To Your Good Health

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My wife is a phys-ed teacher who spends a great deal of time in the heat, wind and sun. Please provide options for keeping the skin, especially that of the face, looking youthful and smooth. -- M.H.

ANSWER: The sun is the greatest destroyer of youthful skin and one of the greatest contributors to skin cancer. Limiting the exposure of the skin to its ultraviolet rays keeps it wrinkle-free and lessens the chances for cancer.

Sunscreens are most important. Your wife and you should apply a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more, 15 to 30 minutes before going outside, and you both should reapply it frequently.

Most sunscreens protect against ultraviolet B rays, and that is good. However, ultraviolet A rays are also involved in skin wrinkling. Get a sunscreen that contains protection for both. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide are two ingredients that provide such protection. Formerly, they came in white ointments that made users look like they were circus clowns. Now they come in fine particles that don't draw any attention.

Limiting sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun rays are their strongest, limits the amount of skin damage.

Wearing a wide-brimmed hat affords protection to the face.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475.

(c) 2007 North America Synd., Inc.