Sun and Skin Health

Ask the Pharmacist

Stay safe while having fun in the sun!

By Robert Wojtas, B.Sc., B.Sc.Pharm, RPh

What’s more appealing than a beautiful sunny day?  The shining sun invites us to the great outdoors to participate in a wide variety of activities in our lovely community of James Bay, and indeed the entire greater Victoria area.  The sun is what makes life on Earth possible, and is important to maintain good health.  Not only does the sun make our skin feel warm, but it also helps the body make vitamin D, which is important for strong, healthy bones.  It has also been shown that your mood can be negatively affected if you don’t get enough exposure to sunlight in the winter time.  However, too much sun exposure can lead to sunburn and potentially skin cancer.

The sun’s rays, also called ultraviolet or UV rays, are separated into 3 types: UVA makes up most of the natural light and is responsible for immediate tanning as well as aging and wrinkling of the skin; UVB rays are almost 1000 times stronger and cause tanning, sunburns, and most skin cancers; UVC rays are the strongest, but are filtered out by the ozone layer.  Although we are exposed to sun rays all year round, they are most intense during spring and summer months, usually from April to August between 11am and 4pm. The sun reaches its peak at around noon to 1pm. You should try to stay out of the sun during this time.  Even on cloudy days, much of the UV rays can penetrate to the surface, so care should be taken to limit overexposure, especially since we tend to wear less clothing like shorts and bathing suits and expose more skin during this time of the year.

Sun damage can vary from immediate short term sunburns, to longer term damage like premature skin aging, eye damage (from reflection from water, sand, or snow), and a weaker immune system.  Sun damage builds up over time with each exposure to the sun. The skin can repair superficial damage like the redness and soreness of sunburn, but the underlying damage remains. It may take 10 to 30 years for skin cancer to develop.

There is a lot one can do in addition to wearing sunscreen to lower the risk of skin damage, aging, and cancer.   Start by limiting your time in the sun and avoid heavy sun exposure between the hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; limit time spent in areas where sun rays can be reflected; seek shaded areas outdoors; and check the UV Index before going out.  In addition, cover yourself: wear a wide-brimmed hat preferably made from breathable fabric for comfort; wear protective sunglasses; and wear a light-coloured, long-sleeved shirt and long pants.

Sun protection products include sunscreens and sunblocks.  Sunscreens contain chemicals that absorb the UV rays and prevent them from going into the skin.  Choose ones that protect against both UVA and UVB radiation.  Sunblocks contain ingredients that create a barrier that reflects UV rays.  These cover the full spectrum of rays, are generally thicker and look less elegant than sunscreens. They appear white on the skin and may rub off easily or melt with the sun's heat.  Remember, sunscreen doesn’t completely protect you from all the damage caused by the sun.  It is not as effective at reducing your exposure to the sun’s rays as being in the shade or wearing protective clothing.

Speak to your pharmacist on how to choose and how to use sun protection properly this season.