The Dark Side of the Sun

It's said that you can't tell anything about a package from its wrapping. But that's not the case with us humans. Our cover--our skin--tells us a lot about what's inside. Age brings changes to the skin much as it does to the rest of our bodies. Many of the problems associated with older skin are secondary to poor personal care. We can't do anything about the loss of elastic tissue as we age, but we are responsible for the heaps of trouble that excess sun exposure can cause our skin. Most skin cancers are preventable by the simple strategy of staying out of the sun and using proper protection when in the sun.

Walter M. Bortz II, M.D.

Be sure to visit Dr. Bortz On Call for other words of medical wisdom and advice.

More on skin cancer

The ABCs of UVA, UVB, and SPF: finding the right sunscreen.

The Dark Side of the Sun: back to the main story.