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Meg Fox, P.A., Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Mercy

Mercy's Meg Fox, P.A., Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Discusses Ways To Safeguard Your Skin From The Summer Sun's Rays On WMAR-TV2's Morning Show

The days of lathering on the baby oil and laying out on an aluminum blanket are over.... the sun is dangerous... and it can ruin your skin.

Mercy Medical Center Physician Assistant Meg Fox of the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery center, a recent guest on WMAR-TV2's Good Morning Maryland,had some advice for viewers:

Top Three Health: Smart, sexy tips to avoid bad sun rays, shield yourself from the sun's evil rays by following these easy tips from Women's Health:

1. PROTECT FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Sun damage causes free radicals, which all edible antioxidants fight. But some work better at protecting against the sun's rays. Your best bites are reddish-orange foods that are high in lycopene -- such as tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, apricots and papaya -- and foods and beverages rich in flavonoids, such as green tea and dark chocolate. You'll need at least 10 weeks of daily ingestion to optimize the benefits.

2. SEEK SHADES
Ultrastylish oversize sunglasses are more than just a fashion statement. They also shield the paper-thin skin around your eyes from dangerous UV damage (5 to 10 percent of all skin cancers appear on the eyelids) as well as the formation of fine lines and crow's feet. More important, sun exposure can affect the eye itself (specifically the cornea, lens and retina), causing cataracts and macular degeneration over time.

3. SPORT SPF-WEAR
Bikinis are de rigueur pool- and beach-side, but they provide little sun protection. If you're going to be in the water, take a cue from the world's sexiest surfer girls and rock a rash guard. The truth is, all clothing has a sun protection factor, but it's not enough to combat summer sun. The lighter the clothing color, the less it shields. A white T-shirt has an SPF of 4 to 6, while a black one has 9 or 10. But all your washables can have a UPF of 30: Just add a packet of SunGuard to the laundry wash cycle.

To view Ms. Fox's interview online, visit this link: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/health/staying-safe-when-enjoying-the-sun-during-the-spring-and-summer