Laurence Kesterson / Philadelphia Inquirer Stephanie Lilick, 18, stands in a tanning booth at Hollywood Tans in King of Prussia, Pa.

Special to the Times Experts suggest that if you plan to spend time outdoors, then use items such as umbrellas, sunglasses and hats to help shut out some of the sun's rays.

Bronze battle Poll In response to the buzz about teens and tanning, Seventeen Magazine polled teen-agers online to determine if their mission is to attain the perfect tan. The poll received about 2,700 responses to gauge this summer's trends. Here are the results. 20 percent of teens said they go to tanning salons regularly, at least once a month. 20 percent of teens go to tanning salons a few times a year for special occasions. 30 percent of teens have not gone to tanning salons but are tempted to. 30 percent of teens can't imagine anything as gross as going to a tanning salon. 70 percent of teens, while tempted to tan, are concerned about the long-term damage the sun's rays can have on their skin. Nearly half of the teens polled, when given three celebrity choices, prefer the "healthy glow" of Sarah Michelle Gellar to the sun-drenched Britney Spears or the never-in-the-sun look of Julia Stiles. Facts Although anyone can get skin cancer, people with certain risk factors are particularly at risk. Some factors are: Lighter natural skin color. Family history of skin cancer. Personal history of skin cancer. Constant exposure to the sun through work and play. A history of sunburns early in life. Skin that burns, freckles, gets red easily or becomes painful in the sun. Blue or green eyes. Blond or red hair. Certain types and a large number of moles. Sun protection Sun exposure causes premature signs of aging, such as wrinkles and brown spots, and it's the primary link to skin cancer, the No. 1 cancer in women ages 25 to 29, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Here are the latest, most effective ways to save your skin, your looks, maybe even your life: Go for higher SPFs Skin-care companies are offering the highest SPFs yet. While 30 has become the standard for adequate coverage, higher numbers make reapplications (usually every two to three hours) less necessary -- perfect for outdoor sports and boating. Use a sunblock that contains both physical and chemical sun-blocking ingredients for the broadest-spectrum protection (both UVA and UVB coverage), suggests Dr. Steven Grekin, a dermatologist in Wyandotte, Mich. Get wise about windows Most windows -- in your car, office, home or gym -- block only UVB rays, which cause your skin to redden and burn. But you're still being exposed to UVA, also called aging rays, which are implicated in the development of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, studies show that American drivers have greater sun damage on the left side of their bodies than on the right. So consider coating your windows with a UVA and UVB protective film, suggests Dr. Leslie Baumann, director of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami. Use SPF detergent Use a laundry treatment containing an ultraviolet protectant; can quadruple the protection of your clothes. "An untreated cotton T-shirt, for example, provides an SPF of only five. You might as well be naked," says Dr. Grekin. "But after washing it with a sun-protecting clothing detergent, it can offer an SPF of up to 30." The additive alters fibers, making it harder for UV rays to penetrate. The treated clothing protects your skin even when fabric is wet, and the coverage lasts for up to 20 washings. Try Rit Sun Guard Laundry Treatment UV Protectant, $20, which knocks out 96 percent of the sun's harmful rays. Beat the burn If you accidentally overdo it, coat burned skin with olive oil. In a recent study at the Kobe University School of Medicine in Japan, researchers found that when extra-virgin olive oil was applied to mice after they had been exposed to ultraviolet rays, the treated mice had fewer threatening tumors and had less skin-cell damage than the untreated mice. Stop smoking If you haven't heard enough reasons to put out that butt once and for all, here's another: A study from the Netherlands shows not only that cigarette smoking causes premature wrinkling and signs of aging, but also that smokers have a 50 percent higher risk than nonsmokers of developing squamous cell cancer, a form of skin cancer that can be deadly. For information on how to kick the habit and save your skin, log on to the American Cancer Society Web site (www.cancer.org), or call (800) 227-2345 for helpful tips. Cover up Here are suggestions on protecting yourself from ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays. Loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. Keep in mind, however, that a typical T-shirt actually has an SPF rating substantially lower than the recommended SPF 15, so double-up on protection by using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 (and UVA and UVB protection) and staying in the shade when you can. Choose a hat that provides shade for all of your head and neck. For the most protection, wear a hat with a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears and the back of your neck. If you wear a baseball cap, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck by wearing clothing that covers those areas, using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 or by staying in the shade. Most sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, block UVA and UVB rays. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side. The sun's UV rays are strongest and do the most damage during midday, so it's best to avoid direct exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can reduce your risk of skin damage and skin cancer by seeking shade under an umbrella, tree or other shelter before you need relief from the sun. Remember that the best protection from UV rays is a combination of the above and sunscreen with at least SPF 15. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site.

As Miss Sun City USA, Janelle Ayala must be made up to perfection.

Her hair must shine, her teeth have to be pearly white, and her skin tone must have a perfect golden glow.

To be a strong competitor, Ayala must be one step ahead of the competition in every aspect, including her skin.

"When I was in the pageant (Miss El Paso USA) I tried to tan two to three times a week," the 20-year-old said. "When I'm not in pageant mode, I use the self-tanning lotions and sprays."

Aware of the harms that tanning booths may bring, Ayala switched to self-tanners, but she acknowledges that when emergencies arise, tanning beds are more convenient.

Tanning "gives a really pretty glow," she said. "It's like putting makeup over the entire body."

Despite warnings about skin cancer and premature aging of the skin, many teen-agers and young women are still bronzing.

According to a survey by the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 84 percent of people younger than 25 said they looked better with a tan, up from 61 percent in 1996.

The poll was done at the beginning of this year's tanning season.

Because a lot more young people are tanning, rates of skin cancer are increasing.

For women 15 to 29, the rate of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, has increased more than 60 percent since the mid-1970s, according to the American Cancer Society.

Melanoma is the most common cancer among people 25 to 29.

Experts say the constantly shifting fashions among celebrities such as Britney Spears and Jennifer Aniston, who have year-round tans, is one reason many young people are bronzing like crazy.

"They equate gorgeous tans with being gorgeous and sexy," said Molly Nover, beauty director of CosmoGIRL! in a recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Britney looks so skinny and has a great body and great tan. They want that same effect for themselves."

Meredith Asplundh, beauty director of ELLEgirl magazine, added: "I think (celebrities) are using a lot of makeup. They know better at this point."

Young people "know the facts, but it's the age-old thinking: 'I'm young and invincible," she said.

Connie Romero, owner of the Markham Hair & Tanning Salon on the East Side, has been helping people bronze for the past 15 years.

"Tanning in beds is a lot safer than being out in the sun, because the machines are monitored and have timers," she said. "It can be harmful if it's abused, but safe if you follow the rules."

A new study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that people who use sunlamps are 2 1/2 times more likely to develop squamous-cell carcinoma and 1 1/2 times more likely to develop basal-cell carcinoma, which are less serious than melanoma.

The study indicates that the younger people are when they are exposed to sunlamps, the greater the risk later on.

But tanning -- in salons or out in the sun -- for the sake of tanning is not a good idea for any age group, said Hector Franco, an El Paso dermatologist.

"People need sunlight, that is true," Franco said. "Sunlight is good to a certain extent, but an excessive amount can not only damage your skin, but lower your immune system."

Jeany Llorente may be reached at jllorente@elpasotimes.com Philadelphia Inquirer contributed to this story; Source: Seventeen Magazine; Source: Cancer Facts and Figures 2002, American Cancer Society.