With hot temperatures settling across southeastern Manitoba, residents spending time outdoors are being reminded to take precautions to protect their skin from harmful sun exposure.
Sunscreen daily
Holly Soderman, esthetician at Ellvi Studio in Niverville, says one of the most important habits people can adopt is wearing sunscreen daily — even on days that don’t feel especially hot or sunny.
“Sun exposure is cumulative,” she says.
“Even if it’s not like a hot and sunny day, it’s so important.”
Soderman recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to help protect against harmful ultraviolet rays.
However, she says many people make the mistake of applying sunscreen only once before heading outside.
“You have to reapply to get the proper coverage. Reapplication every two hours will keep the SPF factor,” Soderman says.
Protecting your skin
In addition to sunscreen, Soderman says sun-protective clothing has become increasingly popular.
Specially designed UV clothing helps shield frequently exposed areas, such as the neck and arms.
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For hard-to-reach or easily missed areas — especially on children — Soderman suggests trying powder sunscreen products.
“They go on with a brush and are helpful for areas like your hair part, ears and spots that are hard to put lotion on.”
UV ray risks
Avoiding prolonged exposure during peak UV hours can also reduce the risk of sun damage.
Soderman explains that the strongest ultraviolet exposure typically occurs between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
“That’s when the sun, UVA and UVB are the highest.”
UVA rays, she says, are primarily responsible for skin aging and damage to collagen and skin structure.
Unlike UVB rays, UVA rays can penetrate through windows.
“People think, ‘Oh, I’m just inside today. I don’t need to wear my sunscreen,’ but UVA actually comes inside,” she says.
UVB rays, meanwhile, are the type most responsible for causing sunburns.
As temperatures remain high and outdoor activities increase, Soderman says taking simple preventive steps can help reduce the risk of both short-term sunburn and long-term skin damage.
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