Medical Reports

WSVN--From the beach to the boats, South Floridians have a love affair with the sun.

But every year, more than seven thousand people nationwide die from skin cancer.

Eliana Ricordi: "I always, always get sunburned."

For model Eliana Ricordi, ultraviolet rays have been the ultimate enemy.

In the past, she only fought back with the slather and lather technique.

Eliana Ricordi: "I do alot of modeling and commercials and so your skin is very important."

But now, there is a new secret weapon.

For the first time ever, this bottle is offering pill protection in the United States.

Its called 'Heliocare' and it is sold right here in South Florida by a company called IVAX.

Dr. William Eaglstein: "It helps the body to prevent and repair damage."

For sixty dollars, the medication offers more than a ray of hope.

It's supposed to increase tolerance to sun, prevent aging, and protect cells deep within the skin - cells that creams and ointments don't reach.

Dr. William Eaglstein: "It's not a sunscreen. It doesn't work by screening out or blocking out ultraviolet light but rather works by helping your body combact the effects produced by the ultraviolet light."

Illaria Pezzatini noticed she too needed to save herself from the sun.

Ilaria Pezzatini: "I would get these brown spots on my cheeks."

As soon as she started taking Heliocare, solar power wasn't nearly so powerful.

And best of all - the supplements start working 30-minutes after the first dose.

Ilaria Pezzatini: "Now I see my skin is much more resistant to the sun and I don't get the spots as easily as i used to."

Christine Cruz: "Heliocare however isn't new. It's just new to us. It's been sold in Europe for more than thirty years. But keep in mind - while there are no known side effects, doctors warn it is not a substitute for sunscreen."

Dr. Mark Nestor: "The sun is still getting through so you want to do this in addition to sunblock."

Otherwise, dermatologists believe this can be a real skin-saver.

Dr. Mark Nestor: "If it helps with the damage then it can certainly help with sun related diseases such as skin cancer."

It rescued Eliana on her recent vacation in the Bahamas.

For the first time in a long time, she was able to have fun in the sun without worrying.

Eliana Ricordi: "I was able to stay in the sun as long as I wanted to I didn't even feel like i was getting burned."

Like all supplements, Heliocare is not FDA approved. You can buy it at some dermatologist offices and health care stores. It is safe for everyone except pregnant women.

It should also be noted it has not been carefully studied in patients under the age of eighteen.