Almost everyone loves the sun - and with good reason. The sun’s rays directly affect the brain, elevating the mood and making us feel more energetic.

For many people, summer would not be complete without spending time out in the sunshine - and, for many, spending time in the sun is synonymous with getting a tan.

The Myth of the Safe Tan
Although you may have heard otherwise, the only “safe” tan is that which comes from a bottle. Acquiring a “base tan” does not prevent the sun from damaging the skin. While sun salons often promote their tans as protective in some way, this simply isn’t true. A true tan - however it is derived - indicates that the skin is damaged and trying to protect itself. Although a light tan will, to a small degree, prevent the skin from further sunburn, it will not protect it from wrinkling or developing cancer. Many people with malignant melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer, believed that a base tan would somehow protect them from sun damage.

The Dark Side of the Sun
Although sunshine is essential to life, daily exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays over a lifetime is a major cause of skin damage including discolouration, wrinkling and skin cancer. (Most of the skin changes attributed to aging are directly due to the influence of the sun.)

Every year in Canada, more than 75,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer. While most skin cancers are treatable, leaving little or no scarring, others are disfiguring or deadly. It makes sense to play it safe.

Time spent outside in the sun is not harmful when the right precautions are taken. 

Protecting Your Eyes
UV rays can cause or accelerate the progression of several diseases of the eye or its supporting structures. These include cataracts and macular degeneration - a major cause of vision loss in people over age 55. The harmful effects of UV absorption by the eye are cumulative over a lifetime: the damage gradually builds up and is not reversible.

Sunglasses that block UV rays can help prevent sun-induced damage to the eyes. A good pair of sunglasses will also reduce glare, improve contrast and make you feel more comfortable when out in bright sunlight.

Special Care for Lips
The thin skin of the lips is especially susceptible to sunburn. To best protect your lips from UV light, use a specially formulated lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. London Drugs Lip Block will help keep your lips well-moisturized and sunburn-free.

The Perfect Tan
If you love the healthy “outdoors” look of a light suntan, consider faking it. Today’s sunless tanning lotions are far better formulated than those of yesteryear and, when applied correctly, appear natural and streak-free.

Before you use a sunless tan product, be sure to exfoliate dry areas of skin (such as the knees, the outer ankle bone and elbows), and moisturize well. You should begin this process two or three days prior to application. Sunless tanners contain a substance known as DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which produces the brown colour on contact with the amino acids in the skin’s outer layer. Where the skin is thick and dry, the DHA will develop increased colour, giving a patchy look.

Apply the sunless tanning product quickly and evenly. Wash your hands well after application, particularly the cuticles and under the nails, where lotion may become trapped.

New Instant Bronze® sunless tanner from Neutrogena comes in streak-free lotion or foam, and provides the additional benefit of instant colour. Available in three natural tones from London Drugs.

SPF Numbers - What They Mean
All sunscreens that you see on the shelves at London Drugs carry an SPF number. This stands for “Sun Protection Factor.” It represents the degree of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays and sunburn.

The SPF number indicates how much longer you can stay in the sun when you wear the sunscreen, than if you were to wear no sunscreen at all. For example, if you normally burn after 10 minutes in the sun, the correct application of a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 should allow you to stay in the sun for 150 minutes (10 x 15), without burning.

What About UVA Rays?
The SPF number does not refer to a
sunscreen’s ability to protect you from UVA rays. (See Understanding the Sun’s Rays on the following page.) Always look for the words “broad spectrum” or “UVA and UVB protection” on the sunscreen bottle and/or packaging. Sunscreens marked this way will provide you with improved protection against sun damage.

The following ingredients are common UV blockers in sunscreens:

• UVB blockers: octyl methoxycinnamate, benzophenone, padimate O homosalate, octyl salicylate, phenylbenzimidazole,
  sulfonic acid.
• UVA blockers: oxybenzone,  avobenzone (Parsol 1789).
• Physical blockers (chemical-free sunscreens):
  titanium dioxide, zinc oxide. (These reflect UVB and UVA rays and can be safely used by people allergic to chemical sunscreens.)

Understanding the Sun's Rays
Three types of UV ray reach the Earth’s surface: UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin, hastening aging and increasing the risk for skin cancer. UVA light also suppresses the immune system, increasing the risk for many other cancers. (The appearance of a cold sore after sun exposure is due to immune suppression.) Although tanning parlours often advertise UVA light as being safe, it really isn’t.

UVB rays are shorter but stronger than UVA rays. They do not penetrate the skin as deeply as UVA rays, but they are the primary cause of sunburn, wrinkles and skin cancer. Unlike UVA rays, which are consistent all year round, UVB rays are more intense during the summer months and at higher altitudes.

UVC rays are the strongest and most dangerous of the sun’s rays. Fortunately, most UVC radiation is filtered out by the Earth’s ozone layer.

The Sun and Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers and is primarily due to over exposure to UV rays from the sun. Most skin cancers occur on areas of the body that have been repeatedly exposed to the sun - the face, top of the ears, neck and hands. People with fair skin are more vulnerable because their skin contains very little protective pigment.

There are three types of skin cancer:

• Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs on sun-exposed areas and starts as an elevated translucent, blister-like bump.
• Squamous cell carcinoma is most common on areas of skin that have been heavily damaged by the sun. It forms a flattish, scaly bump that feels slightly rough. Actinic keratoses - flattish wart-like lesions - sometimes develop into this type of skin cancer and should be periodically viewed by a dermatologist.
• Melanoma is the least common but most serious form of skin cancer. It usually starts as a flat brown spot that resembles a freckle. The edges are irregular and there are often two or more grey-red and brown colours within the spot.

If you think you may have skin cancer, be sure to see a health professional immediately. Although most unusual skin lesions are not cancers, they should be investigated, “just in case.”

Sun Safety 101
Observing the following precautions will help prevent sunburn and dehydration:

• Reduce sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Seek shade or create your own shade with a sun umbrella.
• Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs (but remember that light summer clothing provides an SPF of only 2 to 6).
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and wrap-around sunglasses with broad-spectrum UV protection.
• Use a sunscreen that is appropriate for your particular activity. For example, wear waterproof sunscreen if you plan to go in the water.
• Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to going out in the sun.
• Reapply your sunscreen often, especially after swimming or other water activity.
• Remember that artificial tanning lotions usually do not contain sunscreens.
• Keep well-hydrated by carrying a water- bottle with you at all times.

Is the Sun Good For Babies?
No one would dispute that being outside in the warmer months is good for a baby. However, precautions should always be taken to ensure that the baby’s skin is not exposed to the sun. The sensitive skin of a baby will burn faster and more seriously than that of an adult.

Sunscreens are not recommended for babies under six months of age, since a young baby may ingest the sunscreen while sucking or licking the skin, or rub it into the eyes. Young babies should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Position your baby in the shade or under a tree, umbrella, or the stroller canopy. Always dress your baby in a sunhat (with the peak facing forwards) and light clothing that covers the skin completely. Make sure that your little one stays fully hydrated.

Back to Top