Producing increased pigment (or melanin) is the body’s way of protecting itself. There are more than a million cases of skin cancer reported annually in the U.S. — the highest rate in the world. According to The American Academy of Dermatology, melanoma kills one American every 68 minutes.

Sunburn is caused by UVB rays, but UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and may pose an even greater threat for skin damage, premature aging and skin cancer. Tanning beds pose an even greater risk of damage: In 2004, the Department of Health and Human Services declared that the ultraviolet rays from tanning beds — which are three times more dangerous than natural sunlight because they penetrate more deeply — were carcinogenic. I think of them as warm coffins.

When looking for sun protection, there are many factors to consider. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) determines how long you can remain in the sun without burning as opposed to unprotected skin. The higher the SPF, the longer you can safely stay outdoors. Experts admit that long-term, frequent exposure to UVA and UVB rays will result in some skin damage — even when a sunscreen is properly used. But for the time being, it’s the best defense available.

It is essential to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Make certain that it is a broad spectrum sunscreen — one that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. There are a myriad of active ingredients, but most doctors think the most effective are avobenzone (Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. My favorites include SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF 30 and SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45 (both available in Charlotte at The Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Center on Randolph Rd. as well as Graper Cosmetic Surgery, also on Randolph). My other favorite is Neutrogena UVA/UVB Sunblock Lotion SPF 45 (available at drugstores nationwide).

The other factors that dermatologists stress are that you must generously apply sunscreen about 30 minutes prior to sun exposure. Most people use one-eighth to one-fourth the recommended amount; therefore, their SPF 30 is equivalent to about an SPF 2.5. A minimum of one ounce (the size of a golf ball) should be applied every one and a half to two and a half hours during periods of sun exposure. The more active you are in the sun — swimming, volleyball or perspiring — the more frequently you should apply. It takes about a fou-r to six-ounce bottle of sunscreen to protect the skin during six hours of sun exposure.

For greater protection against the ravages of UVA and UVB exposure, there are additional precautions that can be taken. When you plan on being outdoors for long periods, wear a three-inch brimmed-hat in a tightly woven fabric to shield the skin. Wear sunglasses that are UV resistant, and to prevent crow’s feet, make sure the sides of the glasses are wide to prevent the rays from attacking this vulnerable area.

It is now popular consensus among dermatologists that using an antioxidant serum that contains vitamins C and E, Co-Q 10, alpha-lipoic acid, green or white tea, pomegranate or idebenone beneath your sunscreen can fight off the free radicals that UV exposure generates. My favorites are SkinCeuticals C+E Serum (available at the aforementioned doctors’ offices) and Cellex-C (available at Sephora).

I use antioxidant serums and sunscreens year-round. We are exposed to the sun’s rays 365 days a year. We are exposed to UV rays when driving, walking to the office and from the windows in our workplaces. Unless you live in a cave, you are exposed to the sun. And don’t think that you’re protected on a cloudy day: 80 percent of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds.

The next time you pack for Key West or P-Town take more than a skimpy suit. Don’t just think about the skin you have now but the skin you will have in 10 years. The glow of a tan is transient, but the cancer, wrinkling, age spots and sagging can last a lifetime.

Personally, I love my skin to have some color, but if it isn’t sprayed on or direct from a self-tanning product, the risks aren’t worth the glow. I remember how attractive my aunt was before she destroyed her skin as a young woman basking in the summer sun and I remember how she suffered during her treatments for skin cancer.

Note: This is the first of a series of articles on skin care.