HCD Blog

Getting active outside? Be Sun Safe, the CDA tells outdoor sporting enthusiasts

Sun Awareness Week is June 5-11. The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) wants sun safety to be top of mind for Canadians as they dig out their golf clubs, tune up their bicycles, and head for the water.

The message is timely as warm weather draws more people out of their homes and inspires them to get moving outside.

Many people don’t apply or reapply sunscreen as often as they should, according to the latest CDA Sun Awareness Survey, released in 2016, an online survey of nearly 1,200 Canadians aged 16 or older.

• One half of surveyed Canadians reapply sunscreen after swimming

• One third reapplies after towelling off

• One third applies every 2 hours

• One fifth never reapplies sunscreen

Warm weather often wakes up the outdoor and sport enthusiast in many of us. But while people are keen about tuning up their bike, making sure they have a helmet and reflective lights, they may not think of sun safety measures like protective clothing, eyewear, and sunscreen, says Dr. Jennifer Beecker, National Chair, Sun Awareness Working Group.

That’s why the CDA is sending a reminder to Canadians before they head outdoors, and to raise awareness about practicing sun safety.

That means doing things like scheduling an early morning tee-off time, an evening tennis match, and choosing a shaded trail for a bike ride or hike. Raising awareness to change behaviour.

Dr. Katie Beleznay provides us with her top 10 tips to protect your skin, not only this summer but year-round:

1. Whenever possible, avoid direct exposure to the sun between 10am - 3pm, when UVB is most intense.
2. If avoiding the sun is not possible, cover up with clothing as much as possible and wear a broad brimmed hat to protect your face.
3. Always use a high SPF (30+) broad spectrum sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection factor.
4. Use higher SPF at higher altitude.  A study at Vail ski resort published in the Journal of Academic Dermatology demonstrated SPF 85 sunscreen as significantly more protective than SPF 50.
5. Most people under apply sunscreen by half. So apply liberally and remember to reapply!
6. Spread sunscreen, don't rub it in. Best protection is achieved from a uniform layer visible on the surface of the skin.
7. Contrary to some common myths, chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens are both effective forms of protection. What is most important is to choose a photostable sunscreen that works for your skin.
8. Think about sun protection / sun damage at a cumulative level. Protecting from a sunburn today is important, but long-term protection from skin cancers and photoaging is critical (and can save your life!)
9. Using sunscreen on a daily basis can significantly reduce your risk of various forms of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma) and solar karatoses.
10. Sunscreen doesn't have to be thick, white and goopy to be effective. If you have struggled to find one you like to use daily, drop by our skin care boutique and we will find a formulation that works for you. We carry a wide selection, even sunscreen powders – great for reapplication throughout the day.