Sun Safety

How to choose and apply sunscreen for optimal results:

• Choose a sunscreen that is broad spectrum and water-resistant with a Sun Protective Factor, or SPF, of 30 or higher.
• Always read and follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the bottle or tube.
• Apply enough sunscreen to leave a light film on your skin (e.g., one palm‐full for each arm and one for each leg).
• Apply sunscreen to ears, nose, tops of feet and backs of knees. back of neck and backs of legs.  Use sunscreen lip balm to protect your lips. 
• Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before you go outside.
• Apply sunscreen before other skin products. Re-apply sunscreen regularly, especially after sweating, swimming, or toweling.
• Make sure to use sunscreen even on cloudy, hazy, foggy and cold days.
• Sunscreen should also be used during the winter months on exposed areas of skin.
• Do not put sunscreen on babies less than 6 months of age.
• Always test for an allergic reaction when first using a sunscreen. Apply a small amount on the inside of your forearm for two or three days in a row. If the skin reacts or turns red, change sunscreens. 

The main cause of skin cancer is too much UV ray exposure. UV rays are invisible. The sun, tanning bed lamps and some workplace equipment produces UV rays.

Types of UV rays

Effects of UV rays

Too much exposure to UV rays from the sun and tanning beds causes more than just skin damage. Too much exposure to UV rays causes other effects such as:

• Blindness – damage to the retina and increased risk of cataracts
• Cold sore outbreaks
• Darkened freckles or more freckles
• More moles - causing increased risk of skin cancer
• Scars – surgery to remove skin cancer can leave large visible scars
• Skin cancer
• Sunburn – one blistering sunburn before age 18 doubles the risk of skin cancer later in life
• Sun spots – changes to skin colour over time; often light brown or black
• Wrinkles – weakened skin leading to wrinkled, leathery skin

UV ray exposure in childhood and adolescence greatly increases the chances of developing skin cancer later in life.

How you should change your activities for each level of UV Index

The higher the UV Index number is, the stronger the UV rays are and the greater the need to protect yourself.

What is it?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer.  The main cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, also known as UV rays. UV rays are invisible. The sun, tanning beds and some workplace equipment give off UV rays. 

Most skin cancers are preventable.

Who is at risk for skin cancer

If you have any of the following characteristics, you are at greater risk for skin cancer:

• Fair or freckly skin
• Red or blond hair and light eyes
• Sunburn easily
• More than 50 moles
• Had two or more blistering sunburns before age 18
• Had skin cancer in the past
• Family history of skin cancer
• Use medication that increases the sensitivity to UV; ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medication increases your sensitivity to UV

How to check for skin cancer

Check your skin every day. See your doctor right away if you notice:

• Abnormally dark or discoloured patches or spots
• Discoloured skin that appears suddenly or changes
• Sores that do not heal
• Bleeding, crusting or change in the colour, size or shape of a mole

Tanning

A tan is when melanin, a substance inside your skin, turns dark from exposure to UV rays. When your skin turns darker, it shows that damage has been done. UV from tanning beds has the same effect as UV from the sun.

Tanning increases the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging.

• Using a tanning bed will not offer protection against sunburns for a holiday in a sunny location.
• There is a direct link between the use of tanning beds and cancer.
• Excessive UV exposure can reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, possibly leading to a greater risk of infectious diseases.

Tanning Salon Rules

In May 2014, the Skin Cancer Prevention Act made it against the law to:

• Advertise tanning bed services to youth under the age of 18
• Sell tanning bed services to youth under the age of 18