Summer has arrived! Camping, swimming, hiking, picnics, and numerous other activities that normally aren’t as attractive to everyone during the cold winter months, are now here for the taking. All of which are made that much more fun with the warm rays of the sun falling all around us.
So what are you waiting for?! You’ve traded in your long sleeve sweaters and snow pants for sleeveless shirts and shorts to keep cool during the hot summer days; and hopefully add a little colour to your skin to erase the pasty effects of the long cold winter months. But we also need to remember that while we’re shedding our clothes in summer celebration, we need to protect our skin from the sun too.
Just like we added layers on layers to keep the cold out only a few months ago, now we need to trade in the flannel long-underwear for creamy sun tan lotions and wide brimmed hats.
Why you ask?… remember that tanned skin is really damaged skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation; radiation that comes from our sun, and even from tanning beds.
The more we tan our skin, the more damage we are inflicting.
Really?… Tanning beds too? YES!
OMG-Facts.com says people who use a tanning bed prior to vacationing in hot countries to develop a base tan to protect themselves from UV rays are only adding more radiation to their skin.
“Your risk of melanoma more than doubles if you began using tanning beds before the age of 35. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends banning the use of tanning beds by children under the age of 18.”
http://www.omg-facts.com/view/facts/3647
Currently 32 States in the US have regulations for the use of tanning beds by minors including minimum age restrictions and parental consent.
For information on the use of tanning beds in Canada, visit https://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/radiation/ultraviolet/beds_lamps-lits_lampes-eng.php .
Protecting yourself from the sun can be done in a few single steps:
- Check the daily UV index – available from local radio and TV stations.
- Apply sunscreen before heading out and wear protective clothing which include wide brimmed hats and loose long sleeve shirts/pants.
- Limit the amount of time you’re going to be in the sun.
Visit https://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php for more great information.