July 2, 2026

We’re in the final countdown to summer. Vacations are being finalized, kids’ camps are being booked, and hopefully you’re stocking up on sunscreen. At ACS Dermatology, serving Fairfax, VA and the surrounding Northern Virginia community, we want to help you protect your skin while still enjoying everything summer has to offer. Here are a few tips to help keep your skin healthy all season long from a Fairfax dermatologist. Make Sunscreen a Non-Negotiable Sunscreen should be a daily essential this summer — one step in your skincare routine you never skip. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and apply it every day, even when it’s cloudy outside. Broad-spectrum formulas protect against both UVA rays, which contribute to premature aging, and UVB rays, which cause sunburn. One application won’t carry you through a full day at the pool or beach. Reapply every two hours, and immediately after swimming or heavy sweating, to maintain protection. Even if you don’t spend much time outdoors, you’re probably getting more sun exposure than you think. It doesn’t take a beach day to do damage. Driving, walking the dog, checking the mail, or sitting near a sunny window all add up to cumulative sun damage over time. Sunscreen Alternatives: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t) There’s no true substitute for daily sunscreen. But if you burn easily, or know you won’t reapply consistently, a few additional layers of protection can help: Think of these as backup, not a replacement. They work best stacked on top of sunscreen, not instead of it. Why Sun Protection Matters More Than You’d Think Whether you have fair skin that burns quickly or a complexion that tans easily, sun protection matters for everyone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day, making it the most common cancer in the country. The American Cancer Society projects over 234,000 new melanoma cases nationwide in 2026 alone. Sun exposure isn’t just a cancer risk, either. It accelerates visible aging — fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone, sun spots — and can worsen certain skin conditions, including melasma and rosacea. That’s one more reason daily protection is worth the habit. Summer Skin Problems We Commonly Treat in Fairfax Heat, humidity, sweat, and sun exposure make summer tough on skin. During the warmer months, we see a noticeable uptick in sunburn and heat rash, acne breakouts, rosacea flare-ups, hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and poison ivy or other outdoor rashes. Summer is also a smart time to keep an eye on moles or skin lesions that seem to be changing. If you’ve noticed a mole shifting in size, shape, or color,  this is a good season to schedule a professional skin check. If something on your skin isn’t improving on its own, don’t wait it out. A dermatology visit can identify the cause early, before it becomes a bigger problem. Schedule Your Summer Skin Check with ACS Dermatology At ACS Dermatology, we believe in more than treating skin conditions — we believe in partnering with you to build healthy skin habits at every stage of life. Our team, led by award-winning dermatologists Nasir Aziz, Saurabh Singh, and Hyland Cronin, is committed to compassionate, personalized care for every patient in Fairfax and the greater Northern Virginia area. Whether you need a routine skin check, treatment for a specific concern, or cosmetic dermatology services, we’re here to help you meet your skincare goals this summer and beyond. Call or schedule your appointment online today.