment. Proper hydration is one of them. You should hydrate your skin from the inside and the outside. For internal skin health drink lots of fluids, at least 48 ounces of water a day, Eat a healthy (SuperFoodsRx) diet. If you know you’ll be spending extra time in the sun, I believe that taking a supplement containing potent anti-oxidants will help minimize the damage. Using a moisturizer, in addition to a sunscreen, will hydrate the skin from the outside and boost your skin’s ability to resist damage.

Don’t forget a wide brim hat, sunglasses and if you can avoid the powerful mid-day sun.

Also, for those of you that like to visit tanning salons I recommend you don’t. Recent data suggest a strong link between use of sun beds and higher rates of skin cancer.

If you really like that bronzed tan look, try one of the tan-in-a-bottle products but make sure to apply your sunscreen over your beautiful fake tan.

Enjoy your summer!