 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By Tracey Phillips, BScPhm, MBA
|
Road trips, days at the beach, camping, swimming, boating…all the fun summer outdoor activities require safety measures…and I’m not just talking about flashlights and life jackets. Canadians must exercise sun safety to ensure their families stay protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
|
 revention is always the best approach to managing health issues and the same goes for your skin. It is estimated that about 60% to 70% of skin cancer cases in Canada could be prevented if Canadians adopted healthier lifestyles with respect to effective sun safety precautions. The most effective method of reducing damage from ultraviolet radiation is to avoid extended exposure to the sun, but let’s face it, staying indoors during the summer is rarely an option.
Canadian adults spend an average of 148 minutes outdoors per day in the summer, according to the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidem-iology, and this number is higher among children. It only takes 20 minutes to begin seeing the effects of the sun on some people. Prepare you and your family to reduce the risks of sun damage.
Sunburn relief
You didn’t take all the necessary precautions and got sunburned. What do you do now? You can ease the pain of mild sunburns with cool baths or by applying wet compresses for 20 minutes, four to six times a day. Acetaminophen may also help lessen the pain. A moisturizer, or an after sun lotion that contains a moisturizer (choose one that is fragrance-free), can prevent dryness and peeling. |
|
Applying a Vitamin E lotion immediately after UV exposure may help to reduce redness. A lotion containing aloe vera, or the juice taken directly from the leaf will also help relieve discomfort when it is applied directly to the sunburn. H&L
|
For informative articles, podcasts, videos and discussions to keep you and your family sun safe this summer visit rexall.ca |
|
|
|
|
Send To Friend
Print
