Since 1989, The Canadian Dermatology Association and The Canadian Cancer society have been hosting all sorts of events during National Sun Awareness Week (which occurred earlier this month, from June 4 to June 10): free skin screenings, school visits by dermatologists, video competition for teens are among the few initiatives meant to bring ‘light’ to the subject of sun-safety. With the days warming up in temperature, it’s easy to feel and see how the sun effects your body. Aside from the obvious sunburns you may receive on a hot day, even the cloudy days will wreck havoc on your fragile skin. Excessive sun exposure can cause sunburn, skin damage, skin cancer, cataracts, uneven pigmentation of skin and heat stroke. Take the right precautions to avoid these hazards and enjoy the sun safely:
- Wear sunscreen- “Go green” when it comes to your sunscreen- especially on your infants – many products contain harmful chemicals and hormones, so be sure to research products before purchasing. An SPF of 30 or higher is recommended & regular applications maximizes effectiveness of the product. Most importantly, make sure it has both UVA & UVB coverage! Goddess Garden Natural Sunscreen is one of my personal favourites.
- Wear Light Clothing- Don’t forget a hat! Light layers of clothing work best, in light colors which reflect heat, rather than dark ones, which absorb it. Try a shell or tank top, and then wear a light camp shirt open over that. Natural fibers like cotton are coolest.
- Sunglasses – Not only do they accessorize the perfect summer outfit- but sunglasses also protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Just remember to wear ones that are UV-protected.
- Chug! Chug! Chug!- Water, that is. Don’t forget to stay hydrated. Usually by the time you actually realize you’re even thirsty, you’ve already become dehydrated. So be sure to drink sugar-free drinks, H2O is the best option, frequently throughout the day. Don’t leave your water bottles in the Sun either! The sun will emit toxic chemicals from the plastic in the bottle.
- Limit Your Exposure- Take a break from the outdoors every hour or so, especially during the hot summer months, & relax indoors. Too much sun exposure can create heat stroke. If you’re not basking in the sun, how can you get a nice “sun-kissed” glow you ask? Easy! Try out some sunless tanning products- Neutrogena and St.Tropez have some tinted lotions. Or you could try your hand at commercial spray tan units- like Mystic Tan, these however, are often pricey.
A relatively new product has become on of my personal favourites- Canadian-born company, Tropic Spa Tan Inc has created a mist tanning unit that hangs on the back of your bathroom door which gives users a natural-looking tan after a 12 second rotation. ‘The “tan” usually lasts about one week and it’s a much more affordable route than commercial units and even retail lotions.
There you have it “sun-safe” goddesses, just a handful of ways to help stay safe this summer and minimize your wrinkles in the future.
