Q. I’ll be outdoors a lot this summer, and I want to protect myself from insects as well as the sun. Would it be better to use a product that combines insect repellent and sunscreen, or two different products? What would be the best way to apply and reapply these products?

Pierre George, MD, practices general dermatology and Mohs surgery at Dermatology Consultants in St. Paul, MN.  He is the author of numerous articles and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Society for Mohs Surgery, and the  American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Q.What should I look for when I perform a skin self-exam, and how do I perform one?

Roger Ceilley, MD, FAAD, is Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, and is in private practice in West Des Moines.

Q. I want to get a tattoo. Is there any chance I could develop skin cancer from the inks? Should people with melanoma avoid tattoos?

Ariel Ostad, MD, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in private practice in New York, NY, and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine answers this question.

Q. Is it possible to find one sunscreen that will give me complete protection? The more I learn about sunscreens, the more confused I become. I’ve seen graphs of ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) light ranges, showing which sunscreen ingredients work best to protect against the different ranges.

Jennifer Linder, MD, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in private practice in Scottsdale, AZ, and a clinical instructor at UCSF Dept. of Dermatology answers this question.

Q: If a baby was severely sunburned twice, is she at an increased risk for skin cancer? Can any measures be taken to reduce potential risks?

David Bank, MD is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society of Liposuction Surgery and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and is on the Board of Directors of the New York State Dermatology Society.

Q:  Does smoking make skin cancer worse?

Robert H. Gotkin, M.D., F.A.C.S., Director of Plastic Surgery at Cosmetique Dermatology, Laser & Plastic Surgery, LLP answers this question.

Q: I'm going to be studying in Australia during the summer, and I'm worried about the sun. I'm extremely pale, I burn easily and my skin never tans. I'm considering visiting a tanning salon a few times before my trip so that I can condition my skin a little for the Australian sun. Will this decrease my chances of getting skin cancer?

Steven M. Rotter, MD answers this question.

Q: Can sunless tanners cause skin cancer?

David Bank, MD is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society of Liposuction Surgery and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

Q:  I have a growth on my nose, and I'm convinced that it's skin cancer, but I haven't been to the doctor. It's not that big, so I'm thinking about not going in to have the growth removed. Would this be so bad?  What happens with a basal or squamous cell cancer if you just leave it alone?

Rex Amonette, MD, is  past president of the American Academy of Dermatology, and currently clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Tennessee.

Q: I have a basal cell cancer on the side of my nose. My plastic surgeon has recommended that I get Mohs surgery to have it removed, and then he would perform the corrective plastic surgery the same day. Doesn't my nose need time to heal first?

Robert H. Gotkin, M.D., F.A.C.S., Director of Plastic Surgery at Cosmetique Dermatology, Laser & Plastic Surgery, LLP answers this question.