Summer Skin Care

It’s a beautiful day outside, and the sun is shining down on you, warming your skin to the perfect temperature. Like the plants and animals around us, we need the sun to survive—but exposure to the sun has a dark side, too. Extended exposure to sunlight, especially during childhood, can cause significant skin damage.

Sunlight travels through the air as ultraviolet radiation (UV rays). There are several different types of UV rays. UVA rays play a role in causing skin damage such as wrinkling and premature aging of the skin, and they have also been associated with causing skin cancer. UVB rays are mostly to blame for sunburn and are closely linked with the development of skin cancer. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from skin damage and still enjoy the sun. Here are some tips that can help.

• Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors when the sun’s rays are most intense—usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Look for shade. A good guideline to use is that if your shadow is shorter than you are, move into the shade. Babies under six months of age should always be in the shade and their skin should be covered.

• Wear protective clothing and sunglasses. A long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and a hat will help protect your skin from the sun’s rays. Choose sunglasses that provide 99% to 100% UV absorption to protect your eyes.

• Always wear sunscreen on any exposed skin when you go outdoors—all year round, every day, even when it’s cloudy. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and make sure it has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Apply 30 mL (1 oz.) of sunscreen—about enough to fill a shot glass—to your whole body 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply more sunscreen to your body every two hours, or every hour if you are swimming or sweating. If you need help selecting a sunscreen, your London Drugs pharmacy team will be happy to help you.

• Use a lip balm or lipstick that contains a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher

• Be especially careful around water and sand, because these surfaces can reflect the sun’s rays, increasing your chances of getting a sunburn.

• Be aware of medication side effects. Some medicines can make you more sensitive to the sun. Your London Drugs pharmacists can let you know if any of the medicines you take could have this effect.

Your summer skin care routine

Your daily skin care routine needs to be adjusted as the seasons change. As the temperature rises and the humidity increases, our skin begins to produce more oil for protection, but the oil can get stuck on the skin surface, clogging pores and making skin feel greasy. Blocked pores can lead to acne breakouts, the most common skin problem that occurs in summer. Wash your face with a deep cleansing facial wash suited to your skin type.

If you choose to exfoliate your skin, do it gently. Choose a method and product made for your skin type. If not done properly, exfoliation can cause more harm than good, leading to skin damage or acne breakouts. Always follow exfoliation with a moisturizer. If you are not sure if exfoliation is right for you, speak to your pharmacist, family doctor, or dermatologist first.

Keeping your skin hydrated is key all summer long. Drinking about eight 250 mL (8 oz.) glasses of water daily will also help maintain the moisture balance of your body and your skin. You may require more or less water depending on your activities for the day, your general health, and how much caffeine you consume.

Use a moisturizer to protect your skin and choose one based on your skin type. Look for creams and lotions that are unscented, non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores), and consider those with sunscreen if it will be used on exposed skin. For best absorption, apply the moisturizer immediately after you bathe.

Remember your eyes and lips. Sunglasses with larger lenses can help protect the delicate skin around your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. If your lipstick does not provide SPF protection, apply a lip balm with SPF protection under your lipstick.

Gently scrub your feet to exfoliate and apply moisturizer and sunscreen to them daily, especially if you wear sandals or open-toed shoes.

Don’t sweat it!

Summer sun brings summer sweat and the odour that comes with it. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to minimize or eliminate excessive sweating.

• Look for clothes made from breathable fabrics to help you stay cool.

• Limit or avoid eating spicy foods, because they raise overall body temperature, and the body’s response is to create sweat to help us cool down.

• Stay hydrated. Drinking cold water will help your body stay cool and reduce sweating.

• Deodorants to help control or mask odours and antiperspirants to control sweating or wetness are especially desirable in warmer weather. Look for a product that has a gentle formula and feels good on your skin.

If you need any assistance choosing summer skin care products, our pharmacists and beauty advisors are always here to help you.

Heatstroke & Dehydration

Heatstroke, sometimes called sunstroke, is a life-threatening condition that usually results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures, and/or over-exertion in hot weather. Often accompanying—or resulting from—dehydration, heatstroke signals the failure of the body’s ability to control its temperature, allowing its core to reach 40 degrees Celcius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher. The medical term for heatstroke is hyperthermia.

