By Dr. Jack Lesher, Chief of Dermatology

Summer is a time when people head to the beaches to bask in the sun. And despite the best intentions, it is sometimes hard to shake the notion that a bronzed body is a healthy body. The reality is, too much sun can lead to skin cancer and premature aging.

Want the real story behind some of these closely held notions? The following are the top 6 myths about sun exposure, tanning and aging:

Myth No. 1: It is OK to tan if you are wearing sunscreen.
Reality: Tanning indicates a change in your skin, so no tan is healthy or safe. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 15 (30 or higher if you have a history of skin cancer). Remember you need to apply sunscreen about an hour before going out into the sun. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours (and more often if you are swimming).

Myth No. 2: You only need to wear sunscreen if you are going to the beach or planning to be outside for several hours.
Reality: It is not always easy to do, but it is actually best to wear sunscreen every day. You should routinely use sunscreen if you will be exposed to the sun for more than 10 to 15 minutes. Driving, sitting in your office in front of a window and walking outside all expose you to the sun. So try incorporating sunscreen application into your daily schedule. Products such as moisturizer/sunscreen combos and spritzable sunscreens make daily application a little more user-friendly.

Myth No. 3: You need to be out in the sun to make sure your body produces enough Vitamin D.
Reality: You only need about 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure two to three times a week on your face and hands for your body to produce a sufficient supply of Vitamin D. In addition, milk and other Vitamin D-rich foods as well as multivitamins are excellent sources of Vitamin D.

Myth No. 4: You do not need to worry about sun exposure in the wintertime or during cloudy days.
Reality: The sun may not feel hot during the winter or on cloudy days, but the UVA and UVB rays are still there and are still being absorbed by your skin. So remember your sunscreen and your protective gear even when it is not hot out.

Myth No. 5: Tanning beds are safer than tanning under the sun.
Reality: Tanning beds use ultraviolet light, similar to the UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun. In fact, the effects of UV exposure are intensified in a tanning bed. Spending an hour in a tanning bed is easily equivalent to spending several hours outside in the sun.

Myth No. 6: Exposure to sunlight helps your skin look young and healthy.
Reality: Too much sun actually ages you prematurely. Compare skin on your face and hands with skin on a part of your body that is not regularly exposed to the sun and see the difference. While this is not a recommendation for you to hide from the world, it does offer a compelling reason (if the thought of skin cancer is not enough) to protect your skin from the damaging effects of sunlight.

MCG Health System is composed of three separate organizations -- MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians and faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the Physicians Practice Group, not employees of MCG Health Inc. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the Physicians Practice Group and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.