San Antonio Doctor's Sun Safety Tips Could Save Your Skin

Carlo Guadagno learned about sun protection the hard way. After four skin cancer diagnoses in recent years, the 70-year-old San Antonio resident now knows that those carefree beach days of his youth came with a hidden cost.

"When I was young, I would go to the beach without sunscreen every day," Guadagno explained. The damage accumulated silently over decades, a reminder that sun exposure doesn't just affect us today but adds up over a lifetime.

Now Guadagno is sharing his story alongside Dr. Jimena Cervantes of University Health, hoping to help others avoid the same painful lessons. Their timing couldn't be better as summer approaches and people head outdoors.

Dr. Cervantes clears up one common misconception right away. For people with fair skin like Guadagno, what looks like a healthy tan is actually damage in disguise. "It's not that I'm really tanning, I'm damaging my skin," Guadagno said.

The good news? Protection doesn't have to be complicated. Dr. Cervantes recommends sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 50, though the American Academy of Dermatology sets the bar at SPF 30. The reason for going higher is simple: most people don't apply enough, so starting with SPF 50 gives you better actual coverage.

For sensitive skin or children over six months old, look for mineral-based formulas with zinc oxide in the ingredients. The key is consistent application and reapplication throughout the day.

Why This Inspires

Dr. Cervantes wants to shift how we think about sun protection. Instead of viewing it as a beach day chore, she encourages making it a daily ritual worth celebrating. "The sun doesn't take a day off," she reminds patients.

Her advice comes with personality too. She tells patients to embrace the full sun protection look: wide-brimmed hats, umbrellas, and oversized sunglasses. "They should be out there looking like divas," she said with a smile.

This message of prevention over treatment offers real hope. While Guadagno's story shows the consequences of unprotected sun exposure, it also demonstrates that changing habits at any age matters.

The simplicity of the solution makes it even more powerful: affordable sunscreen, applied daily, can prevent years of damage and potentially life-threatening cancer diagnoses down the road.