The basics of protecting yourself from the sun

After a long winter, it's always tempting to cast aside your coat and bask in the sun. Although sunlight may soothe the soul, its ultraviolet rays (UV) can damage your skin and put you at risk for developing skin cancer. Here's some advice to help protect your skin against wrinkles and potentially worse.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are grouped into three categories – A, B and C – according to wavelength. Among the three:

UVC rays
Have the shortest wavelength and almost don't reach the earth.

• They are very dangerous but are mostly filtered out by the ozone layer.

The rays we need to guard against most are UVA and UVB, as they penetrate our atmosphere to the greatest extent.

UVA rays
UVA radiation has the longest wavelength and is dangerous because these rays penetrate more deeply into the skin (dermis) causing damage to collagen and cells.

• UVA rays cause tanning, which in turn result in premature aging and wrinkling of the skin.

UVB rays
Have a shorter wavelength than UVA rays, but are more powerful and most intense during the summer months.

• They cause the most damage and are primarily responsible for sunburns. What's more, they can also damage your eyes.

Research has proven that repeated exposure to both UVA and UVB rays can potentially lead to skin cancer, the rates of which have been on the rise in recent years.

Without protection, you can only worship the sun for a short period of time before skin begins to burn even though you may not be able to see it with the naked eye.

According to the Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) measures the amount of UVB absorption provided by a sunscreen, as there is no method of reporting the UVA absorption.

• That means if you use sunscreen with an SPF of 30, for example, it will take 30 times as long for skin exposed to the sun to burn.
• What's more to determine if a sunscreen product will help protect against UVA and UVB radiation, check the label for the words "broad-spectrum".

Keep in mind that how long it takes to burn depends on many factors including: your skin tone, time of day, geographic location and weather conditions.

To ensure you receive the best protection possible, apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors and allow it dry thoroughly before you put on your clothes.

• Be sure to apply plenty to your nose, cheeks, ears, neckline and shoulders. Apply lip balm that contains SPF as well.
• Use creams for normal skin and gels if you have sensitive skin or an allergy to the sun.

Reapply sunscreen immediately after swimming, showering or drying off – and even when using so-called waterproof sunscreens.

• Even if you're not moving around, sweating can remove the protective layer of sunscreen from your skin.
• Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours if you're outside, and more often if you're active.

There are several things you can do to help shield your skin from sun damage.

• Drink lots of fluid, especially water, to keep your skin from drying out.
• Introduce your skin to the sun slowly – it's best to begin in spring.
• Opt for the shade (or go indoors) during the hottest parts of the day.
• Use sunscreen even on cloudy summer days – clouds may fool you into believing you're not getting burned, but ultraviolet rays still pass through.
• Wear lip balm with built-in sun protection.
• Protect children with sunglasses and a sunhat.
• Wear clothing made from natural fibres – ultraviolet rays can penetrate synthetic fabrics, although some of the newer hi-tech materials are much better at blocking UV rays than they used to be.
• The closer you get to the equator, the higher the SPF you need. The same applies to altitudes: the sun's rays become stronger in the thinner air.
• Reflective surfaces (such as water and snow) also produce intense radiation. If you're swimming or skiing, ptotect your skin!
• Use sunscreen daily, twelve months of the year. While it may not seem necessary in winter, the sun can still damage your skin. Moreover, when you make applying sunscreen each morning a habit (like brushing your teeth), then it becomes a part of your routine.

Although they may sound appealing, keep in mind that things as avocado, sesame oil and lemon juice do not provide much protection, if at all. Generally, "natural" sunscreens are inadequate for children or adults with sensitive skin.

If you have any questions about sunscreens and their use, speak to your pharmacist or healthcare provider who can provide you with further information.