With the birds chirping, the sun shining, and the breeze blowing, summertime is certainly underway! The summer sun and heat are a welcome change from our harsh Canadian winters, but too much of a good thing isn’t healthy for anyone.

Although it’s tempting to get caught up in the magic of summer and run for the beach as soon as you can, remember to take a moment to care for your skin and keep up that healthy glow, year-round. Along with that sweet summer sun comes harmful UV rays and an exponentially greater risk of developing skin cancer. Don’t worry! We’ve put together the information and a list of products you need to have fun in the sun without putting yourself or your family at risk.

 

How Sun Can Damage Your Skin

Although sunshine helps our skin to manufacture vitamin D, it comes with a downside. The skin’s outer layer contains melanin, a pigment that protects skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. However, when this ultraviolet light is too strong and you aren’t using ample protection, it can burn the skin and reduce its elasticity, leading to premature wrinkles and aging. When you’ve had too much exposure to sunlight, the UV rays can penetrate the outer layers of your skin and hit deeper layers, causing damage or even killing skin cells.

Ultraviolet rays are broken down into two categories: UVA and UVB. Each type affects the skin differently, and it’s important to understand their differences in order to properly protect yourself.

UVA rays, aka “the aging rays,” deeply penetrate the skin and cause damage to collagen cells. This damage can lead to:

  • Lines and wrinkles
  • Pigmentation issues
  • Loss of skin elasticity

UVA rays aren’t affected by day-to-day weather conditions, meaning that they’re equally as harmful regardless of the season. These rays are present year-round and can pass easily through clouds and glass, leaving you vulnerable to their harmful effects.

UVB rays, aka “the burning rays,” affect the skin’s outer layer and are responsible for sunburns. They also play a key element in the development of skin cancer. Unlike UVA rays, UVB rays are impacted by the weather, season, and time of day. The effects of UVB rays tend to be strongest between April and October in the northern hemisphere between 10 am and 4 pm, and they’re more intense at higher altitudes.

Frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays over the years is the leading cause of skin cancer, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Continued sun exposure causes mainly basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer, while episodes of severe blistering sunburns in youth can cause melanoma later in life. Not only can UV rays affect your dermal health, but UV ray exposure can also lead to cataracts, cancer of the eyelids, and macular degeneration – so be sure to sport those protective sunglasses on your next day trip!

How to Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage

Everybody should protect themselves from the harmful effects of sun damage. This is especially true for those who don’t have much melanin and are more prone to burns. Protection can be achieved by covering sensitive areas with light clothing, wearing sunblock, limiting total exposure time, and avoiding the sun during peak hours – typically 10 am to 2 pm.

At Brampton Cosmetic Surgery Center & Medical Spa we offer a range of products designed to protect you from the dangers of ultraviolet rays and help keep your radiant, glowing skin healthy and beautiful:

ZO Sunscreen + Powder SPF 40 is powered by Triple-Spectrum Protection® and exclusive ZO® antioxidant technology to deliver superior skin defense with a hint of advanced colour pigments. At Brampton Cosmetic we offer light, medium, and deep shades, available at our clinic.

EltaMD’s medical-grade sunscreens provide broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. They’re developed using transparent zinc oxide – a natural mineral compound – and are fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic to ensure total protection without the use of harmful chemicals.

Sunforgettable is a brush-on sunscreen that’s powerful, all-mineral, and totally invisible to give you complete protection. Convenient to apply, with SPF 50 it can be used on its own or under makeup, providing broad-spectrum defense and boasting a protection grade (PA) rating of PA++++. The brush is made with antimicrobial bristles, and the formula is both hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.

AlumierMD skincare products hinge on the idea that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and that each person’s skin profile is unique. They’ve created a diverse range of products to target your skin’s underlying physiology, type, and condition, making sure to incorporate the highest quality ingredients to protect your skin from damage and illuminate your natural radiance.

Limited Time Sunscreen Promotion

For the rest of the month of July, enjoy 25% off all sunscreen products at Brampton Cosmetic. Check in on our promotions page often for new deals and discounts.

Shop Sunscreen

Browse more of our sunscreen skincare products, but don’t forget: these are medical-grade skincare products, and it’s best to consult with our team prior to purchasing, especially if you haven’t used these products before. Once you’re armed with the protection you need you can get ready for some safe, healthy fun in the sun!

About Dr. Robert Sleightholm

Dr. Robert Sleightholm is one of the founders of the Brampton Cosmetic Surgery Center and Medical Spa. He is the clinic’s Director of Surgery and, since its opening in 1994, has safely and successfully completed more than 200 cosmetic surgery procedures each year. An Ontario plastic surgery veteran, he is a board-certified Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC).

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