A blast of summer weather has brought heat warnings and record-breaking temperatures to British Columbia.
Many people enjoy basking in the sunshine and doing outdoor activities so it's important to not only bring sun protection but make sure you’re applying it properly.
Dr. Monica Li from UBC’s Department of Dermatology has some suggestions on how to choose the correct sunscreen and also how to protect yourself against damage.
Use lots of sunscreen
A common mistake people make is that they do not use enough sunscreen, according to Li. People should use a shot glass amount of sunscreen to protect the entire body and face. A nickel-sized dollop is needed to cover the face.
Reapply
Sunscreen needs to be applied every two hours. If you’re sweating, swimming or changing clothes that can rub off sunscreen, you need to reapply sooner. People should also make sure they are applying sunscreen consistently whether it be a spray or cream.
Use broad-spectrum protection
Li explains how broad-spectrum protects people against both UVA and UVB light. Sunscreens should be at least 30 and used at least once every day year-round. Even on overcast days, our skin can be exposed to the sun.
Protective clothing
Instead of using sunscreen, people can use sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats or even wraparound sunglasses to add another layer of protection.
Li says up to 80 per cent of UV radiation can be reached on overcast days. Our skin can be exposed to double the radiation damage during winter as the sun reflects off snow.
