Follow the Power of the Sun this summertime. The powerful sun can provide �sunshine vitamin� giving us Vitamin D to improve our health. The powerful sun can also deliver harmful ultraviolet radiation in the form of UV rays � UVA (long wave), UVB (short wave) and UVC, which does not impact the earth. UVA is considered the sunshine that �ages� us because the long waves penetrate the epidermis and are dispersed into the dermis, shrinks the collagen and elastin and causes the epidermis (top layer) to sag � wrinkle. The UVB is considered the sunshine that �burns� us, contributing to skin cancer.

Our goal should be to enjoy enough of the sunshine to obtain the benefits of Vitamin D in promoting healthy bones, mostly by the absorption of calcium. Vitamin D has also been credited in improving the immune system.  So, free is a healthy dose of sunshine.

Cheap is the healthy habit of buying and applying sunscreen, which will protect our skin from accelerated aging and skin cancer. The FDA is expected to release new sunscreen rules in October 2010 that would include a 1 to 4 star-rating system with one star being the lowest and 4 stars the highest.

A very extensive description of available sunscreens is found at www.skincancer.org  with comments as to the variations amongst products. However, the Environmental Working Group has a new report � 2010 Sunscreen Guide - which gives low marks to many popular sunscreen products at www.ewg.org  My suggestion is to visit these websites and find a product that you will use!