This week Dr. Jaime Davis (Uptown Dermatology) and I were on air talking about something that we are both passionate about, sun safety. I love being outside when it’s hot and sunny. For years, I was one of those girls who spent hours laying out. I was even known to jump in a tanning bed from time to time before a big event. And in college, I went to Arizona State and was never inside. There’s nothing better than enjoying the nice weather, but it can be dangerous if you aren’t smart about it.

Several years ago, I had a small mole removed from my chest. I didn’t think much about it because the tests came back okay. About three years later, I had another one removed on my back. And just recently, Dr. Davis removed 11 more. Needless to say, it has been a huge wake up call.  I was lucky. None of them turned out to be cancerous, but not everyone gets good news. Skin cancer can be deadly.

It’s scary to think about my family’s friends who have died from skin cancer, something that is preventable. Dr. Davis has three simple pieces of advice: limit your sun exposure, avoid tanning beds and wear sunscreen. And when you wear sunscreen, make sure you are applying it every couple of hours. You should use an entire shot glass full of sunscreen for your entire body. That means that a four ounce bottle of sunscreen should only last you about four applications…not the entire summer.

Here is a list of some of Dr. Davis’ favorite sunscreens. On the show we featured Vanicream SPF 30 and 60 and Neutrogena SPF 100. Supergoop is also a good one. Dr. Davis says the spray sunscreen is effective. Just make sure you’re getting it all over. The higher the SPF, the longer it tends to last. The lower the SPF, the more you need to reapply.

If you’re looking for great clothing that has sun protection, check out www.coolibar.com. They have a number of dresses, shirts, hats and even swimsuits to choose from. They also have a location in Minneapolis that features items for both kids and adults.

For more information about Dr. Jaime Davis and her office, check out http://www.uptowndermatology.com/.