"I admit that I do tan, but I'm very protective of the skin on my face when I'm anywhere in the sun," Jamie Hawk, 23, of Crown Point, said.

"I'll only use a lotion with SPF 50. But I know I have to be better about the rest of my body to protect my skin."

Chicago dermatologist Leslie Beaird is amazed by how many people today do not look their age.

And she's convinced the newfound youthful look of today's society isn't just plastic surgery or better make-up options.

She believes it's because of better education and awareness, such as the precautions Hawk and others like her take.

"People finally realize just how important it is to take care of their skin, and we see both men and women taking steps to improve the way they look and ignoring age as just a number," said Beaird, who has had her Hoffman Estates, Ill., dermatology practice for eight years.

"The three keys are to moisturize, hydrate and be sun-aware."

Beaird said the end of the summer season ranks as one of the busiest times of year for patients looking for help with sun damage.

"It's easy to be over-exposed to the sun and not realize it until it's the end of the season and you look in the mirror and you see something in the reflection that just doesn't look right," she said.

Rescuing damaged skin has become easier in recent years, Beaird said, because of the advanced technology and chemistry of today's products.

"It's really very impressive to see what's available today over the counter to help protect and revitalize skin," she said.

"A number of these products even use key elements that previously were only used for severe burn victims. Now, skin-care companies have access to these same treatment components to blend into their everyday skin-care lines."

Some of the newest and most effective products being hailed by dermatologists include:

* Simply Flawless -- (simplyflawlesso2.com) This oxygen-infused skin-care line was one of the first to use technology previously only used on burn victims, including an eye gel to avoid crows feet and "character lines."

* Skin Nutrition with Phytomins -- (www.svnaturally.com) Containing a daily UV Defense 25 SPF, this product contains ultramicronized alumina particles that act as a radiation shield, absorbing and scattering all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, including UV, visible and infrared. It's formulated with microscopic nano-sized particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide minerals that look and feel invisible on the skin, as important ingredients for revitalization.

* Olivella Daily Facial Cleansing -- (olivellasoap.com) These tissues cleanse and moisturize the face while effectively removing make-up and other impurities, leaving skin clean and refreshed without any of the drying effects that other facial wipes may cause. The tissues are made with 100 percent virgin olive oil, which naturally contains antioxidants including polyphenols and vitamins A and E, and possesses moisturizing and antiaging properties.

* CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion -- (cerave.com) Providing all-day moisturization with a single application, this product is clinically proven to increase skin hydration with a uniquely formulated design to increase the skin's ability to attract, hold and distribute moisture. It penetrates deep into the stratum corneum (the skin barrier) using patented technology to restore the balance of essential lipids, helping keep the skin barrier intact so it can protect against outside irritants. It also forms a protective layer over the skin's surface to help prevent moisture loss.

Beaird said she's noticed vast improvements in how people approach what she calls "summer sun worship."

"Growing up, I remember people covering themselves in cocoa butter or even just baby oil and sitting out in the sun for hours looking to achieve the perfect tan," she said.

"In fact, even sunglasses used to be treated as more of a fashion accessory than a practical tool to ward off rays. Today, people realize the eyes are basically just another layer of sensitive skin, and the sun can do serious damage."

But the basics of what she describes as "sensible sun approach" remain the same for everyone.

The checklist to consider includes everything from skin tone and pre-existing skin conditions to age and skin extremes like moles.

"People don't like to hear it, but there's no such thing as 'a healthy tan,' " Beaird said.

"You know how the favorite expression right now has to do with how age 50 is the new 40 and 40 is the new 30? How you look, especially your skin, and how you feel have a lot to do with each other."

Skin landscape self-exam

This is especially easy to perform while applying body lotion. You need only

perform the body check once every three months, more often if you have been

treated for some form of skin cancer. The exam will take about 10 minutes.

To perform this self-exam while applying your body lotion,

you will need a hand mirror, a full-length mirror and a hair dryer

During the examination, be aware of the following types of changes:

* A skin growth that increases in size and appears translucent, tan, brown,

black, pearly or multicolored.

* A birthmark, mole, beauty mark or any brown spot that changes color, size,

thickness, texture or is irregular in outline, is bigger than 6 mm across, or

that appeared after age 21.

* A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode or bleed.

* An open sore that does not heal within three weeks.

To begin:

* Start with your face and scalp. Pay close attention to your nose, lips, mouth

and front and back of ears (using the hand mirror). Use the blow dryer and hand

mirror to examine your scalp, section by section (ask a friend or family member

to help if possible).

* As you apply body lotion, examine your hands and arms. Start with the tips of

your fingers and work up toward your shoulders. Be sure to check under your

fingernails and between your fingers. Examine the front and back of your hands

and move up your arms. Use a full-length mirror to check the sides of your

upper arms, elbows and underarms.

* Next, examine your throat, chest and torso (women should lift breasts to view

underside).

* Finish your upper body using the hand-held and full-length mirrors. Start

with the back of your neck, then the back of your shoulders, backs of your

upper arms and continue down to your lower back.

* Finally, using both full-length and hand-held mirrors, inspect your buttocks

and the back of your legs. Sit down to inspect your toes, under your toenails,

between toes and tops and bottoms of your feet. Move up the ankles, shins,

thighs and sides of both legs. Last, but not least, examine the genital area

using the hand mirror.