When he’s not treating patients’ skin problems, Dr. Bahr can be found hiking or playing football near his Utah home. An outdoor enthusiast, he spends a lot of time in the sun; as a board-certified dermatologist, he knows the importance of taking steps to protect himself from harmful UV rays.

“Skin cancer affects more Americans than all other cancers combined,” he says. “And what’s worse is that it continues to rise. The good news is that in many ways it’s a ‘preventable epidemic.’”

He encourages patients to take easy prevention measures including using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher (choose the waterproof type and reapply it frequently throughout the day), wearing clothing that protects from the sun, avoiding tanning beds and making sure your diet includes enough vitamin D and vitamin A.

What he enjoys most about his role at Direct Dermatology is that it gives him the ability to help patients who might otherwise not have access to a dermatologist or who might have to wait several months for an appointment.

“When you have a skin irregularity, it’s important to have it checked sooner rather than later,” he says. “Catching potential problems early when they are most treatable is essential. Teledermatology gives us an unprecedented means of doing that.”