As summer begins, many may find themselves increasingly exposed to the sun’s rays. Dr. Renee Beach, MD, a dermatologist, told CTV Your Morning Monday that without skin protection, this exposure can cause DNA damage, which can turn into skin cancer.
This article is a translation of CTV News.
According to Dr. Beach, although many people only wear sunscreen in the summer, skin protection should be done year-round.
“Even when we can’t see the sun…we still have UVA,” she explained. “These are the rays that pass through windows and windshields, these are the ones we sometimes see in snow reflections, for example.”
Dr. Beach explains that when there is direct exposure to the sun, people come into contact with UVA and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. To protect the skin, it is necessary to apply sunscreen.
“SPF stands for sun protection factor, and we often hear that SPF 30 is the right thing to put on skin,” she said. “The reason for this is that it equates to approximately 97 percent UVA, or UVB, protection from the sun’s rays during the day.”
Applying the right sunscreen and the right amount is another important factor in protecting the skin.
Dr. Beach recommends using about 1/4 teaspoon of sunscreen on the face. If sunscreen is being applied to the face and neck, about 1/2 teaspoon should be used
“When we look at the whole body, it looks more like a glass of wine shoot or 30 milliliters.
Dr. Beach said this amount should be reapplied more often depending on the activity. If an adult is outdoors doing activities like running, cycling, or swimming, she recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours.
But for kids, sunscreen use should be different, Dr. Beach added.
To make sure babies are not exposed to high levels of UV rays, she said, the best thing to do is to cover them up.
“They should wear a blunt hat, as well as splash-proof clothing, that is, long-sleeved clothing,” she said. “So it’s just a matter of banishing them [du soleil] During peak hours, which is usually between 11am and 3pm.