A person with heatstroke requires immediate emergency treatment as, untreated, the extreme body heat can quickly damage the brain, heart, kidneys and muscles. Existing asthma, emphysema, and other lung conditions can also be worsened by heat. The damage intensifies the longer medical treatment is delayed, increasing the risk of serious complications or death.

Symptoms of Heatstroke

Symptoms of heatstroke include the following:

  • A throbbing headache
  • Fainting
  • Dizziness, light-headedness
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Flushed skin
  • Inability to sweat, despite the heat
  • Rapid breathing, often shallow
  • Racing heart rate
  • Muscle weakness and/or cramps
  • Confusion, slurred speech, agitation, seizures, staggering, or coma

Act Fast

If you suspect someone has heatstroke (or you are experiencing any of these symptoms and are alone), you must act fast, as a delay could be fatal. Immediately call 911 or drive the person to a hospital if one is close by. While waiting, carry or steer the person to a cooler area, under a tree if outdoors, or into a cooler building. Remove unnecessary clothing and cool the body any way you can, using cold compresses (for example a towel dipped in seawater). If you have access to a house where there is a shower or bath, or a garden hose if unable to gain access, run cold water over the person or fill the tub with cold water and immerse them. If available, place ice packs or cold, wet towels on the person’s head, neck, back, armpits and groin. (These areas have many superficial blood vessels which will help to cool the body.) Never use ice packs to cool a child, senior, or person with an existing medical condition unless advised to do so by a medical professional. It is vital that you attempt to cool a person suffering from heatstroke any way you can until medical help arrives.

Causes & Risk Factors

Although heatstroke is usually caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures, or over-exertion in hot weather, certain behaviours can increase risk. These include failure to wear appropriate clothing (light clothing that covers the shoulders and a wide-brimmed hat), consuming alcohol, and not drinking enough water to replenish that lost through sweating.

People at greater risk of developing heatstroke include babies and young children, and elderly people. Babies and young children have an underdeveloped central nervous system (CNS) and the elderly often experience deterioration of the CNS­—making it difficult for both groups to adapt to extremes of temperature. Elderly people who live in hot apartments without air conditioning are at high risk for heatstroke.

While most people recognize that babies, children and animals should never be left in a car (even for a brief period with the windows cracked), sometimes the temptation proves greater than common sense. Never, ever leave a person or animal locked in a car in warm weather. The temperature in a car can rise 7 degrees C (over 20 degrees F) in just ten minutes.

Certain medications can also increase a person’s risk for heatstroke. These include diuretics, which cause water to be lost from the body; vasocontrictors, which narrow the blood vessels; beta blockers, which regulate blood pressure by blocking adrenalin; and tranquillizers or anticonvulsives, which may inhibit the perception of there being anything amiss.

Finally, be sure to drink lots of water and take regular breaks in the shade if you are engaged in physical activity during hot weather.

Dehydration

Close to three-quarters of the human body consists of water. For the average adult, this amounts to 40 litres. Every day, we breathe and sweat close to three litres of this water away, and lose another 1.5 litres to urination.

Many of us spend much of the time in a state of mild dehydration due to consuming too many diuretic drinks like colas, tea and coffee. Although this has the effect of slowing us down, in hot weather, water loss through sweating is accelerated, resulting in severe dehydration. This is a serious condition that requires medical attention.

Within the body, water serves a number of important functions including facilitating the function of body cells, supporting digestion and excretion, the circulation of blood and lymph, and maintenance of body temperature. Without adequate water, vital body functions shut down, which is why people can live a lot longer without food than without water.

Symptoms of Dehydration

Signs of being dehydrated include the following:

  • Nausea and weakness
  • Dizziness and confusion
  • Headache and/or leg cramps
  • Increased heart rate, palpitations
  • Reduced urinary output, bright yellow urine
  • Dry mouth and tongue

Immediate medical attention is required if you, or another person, are experiencing a fever over 39 degrees C (103 degrees F); have difficulty breathing; are fainting or having seizures; have chest or abdominal pain, or have had little or no urinary output in the past 12 hours.

Ensuring you drink enough water throughout the day is very important, particularly during warmer weather, and always before and during physical activity. Remember that alcohol accelerates dehydration, and drink two glasses of water for every alcoholic beverage consumed.

As with heatstroke, seniors and children are more likely to become dehydrated as they may not experience the sensation of thirst as obviously as younger adults. This is particularly true if they have diarrhea and/or are vomiting.

