Sun Safety

Most of us are aware that the sun can be very damaging to our skin. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can kill skin cells or affect the genetic (DNA) make up of these cells. The cells that have damaged DNA can often repair themselves. Sometimes these skin cells cannot repair the damage that ultraviolet light has had on their DNA. This can then cause these cells to grow abnormally and can result in skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. 60-70% of skin cancers are considered preventable by making some simple lifestyle decisions.

The best way to protect ourselves from getting skin cancer is to avoid exposure to UV light. This can be done a number of ways:

Reduce exposure to the sun during peak periods of sun intensity. The sun’s intensity is the highest between 10:00am and 4:00pm. It doesn’t matter if it is sunny or not as 80% of the sun’s UV light is able to penetrate clouds.

If you have to be outside during these peak periods, cover up. Wear long sleeved shirts and pants. A wide brimmed hat should also be worn to shade your ears, neck and face from direct sunlight. Sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays should also be worn to protect the eyes from the UV light as well. They should wrap around the eyes so that light can not enter from the gap on the side of the glasses.

Wear sunscreen on all areas of your skin that are not covered by clothing. Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or greater. Make sure the sunscreen says it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Do not forget to protect your lips as well, look for a sun block lip balm or a lip balm that has a SPF of 15 or greater.

Choosing a good sunscreen is very important. You should determine what your skin type is, what activities you will be doing while wearing it, how long you will be in the sun, if you have oily or dry skin, etc. Ask your pharmacist to help you pick out the right sunscreen for you. Remember to tell the pharmacist if you are allergic to anything or if you are taking any medications as some medicines can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Always use a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or more. Again, your pharmacist can help you select the right product for you.

When using a sunscreen, it is important to use it properly. The sunscreen must be applied liberally to the skin (be careful around your eyes) about 30 minutes BEFORE sun exposure. Most people do not use enough sunscreen when applying it to their skin. Most sunscreens will bind to the skin before they become active, that is why it should be applied before sun exposure. Use a waterproof sunscreen when swimming or when significant perspiration is expected. Remember to re-apply the sunscreen after coming out of the water.

If you have any other questions about sun safety or sunscreens, ask your Apple Drugs pharmacist.

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