Here Comes the Sun:
Health Story

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, June 24 and August 12, 2007
Show 413

Is the sun good or bad for you? "The healthiest color for the health of your skin is the color you were born with," says Dr. Martin Weinstock.

Overexposure to UVA and UVB rays was once just a summertime issue; however lifestyle changes have made this a year round concern. Dr. Weinstock says, "People who frequently expose themselves to tanning parlors before the age of 35, have an increased risk of melanoma."

Yet, there's also been a lot of talk lately about the positive effects of UV rays. Dr. Michael Holick, author of The UV Advantage, explains you don't really need to get a tan to get the benefits of UV—vitamin D production.

 "Your skin has a large capacity to make vitamin D. And that's why you only need a minimum amount of time in the sun for a relatively small area of your skin to satisfy your body's requirement," says Dr. Holick.

Still, the message is clear; sun protection is the key to preventing skin cancer.