The solution for mild to moderate dehydration is to drink more water, and/or an electrolyte formula such as Hydralyte®.(Water alone will not replace the electrolytes lost through sweat.) Juice is not a good idea when diarrhea is present as it can worsen the condition.

Sun Safety for the Outdoors


Gardeners, golfers, and other participants in outdoor sports often become the victims of too much sun and too little protection.

Applying sunscreen and reapplying it at regular intervals, is reasonably easy to remember when outdoors. Always apply 20 minutes or so before exposure, reapplying at two-hour intervals, and again after getting wet.

Reapplying sunscreen during being active outdoors is often overlooked. The fact that we sweat heavily during exercising, which dilutes the sun protection we have applied, spells double trouble.

Pointers for staying sun safe outdoors

  • Golfers: Choose a high SPF sunscreen (minimum SPF 30) and reapply after nine holes. Seek out shade whenever possible. Wear a broad-brimmed hat and make sure to protect your neck.
  • Runners, and cyclists: Choose sweat-resistant or water-resistant sunscreen and remember to reapply after heavy perspiration.
  • Gardeners: Ensure you garden before 11 am or after 3 pm to avoid sun exposure at its strongest. Wearing long pants and sleeves in dark colors and tightly woven fabrics can also protect from the sun’s rays. You can even consider sun-protection clothing to further block UV exposure.

Most people do not apply enough sunscreen to reach the level of SPF indicated on the packaging. For adequate protection, you should apply two to three tablespoons of sunscreen over your body (approximately one and a half shot glasses) and a teaspoon on your face before going outside.

Whichever sunscreen you choose, be sure that it provides protection against both UVB and UVA rays. (Most sunscreens that offer this protection will say broad spectrum on the packaging.) UVA light penetrates more deeply into the skin, contributing to the risk of skin cancers.

The high-pressure sunlamps used in tanning salons emit doses of UVA as much as 12 times that received from the sun. As a result, people who use tanning salons are significantly more likely to develop skin cancer. Research also suggests that first exposure to tanning beds during the teens or 20s increases lifetime melanoma risk by 75 per cent.

Staying Safe in the Sun

  • Be sure to check the Environment Canada UV Index, which is published in most daily newspapers alongside the weather forecast. On days when the UV Index reaches 3 or more (moderate), you need to be extra careful to protect your skin.
  • Avoid sun exposure between 11 am and 3 pm.
  • Seek shade whenever possible.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses.
  • Reapply your sunscreen frequently (at least every two hours and always after swimming or taking a dip).
  • Avoid tanning and tanning beds.
  • Examine your skin from head to toe monthly. Look for moles that have an irregular border, or are non-symmetrical; that are more than one shade or colour, or are greater than 6 mm in diameter. Also be aware of moles that change in size, shape or colour. Report any such changes to your doctor.

Shop for Hot Weather Needs:

Reminder: Widely-used medications can make skin vulnerable to sunlight, may cause severe sunburn or rashes

Before heading outdoors this summer, our pharmacists are reminding you to be aware of sun-sensitizing drugs. Widely-used over-the-counter and prescription medicationssuch as antibiotics, sulfa-containing medications, and acne treatmentscan make skin more vulnerable to sunlight, increasing the risk of sunburn, and in some cases, make the skin photosensitive. This photosensitivity can cause photoallergic or phototoxic reactions to the sun’s UV rays, in the form of painful and itchy rashes, or even blisters and sunburns.

Phototoxic reactions are the most common and result in a sunburn-like rash within minutes or hours of the medication interacting with UV rays. Meanwhile, photoallergic reactions can develop days after sun exposure. They occur when UV rays trigger chemical changes, resulting in the body reacting to the medication as if it is an allergen. Side effects include a red, itchy, scaly rash and in severe cases, blisters. Reactions are somewhat unpredictable and can be a one-time occurrence, or it can happen each time the drug is taken and sun exposure occurs.

Be Proactive About Sun Protection

Everyone should be proactive about protecting themselves from the sun, but for those on sun-sensitizing drugs, it’s even more critical. Wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen regularly are two important measures. 

If you’re taking sun-sensitizing medications, you can also reduce your likelihood of a reaction by planning sun exposure for earlier or later in the day to avoid the sun’s rays when they are strongest.

For advice on sun safety and sun-sensitizing medications, visit us at any London Drugs location to speak with a pharmacist.

