As depression-era humorist Will Rogers once said, "I never expected to see the day when the girls would get sunburned in the places they do now."

Since Rogers’ day, popular culture has dictated even skimpier outfits for the beach and pool, for both men and women. And more sun exposure means an increased risk of skin cancer.

With more than 1 million skin cancers diagnosed annually, a majority of these cancers could be prevented by protecting your skin from sun exposure. Below is a list of commonly asked questions about the best way to protect your skin.

1. Is it OK to tan if you are wearing sunscreen?
   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).
   
2. How often should I wear sunscreen?
   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.
   
3. Do African-Americans or other darker-skinned minorities need to worry about sunscreen?
   Yes. Darker skin still tans, burns and is just as susceptible to skin cancer.
   
4. Don’t I need sun exposure to ensure I get adequate levels of Vitamin D?
   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.
   
5. Do I still need to wear sunscreen during the winter or on cloudy days?
   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 the weather is not hot.
   
6. Is it safe to tan in a tanning bed?
   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.
   
7. Doesn’t a tan help you look healthier?
   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. It’s another compelling reason to protect your skin from the damaging effects of sunlight.

This summer, protect your skin from sun exposure through regular use of sunscreen, and make it a habit that you continue throughout the year.

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, faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia, and employees of 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.