Help Your Abbottstown, PA Family Avoid Skin Cancer

Xtreme Grandparents Give Doctor Recommended Tips for Staying Safe in the Summer Sun.

by Rubin Carson and Marilynn Record

"What's the difference between UVB and UVA?" "Don't worry about it. Both can give you skin cancer and damage eye retinas."

It's beach time, and Marilynn and I are in the Encino consulting room of Dr. Michael Lin, our family dermatologist. Call us yentas, or doting control freaks, but we are trying to shield 4-year-old granddaughter, Tamara, from skin cancer. We knew full well that UVB and UVA were two types of ultra-violet ray - one burns and the other ages.

Enough of us, here's the drill Dr. Lin laid out for us.

SUNSCREEN: Dr. Lin recommends SPF 30 strength during puberty due to capability of fighting acne. He wouldn't recommend a brand, but sunscreen must contain zinc oxide and titanium oxide (pharmacist in medical building said Tri-Screen or Solbar fit the bill).

SUNGLASSES: Deep-six fashion statements. Lens should be in neutral gray colors and large enough to protect eyes and eyelids. CAUTION: Really dark glasses force pupils to become wider and let in more UV radiation.

OUTDOORS: Dr. Lin tries to keep his own children indoors between 10 am and 4 pm when sun radiation is most powerful. If they balk, make them wear polycarbonate wraparound sport goggles that give maximum protection.

REAR CAR WINDOW REFRACTION: Sunlight blazing in through car windows throws off dangerous UVB because of glass refraction. Run, do not walk, to auto supply store and purchase easy-to-install rear window shades. They work just as well as they did in high school for drive-in movies.

BOATING & SWIMMING: Boating buffs have to use extra sunscreen because water reflects UV radiation big time. Same for swimming. Kids should shmear sunscreen and put on sunglasses the minute you yank them from the water.

MOMENT OF TRUTH: My final question: How does a doting grandparent get a 4-year-old to do all of the above? Dr. Lin's answer: You have to be an example and do it yourself.

CONCLUSION: No good deed a grandparent does goes unpunished. DR. MICHAEL LIN - 5363 Balboa Blvd., Suite 333, Encino - (818) 906-6900