Sunscreen Tips & the Best Self-Tanners for a Healthy Glow

Get that gorgeous golden glow, without damaging your skin! Our Beauty Advisor Amanda will introduce you to her favourite self-tanning products to help you achieve a natural-looking tan safely. Plus, she’ll share her top tips for choosing the right sunscreen and applying it properly, so your skin will be protected against the harmful rays of the summer sun.

Products Featured:

Other Products Recommended by Amanda:

 

Subscribe to London Drugs on YouTube and stay tuned for more beauty videos!

Suncare Tips for Protecting Your Skin & Getting a Healthy Glow

It’s nice to have a beautiful golden tan over the summer months, but it’s important to also protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays! Our Beauty Advisor Amanda shares her top tips for choosing the right sunscreen and applying it properly. Plus she introduces her favourite self-tanning products to help you achieve a natural-looking tan safely.

For a limited time, receive special bonuses on the suncare and luxury self-tanning products featured here. Buy 2, Get $10 off all Avène, La Roche Posay and Vichy suncare products with online coupon code SUNCARE10 or in-store coupon. Additionally, with a minimum $50 purchase of luxury cosmetics (excluding sets), receive a $10 Instant Bonus with online coupon code LUXURYSAVE10 or in-store coupon. These offers are valid from July 1st – July 15th.

Products Featured:

Other Products Recommended by Amanda:

Subscribe to London Drugs on YouTube and stay tuned for more beauty videos!

 

 

 

Sun Awareness – bettercare

At London Drugs, the well being of our customers is our primary goal. We demonstrate our commitment to that goal through our dedication to serving your healthcare needs.

If you have any questions about your medications or health conditions, please ask your pharmacist to set up a private consultation or browse through our wide array of health education materials.

Skin provides our first line of defense against the world around us, and yet we so often abuse it without even a second thought. Every time we go outdoors we expose our skin to the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.

And just what makes the sun so dangerous? Sunlight contains ultraviolet radiation that is very damaging to the skin. Although many people still think of a tan as a sign of health, it is actually a sign of skin damage. A change in skin colour means that your body has been unable to cope with the amount of sun it has gotten, and it has produced extra amounts of the chemical that colours skin in attempt to limit further damage. And the damage from the sun is cumulative with each successive exposure.

Sun damage can range from the pain and blistering of a sunburn to the wrinkled, saggy appearance caused by photoaging to the most serious problem of all: skin cancer. More than 90% of all skin cancers occur on the parts of the body that are subjected to repeated sun exposure.

Health Canada warns that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Canada and that the primary factor that increases the risk of developing it is excessive exposure to the sun’s UV radiation. Skin cancer is largely preventable if sun protective practices are used, and we have developed this booklet to give you the information you need to protect your skin from the ravages of sun damage.

The Myth of the ‘Healthy Tan’

Medical science has long been aware that prolonged exposure to sunlight, especially during childhood, can cause premature aging of the skin and, ultimately, skin cancer. Yet the myth of a “healthy tan” persists.

If you learn only one thing from this booklet, let it be the fact that there is no such thing as a healthy tan. The skin discolouration we refer to as a tan is, in itself, a sign of skin damage.

How the Sun Damages the Skin

The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the form of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.

  • UVA: UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin and cause damage that leads to premature aging.
  • UVB: UVB rays damage the outer layer of the skin and cause sunburn.
  • UVC: UVC rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, so they do not reach the earth’s surface.

The ozone layer currently blocks out most of the sun’s harmful UV rays, but with the thinning of the ozone layer, there is concern that more of the sun’s radiation will reach the earth’s surface in the future.

The Canadian Cancer Society reports that the risk of developing skin cancer today is much greater than it was 20 years ago. In addition to the thinning ozone layer, the primary reason for this is the outdoor lifestyle many people have adopted. We spend more time working outside and more of our recreational activities take place outdoors. As a consequence, skin cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that there were more than 75,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer and 5,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed in 2009.

The UV Index

Because the effects of sun exposure are cumulative, the more time you spend in the sun during your lifetime, the greater your risk of developing sun-related health problems such as skin damage and cataracts.

Environment Canada has developed the UV Index to help us determine our exposure. The index indicates the intensity of UV radiation on a scale from low (UV index of 0 to 2) to extreme (UV index of 11 or above). The higher the UV index is, the stronger the sun’s rays are and the greater the need to take precautions.

