Beyond Sunscreen

With all the warnings about how sun can damage our skin, we might be forgiven for thinking that it's all about sunscreen. Of course, that's important, but there are many other issues that pop up during the summer months that also need our attention. Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C., discusses everything from rashes to wrinkles—and how to combat them.

A mother of two children, the 42-year-old Tanzi was first diagnosed at age 37 with skin cancer and received her second diagnosis this year. While she has been protective of her skin since becoming a dermatologist, she concedes, "I did a lot of damage when I was young."

Tanzi recommends applying sunscreen frequently, but she also suggests wearing sun-protective clothing, such as jackets that are meant to be worn in the water. "It's very light," she says of the outerwear, "it's attractive and covers very well."

With the sun beating down on exposed areas, it's no wonder that moms often notice dry skin in the summer months. Add to that the moisture-sapping effects of salt water and chlorinated pool water. After going for a dip, says Tanzi, "Rinse your skin in a bath or shower. Apply moisturizer within 5 minutes after a bath to lock water into your skin."

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You thought you only had to worry about hangovers when it came to those summer cocktails. Not so. In addition to dermatitis-causing culprits such as poison oak or poison ivy, there's also margarita dermatitis. Yes, the one with the lime and salted rim. "It's caused by lemon and lime juice on the skin, and if you don't rinse it off and then go out in the sun, it can cause a rash," Tanzi says. Her prescription? Rinse with soap and water right away. Once you get the rash, she says, pick up 1 percent hydrocortisone from the pharmacy. If it's a bad one, visit the dermatologist for prescription cortisone.

"It's not unusual for acne to flare up on the back and chest, in addition to the face" during the summer, says Tanzi. "The best thing to do for that is to get a body scrub and face scrub with 2 percent salicylic acid."

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Whether it's wilderness camping or a simple backyard break, spending time in nature can invite bug bites for both parents and kids. When you find yourself bitten by a buzzing creature, Tanzi recommends putting a bit of cortisone on the red spot right away. If there's itching, she adds, put it on regularly.

"Summer sun is hard on the skin," says Tanzi. "People come to my office in the fall and say they've aged overnight." The dermatologist stresses that we do see an advancing of age due to the sun. "Skin looks weathered," she says. "The color looks pretty, but it's not pretty what it does to your skin."

What to do? Of course wear sunscreen, but go one step further. "A lot of sun will go through sunscreen," Tanzi says, "so wear a hat whenever you can to keep direct sunlight off your face."

A common misconception, Tanzi says, is that many people mistake sun spots for age spots. "People chalk up a lot due to aging, but it's really due to the sun," she says. To help prevent dark spots on the skin, she recommends reapplying sunscreen every three to four hours. And not just while hanging at the pool or beach. Sunscreen, she says, is important anytime you're outside. And don't forget when you're driving, too. Your hands see a lot of sun while gripping the steering wheel.

When the weather gets humid, oily skin can be especially common "because it turns on the oil glands, and they go crazy," says Tanzi. She recommends using a cleanser twice a day that contains glycolic acid. For people who have really oily skin, she recommends using products that stay on the skin, such as an oil-absorbing serum, or other mattefying products throughout the day.