Protect your skin from the sun

By Yun Phalla

Skin is definitely in come summer, but if you don’t take care of your precious epidermis, you won’t have much to flaunt for long.
Jennifer Melo, a web editor in Toronto, learned just how unforgiving the sun could be during a summer trip to the cottage.
“I sunbathed from morning to sundown — without sunscreen. I got burned so badly that you could see how red my skin was right through a white golf shirt. Big blisters developed on my chest, and I had to apply antibacterial ointment and gauze because I was afraid of getting an infection.”
Needless to say this was a one-time occurrence.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re 6 or 60 — overexposure can do you harm. “When you’re young, you can never imagine getting older,” says Dr. Mary Lupo, dermatologist and clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. “But you get a lot of sun damage before you’re 18 and it’s very expensive to undo it.”

From sun spots to cancer

Wrinkles, sun spots and premature aging are just some of the skin problems you can develop. Most dangerous of all is skin cancer, which can occur after only one serious sunburn.
While skin cancer is the most preventable of cancers, the Canadian Dermatology Association estimated there would be 69,000 new cases of all types of non-melanoma skin cancer in Canada in 2007. The damage can usually be cured if caught early, but if left undiagnosed it can spread and be fatal.
To find out if you are at risk, take the quiz Are You at Risk for Skin Cancer? Then, determine your children’s chances of getting skin cancer with Is Your Child at Risk for Skin Cancer?
This summer, be safe in the sun by following these five tips for looking after your skin.

Wear sunscreen

“The single most important thing you can do is use a sunscreen,” says Lupo. “You get UV light all year round.”
To be protected, choose a product with an SPF of at least 25 that combats both UVA and UVB rays. Put it on at least 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every one to two hours. If you are in the pool or at the lake, using a waterproof or water-resistant product is fine, but you must still reapply after towelling off.
Try Ombrelle Lotion and Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock — both CDA-approved.

Avoid the sun

To minimize overexposure to the sun, Health Canada recommends staying out of the sun at peak times (between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.) during the summer months.
If you have to be outside, sit in the shade and away from reflective surfaces such as water and sand. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and tightly woven clothes, which are harder for the sun to penetrate, as well as sunglasses with proper UV protection.
Also keep in mind that some medications, such as Accutane and tetracycline, make you even more sensitive to the sun.

Use a self-tanner

If you want a sun-kissed look, grab a bottle of self-tanner. For best coverage and to reduce streaking, exfoliate the skin from head to toe and remove all unwanted body hair about 24 to 48 hours before application. Because self-tanners remain on the skin’s surface, avoid taking a shower or going into the pool for at least three hours after applying, and do not dress for at least a half hour. Moisturizer can help stop the colour from flaking off and looking patchy. Try Neutrogena Build-a-Tan and Roc Minesol Bronze Self Tanning Spray.

From left to right: Jergens Soothing Aloe Relief, Roc Minesol Bronze Self Tanning Spray, Ombrelle Lotion, Yves Rocher Cap Soleil Soothing After Sun Lotion, Buffy the Backside Slayer Body Butter, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, Neutrogena Build-a-Tan and Curel Moisture Therapy Lotion

Exfoliate and hydrate your skin

When you exfoliate, you’re removing dry or dead skin cells and helping skin products — self-tanners or sunscreens — work better, explains Lupo. To keep skin hydrated, use an oil-free lotion (creams are better for winter months) which will lock in moisture and won’t leave you feeling greasy. Try Lush’s combination moisturizer/exfoliator Buffy the Backside Slayer Body Butter and Curel Moisture Therapy Lotion.

Take care when outdoors

Just because you’re out of the sun, it doesn’t mean the damaging rays have stopped attacking your skin. Rehydrate your skin with after-sun care products. Aloe, in particular, has a nice cooling effect on sunburnt skin. Try Yves Rocher Cap Soleil Soothing After Sun Lotion and Jergens Soothing Aloe Relief.
And if you do get a bad burn, take a cool shower or apply an ice pack and take Aspirin, Motrin or Advil for the pain. If the burn becomes inflamed, try hydrocortisone cream and if the burn blisters, see your doctor.

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