UV IndexWhat It Means
0-2Low
3-5Moderate
6-7High
8-10Very High
11 and aboveExtreme

Types of Sun Damage

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can damage the skin in many ways, including the following:

  • Sunburn causes tenderness, pain, swelling, and blistering.
  • Sun exposure leads to premature aging of the skin. Over time, unprotected skin exposed to the sun becomes more wrinkled, saggy, leathery, and blotchy than protected skin. Damage to the deeper layers of the skin also results in loss of skin elasticity. This process is separate from the normal aging process.
  • Some people can develop allergies to the sun after short periods of sun exposure,
    causing bumps, hives, blisters, or red blotchy areas.
  • About 70% of pregnant women develop a condition called melasma or chloasma,
    more commonly known as “the mask of pregnancy,” which shows up as dark
    patches of skin on the face following sun exposure. It is due to an excess of
    melanin in the skin caused by surging estrogen levels.
  • Melasma can also affect women who aren’t pregnant, especially those on birth
    control pills or who experience hormone fluctuations and those with certain
    hormone problems.
  • The sun can cause unsightly red, yellow, grey, or brown spots and scaly growths
    (actinic keratoses) that may develop into skin cancer.
  • And the most serious problem of all: skin cancer. More than 90% of all skin cancers
    occur on parts of the body exposed to the sun. The face, neck, ears, forearms,
    chest, back, legs, and hands are the most common sites.

The skin isn’t the only organ to suffer from sun damage. Here are some of the other developments sun worshippers have to look forward to:

  • UV radiation can cause eye damage including cataracts, one of the leading causes of blindness.
  • Even short periods of sun exposure can damage the immune system and make the body more susceptible to infections and cancers.
  • Some diseases become worse with sun exposure including herpes simplex (cold sores), chicken pox, lupus, and certain genetic problems.

Skin Cancer: What You Need to Know

Skin cancer is by far the most common type of cancer. There are three different forms of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell, and melanoma. Most skin cancers are either basal cell or squamous cell. When they are detected promptly and treated in the earliest stages, treatment is successful in about 90% of cases. Basal cell cancers usually appear on sun-exposed areas of the body—most commonly the face and neck, but also on the trunk, arms, and legs. The appearance of this type of cancer varies from person to person. Squamous cell cancers most often appear as thickened, red, scaly bumps or wart-like growths, but they can also look like an open sore or crusted skin.

Melanomas—which account for about 6% of cases—are a much more serious form of skin cancer, and the only effective treatment is early detection and prompt surgical removal. Melanoma often begins as a mole-like growth that may become itchy or bleed. It is usually a dark brown but may be mixed with areas of white, pink, blue, or grey. It can change shape, grow larger, or even change colour.

Any time you notice a new spot on your body or an old spot that changes, especially if it bleeds easily, you should consult your doctor. If you have spent much time in the sun, you should learn the “ABCDEs” of spotting a melanoma:

  • A is for asymmetry. If you draw a line through the centre spot, the halves will not be identical.
  • B is for their borders. The edges will be uneven, scalloped, or notched. C is for their colour. There can be a variety of shades (brown, red, white, blue, or black).
  • D is for their diameter. The distance across the spot will be greater than 6 mm – about the size of the eraser on the end of a pencil.
  • E is for evolution. This refers to any change in size, colour, shape, or height of the spot or the development of a new symptom such as bleeding, itching, or crusting.

Risk Factors for Skin Cancer

The most significant risk factor for developing skin cancer is exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The skin can repair superficial damage such as the redness of a sunburn, but the underlying damage remains and accumulates with each successive sun exposure. However, the damage may not become apparent for 20 or 30 years. While UV radiation damages everyone’s skin, some people are more likely to develop skin cancer than others. The following factors increase a person’s risk. If any of these apply to you, you should consider taking special precautions when spending time in the sun. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that about 60% to 70% of skin cancer cases in Canada could be avoided if people adopted safer lifestyles.

