Dr. David Cowan, director of dermatology at Butler Medical Providers, sits in his office. Dr. Cowan sat down with the Eagle to discuss sunscreen and how to keep skin healthy when the summer sun is shining down.

Butler County is filled with a variety of people doing interesting things. This weekly feature offers snapshots of some of them by asking them five questions. The latest installment appears below.

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Summer officially begins tomorrow, and with it comes plenty of fun in the sun — and maybe a few sunburns.

Here, Dr. David Cowan, director of dermatology at Butler Medical Providers, shares advice on how to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays:

Question: How long should a bottle of sunscreen last?Answer: You shouldn't reuse (last year's) sunscreen. You should have used it up during the summer or during the year.You should use about an ounce, a shot glass sized amount, to cover your whole body. One bottle should last you eight applications if you're applying every two or three hours. You should go through most of a bottle in a week or two.

QUESTION: How do I choose a sunscreen?ANSWER:

The best sunscreens have both UVA and UVB protection. They're usually labeled broad-spectrum waterproof. ... For daily use, I recommend an SPF of 15 and for intentional sun exposure, probably a 30 or higher.Basically, over an SPF 30 blocks 90 percent of the sun's rays when applied correctly. The difference (between SPF 30 and higher SPFs) probably isn't that substantial, it's more about the application. If you're applying less than the recommended amount, then an SPF of 100 may become like an SPF of 10. The higher amounts are helpful in case you're not applying enough.

QUESTION: How important is sun exposure in getting vitamin D?ANSWER:

A lot of Americans are vitamin D deficient. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a vitamin D supplement with calcium as a substitute for getting your vitamin D through the sun.People in Butler get plenty of sun; generally we don't recommend exposing yourself to get vitamin D. That can be achieved through diet and daily sun exposure.

QUESTION: What is your opinion on tanning?ANSWER:

We will occasionally use forms of light for medical purposes to treat people with rashes or systemic problems, but in general we do not recommend it. Avoid the tanning beds; people get enough sun on their own. ... I think people are more aware of the link between tanning and sun exposure and skin cancer, but there's still a very strong perception about the beauty of having a tan.

QUESTION: What else should people know about sun protection?ANSWER:

It's never too late to change your habits and reap the benefits. It really is beneficial to use sunscreen, no matter what point you're at in life. The earlier, the better. But even if you have a lot of sun damage, it's still beneficial to start.