The sun: friend or foe?
Protect yourself while enjoying the sun
The sun provides us with vitamin D, which boosts our energy and lightens our mood. We love to feel its warmth on our face and enjoy a sunny day with family and friends.
But the sun can also cause damage if we overdo it. Its harmful effects can cause skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in Canada, with over 80,000 cases diagnosed1each year.
In rare cases, overexposure to the sun can lead to eye problems, severe skin reactions linked to certain medications, or even induce immunosuppression, weakening the body’s defenses against viruses.
The most important thing to remember when going out in the sun is to use common sense, caution and... a few tricks!
To protect yourself from the sun
- Choose your exposure time wisely: the sun is not as strong before 11 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
- Choose a shaded area or use a parasol.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Wear sunglasses that have UVA and UVB protection.
- Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Don’t forget your lips!
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
- Protect your infant with a physical barrier (e.g. clothing, parasol).
- Ask about skin reactions linked to certain medications and sun exposure.
Your Brunet-affiliated pharmacist has a MaSanté advice sheet on sun protection. Feel free to ask for it.
More questions?
Talk to your pharmacist. After all, your health is all that matters
Other advice:
-
Sunscreen: what you may or may not know
There are several quality products on the market. Look for UVA and UVB protection.. If you have trouble deciding on which product to buy, ask your pharmacist.
