The Facts About Sunscreen

By Reine Gammo
[Health & Your Life]
How to Apply it
Adults need the equivalent of a shot glass full of sunscreen to cover their whole body. Cover all the skin that’s exposed to the sun, including your ears, the back of your neck, and the tops of your feet. To get sufficient protection you must wear sunscreen with at least 30 SPF if you have normal skin. For people with more sensitive skin, and for ones that don’t tan easily, then a higher SPF of about 45 is better. Apply it 30 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply ever two hours and after swimming.

One more thing to check is the ingredients label: make sure your sunscreen includes zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – both act as barriers to keep UV light out best. Lastly, always check the expiration date; the formula becomes less effective as time goes on. Products with Avobenzone and Oxybenzone will prevent the deterioration of the formula.

UVA vs. UVB
UVA rays are the ones that penetrate your skin more deeply to cause aging issues such as fine lines and wrinkles, while UVB rays are the ones that can give you sunburn and are more responsible for cancer. Both forms are carcinogenic and increase the risks of skin cancer – that is why you need sunscreen that targets both.

Checklist:

- Remember to always wear sunscreen when exposed to the sun.

- You can never wear too much of it, so make sure you put on a thick layer (just make sure to blend it in).

- SPF 70+ doesn’t provide that much more protection than SPF 30; all that matters is the amount you use.

- Finally, always check the label for ingredients and the expiry date.

With information from the CDA. For a list of recognized sunscreens visit www.dermatology.ca

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