To Your Health

To Your Health: Sunscreen

Jul 5, 2022 | 1:13 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—It’s summer time and whether you slather, spray or stick sunscreen should be a staple of your outdoor routines.

“So sunscreen is used to help prevent the UV rays from the sun, from penetrating your skin and causing harmful conditions,” said Patrick Dinelle, Pharmacy Manager at Third Avenue Pharmacy

There are two types of sunscreen, Chemical that absorb UVA and UVB rays and breaks down over time and Physical sunblocks like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that deflect the sun’s rays away from your skin. A great way to see the effect of sunblock is through a UV camera lens. In areas where sunscreen is applied the skin can not be seen through the darker colour.

“If you have SPF 30 or SPF 50 or SPF 80, apply roughly every 2 hours because the sunscreen will get worn off throughout the day, especially if you’re swimming or sweating. Definitely reapply your sunscreen more often, potentially every hour or so,” says Dinelle.

Limiting sun exposure by covering up with hats, clothing and staying in shady areas will help to minimize your risk of sunburn and the long-term consequences that can come with it.