Have fun in the sun, but be safe too

Whichever way you look at it, there is no way to have the best of both worlds when it comes to tanning. Whether in the sun or under the surreal light of the tanning beds, the human skin suffers when exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR.)

But let’s be honest. When the summer sun comes knocking on the window every morning inviting you out to play, a yes is implied. As with many other things, playing safe should come first.

The skin is the biggest organ — yes organ — in your body and the most exposed to the elements. Also most subjected to exposure to various substances during day to day life, application of beauty treatments, and of course, sun screens. Your skin has a complex role. It protects from physical injuries, heat, cold and it is the first line of defense during UV exposure.

Your skin absorbs everything you put on it so if you think of all the substances that you come in contact during the day, well, the skin takes the brunt of it.

As for UVR, there’s a lot of it and the skin needs only a little for health purposes, since appropriate UV exposure helps the skin make vitamin D, also called ‘the sunshine vitamin.’

According to The Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation, basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of cancer and affecting up to 60,000 Canadians per year, has but one major cause: chronic exposure to sunlight, which the WHO added to the list of most dangerous cancer-causing substances.

Melanoma, points the same source, is the most deadly type of skin cancer and the number one killer of women between 25 and 30 years of age. The chilling conclusions of a large study published in 2006 explain why: people who began indoor tanning before the age of 35 had a 75 percent higher risk of developing melanoma.

Yet we need sun lest so we have brittle bones, low immunity and bad moods to start with. What gives?

Your guide to healthy skin

Here are some tips to help you stay safe in the sun:

1. Avoid being out in the sun between 10am and 4pm, or any time the UV index is 3 or higher (Canadian Skin Cancer Foundation)

2. Cover your body with loose fitting clothing that will add extra protection and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Also, the area around your eyes is most sensitive so a good pair or sunglasses is a must.

3. When you’re in the sun use sunscreen lotions (SPF 30 or higher) but choose good-quality ones that do not have dangerous chemicals such as parabens, advises David Suzuki Foundation. Also, when choosing sunscreen, please remember that should you swim in the ocean, you are exposing marine life to the chemicals you have on your skin; corals are especially affected by some of the sunscreen components, according to the same source.

4. For a review of sunscreens, please visit the extensive database established by the Environmental Working Group (EWG.)

5. It goes without saying, the risk is highest for babies and young children, so make sure you head out to play early in the morning (they are up early anyway) or during late afternoon (good light for both skin and photographing) and always use light clothes and hats for extra protection.

Most of all, have fun; now you know you’re safe too!