  • Skin colour: fair
  • Hair colour: blond or red
  • Eye colour: blue, green, or hazel
  • Having many moles, freckles, or birthmarks
  • Sunburn easily
  • Having had a serious sunburn, especially during childhood
  • Spending a lot of time in the sun, especially as a child
  • A family history of skin cancer
  • Tanning in the sun, a tanning salon, or with a sunlamp
  • A history of keratoses (non-cancerous growths on the skin)
  • A history of immune disorders
  • Treatments for previous skin disorders
  • Severe skin damage, including burns
  • Taking certain medications that make your skin more sensitive to the sun

Monthly Skin Self-Examinations

One of the most efficient methods of detecting skin cancer and ensuring its prompt treatment is to perform a monthly skin self-examination. When you perform this exam, you should look for:

  • Any change in the shape, colour, size, or surface of a birthmark or a mole
  • Any new growths on your skin
  • Any sore that doesn’t heal
  • Any patch of skin that bleeds, oozes, swells, itches, or becomes red and bumpy

The best way to perform a skin self-examination is to stand naked in front of a full-length mirror and use a hand-held mirror to help you view every inch of your skin. It can also be helpful if there is someone available to assist you in checking the difficult-to-access areas such as the back of your neck and legs and behind your ears.

Check your whole body—front, back, and sides. Look carefully at your hands, including the palms, at both the tops and undersides of your arms, and at the front and back of your legs. Look between your buttocks and around your genital area. Examine your feet, including the soles and spaces between your toes. Check your face, neck and scalp, moving your hair if necessary to get a good look.

If you find anything unusual or if you are unsure or confused by what you find, see your doctor.

Self-Defense: Protecting Yourself from Sun Damage

Protecting yourself from sun damage begins with shielding your skin from damaging ultraviolet radiation. And that means using a sunscreen every time you go outdoors. There are two different types of sunscreens: chemical blocks and physical blocks. Chemical blocks work by absorbing the ultraviolet rays before they reach your skin. Physical blocks form a physical barrier that acts like a mirror to reflect the rays away from your skin. The choice of which kind to use will depend on what you like and what type of skin you have.

Once you have decided on the type of sunscreen you want, the next step is to decide how much protection you need. Sunscreens are rated by a system called sun protection factor, or SPF for short. The higher the SPF rating, the longer the protection will last. The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends that you look for a product with a minimum SPF of 30 to protect against the sun’s UVB rays plus ingredients that protect against UVA. Sunscreens labelled as “broad spectrum” help protect against both kinds of radiation.

An SPF 15 means the sunscreen gives you 15 times as much protection as your natural skin colouring. If your skin normally turns red after 20 minutes in the sun, a sunscreen rated SPF 15 will prevent sunburn for 15 times as long, i.e., 300 minutes (5 hours). However, it is important to remember that no sunscreen gives complete protection against all of the damaging rays, and no sunscreen will be effective if it isn’t used properly. Also remember that swimming and perspiring remove some sunscreen, so be sure to reapply the product as needed.

Here are some general guidelines for sunscreen use:

  • Apply chemical sunscreens about 30 minutes before going out in the sun, because they must be absorbed into the skin. (There is no need to wait if you use a physical barrier sunscreen.) A second application 20 minutes after going outdoors will increase the protection.
  • Use a generous amount and use it on all exposed areas of your skin. Don’t forget your ears, around your eyes, your neck, the tops of your feet, and your bald spot if you have one.
  • Rub it in thoroughly to ensure even coverage.
  • Reapply the sunscreen every few hours. Read the labels carefully; some sunscreens provide protection for longer than others.
  • Reapply the sunscreen after swimming or perspiring, even if you are using a waterproof product.
  • Use your sunscreen all year long, even in cloudy or foggy weather. And remember, the effects of UV radiation can be magnified by as much as 40% by the sun’s rays reflecting off snow.

While sunscreens are very important, they are not the whole story. The delicate skin of the lips requires protection as well. Look for a lip balm that has an SPF rating and wear it when you go outdoors. Sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB rays are also important and will help reduce the increased risk of developing cataracts caused by exposure to the sun.

When outdoors, wear protective clothing made of lightweight, tightly-woven fabrics and a hat—preferably one with a wide brim. Whenever possible, choose a shady spot. If natural shade isn’t available, create some with an umbrella.

Other protective measures you can take include:

  • Avoid sunbathing and tanning salons.
  • Perform a skin self-exam every month to check for signs of skin cancer. If you see anything that looks unusual, consult your doctor.
  • Some medications make you especially sensitive to the sun. If you take any medicines, ask your pharmacist if you need to take special precautions.
  • Remember, what is important for adults is critical for children, whose skin is much more delicate. In fact, children under one year old should never be exposed to direct sunlight. Older children should always wear a sunscreen, hat, and protective clothing.