Oh sunny days! With the warm weather upon us, we are all spending more time outdoors which means we have to protect our skin from the sun.
Sunshine helps synthesis Vitamin D, but too much can damage the integrity of skin. UVA and UVB rays can damage vital skin proteins causing sunburns, premature wrinkles and skin cancer.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when practicing sun safety:
☀ find a sunscreen with an SPF 30 which blocks 97% of UVB rays. Higher SPF sunscreens have more harmful chemicals with marginal increase in sun protection
☀ choose a sunscreen that is broad spectrum meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays
☀ choose sunscreens with natural ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which act as physical barriers to harmful UV rays
☀ reapply sunscreen every 2 hours especially when participating in outdoor activities
☀ add extra protection by wearing skin protective clothing and a hat
Although we do recommend preventing sun damage before it occurs, our Naturopathic Doctors in Midtown Toronto do offer treatments that can help repair some skin concerns caused by sun exposure. Want to learn more? Book a free 15 minute consult with our Naturopathic Doctor in Midtown Toronto, Dr.Filza Swalah, ND who focuses on optimizing skin health from the inside out!
