Newsroom

Dr. Robyn Gmyrek, dermatologist and director of the Skin and Laser Center at NewYork–Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, says there is no such thing as a safe tan, any tan is a result of DNA damage.

Dr. Gmyrek recommends the following guidelines to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun:

• Use sunscreen labeled SPF30 or higher and that is labeled Broad Spectrum
• Apply sunscreen generously to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside and after swimming or sweating
• SPF–rated clothing offers protection from the sun and the freedom of not having to reapply sunscreen in the covered areas
• Reapply sunscreen every two to four hours
• Just one blistering sunburn can increase your risk of skin cancer
• Use sunscreen labeled "broad spectrum" that has both UVA– and UVB–absorbing/blocking ingredients
• Seek the shade, wear hats and sunglasses, and use umbrellas when appropriate
• Use tanning creams instead of tanning beds to get a safe summer glow
• Most sun damage occurs in the teenage years
• Developing freckles may be a sign of sustained sun damage. They generally develop in sun–exposed areas such as the face, chest and arms

NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital

NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital, based in New York City, is the nation’s largest not–for–profit, non–sectarian hospital, with 2,353 beds. The Hospital has nearly 2 million inpatient and outpatient visits in a year, including more than 220,000 visits to its emergency departments — more than any other area hospital. NewYork–Presbyterian provides state–of–the–art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine at five major centers: NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, NewYork–Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, NewYork–Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital and NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division. One of the most comprehensive health care institutions in the world, the Hospital is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. NewYork–Presbyterian is the #1 hospital in the New York metropolitan area and is consistently ranked among the best academic medical institutions in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report. The Hospital has academic affiliations with two of the nation’s leading medical colleges: Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.