verlook Hospital met with more than two dozen visitors to the Millburn pool and offered them free skin screenings along with a lesson on harmful sun exposure..

Representatives from Overlook Medical Center and Atlantic Health Group let members of the public use the Dermaview Machine to see sun damage underneath the skin, which cannot be seen in a normal mirror. The group also educated people on how to better protect themselves in the future.

“I was shocked [at the results],” said Mary Saggio, who came for the screening with her two daughters, 10-year-old Carly and nine-year-old Julia. “Although I’m a stickler [about using sunscreen now], I didn’t use it when I was young. We used to put oil on because we liked to be tan, even though a tan is actually damage.”

“[The machine showed] tons more freckles than I have,” said Carly.

The Overlook Group said that almost everyone who came in for the screening could take advantage of the free sunblock that was given out. Representatives said sun damage is biggest factor in wrinkling and aging of the skin.

“It’s a good wakeup call,” said Katherine Ferguson, a health educator with Community Health at Overlook Medical Center. She said that people should be concerned about sun damage over all seasons. “Even in the winter because the sun reflects so much off the snow. I always tell women to try to wear makeup with sunscreen in it.”

Ferguson said that they recommend sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for everyone – more for especially fair or sensitive skin.

“You can still get a tan with SPF 30,” said Ferguson, who said the biggest mistake most people make when it comes to protecting their skin is not reapplying sunscreen every two hours or not reapply after going swimming or sweating a lot.

Dolores Keller, Public Health Nurse and Health Educator, said that they are planning a second free screening sometime in September. The date is yet to be announced.

According to Keller, Overlook will also hold a health fair for anyone age 18 or over at the Bauer Center in Millburn on Oct. 12 from 8:30 a.m. until noon. The fair will offer free vision, hearing and bone density testing, as well as presentations from a chiropractor and nutritionist. Anyone who would like blood work must preregister and pay a fee to cover the cost of the test