True or False: Seven Common Myths About Sunscreen

Summer season is in full swing, and the next few weeks are shaping up to be the hottest of the year: Here are seven common sunscreen beliefs, debunked so you can get the most out of the sun without burning, according to a compilation by ‘World News’.

• Also read: How to pay up to 6 times less for your cleaning and hygiene products at Dollarama

• Also read: Sunscreen: Protect yourself (more or less) from the sun’s rays

1-All sunscreens are the same

Two points should be considered when buying a cream: sun protection factors (SPF) and broad-spectrum protection, according to information from “Global News”.

Solar creams have a large spectrum of protection from ultraviolet rays (UVA) and long-lasting rays from sunlight (UVB), on the Web site of Santé Canada, which causes relapses of the sole and can augment the risk of cancer Skin.

The Canadian Dermatology Association recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, sunscreens with SPF 15 protect you from the sun’s rays by 93%, while those with SPF 30 protect you from the sun’s rays by 97%.

2- It is not necessary to put some when it is cloudy

This myth is one of the most common, although it is completely false. Sunil Kalia, MD, assistant professor in the department of dermatology and skin sciences at the University of British Columbia, says UV rays can penetrate clouds, mists, and haze to attack your skin.

“It is worse during the summer, because the ultraviolet rays are much stronger, even if the sky is covered with clouds,” he added to the English-language media.

It’s also important to wear sunscreen if you’re sitting near a window at home or driving in your car, esthetician Jill Dunn told Toronto Global News.

3-Sunscreen should be applied at least 20 minutes before exposing yourself to the sun

If applied correctly, sunscreen protects you from the sun’s rays as soon as it comes into contact with the skin. So you don’t have to worry about setting aside a few minutes before leaving the house.

4-Better is more than not enough?

According to Sunil Kalia, “a teaspoon” of sunscreen is enough for your face. As for the rest of your body, the amount of cream depends on the clothes worn and the parts of the body exposed to the sun.

Clothing, especially those made of polyester materials, provides excellent sun protection.

5- The cream should be applied every two hours

Although some bottles of sunscreen recommend using it every two hours, a dermatologist says activity level has a greater effect on the amount of sunscreen you put on your body.

According to him, the general rule of thumb is to reapply sunscreen if you go swimming or if you sweat a lot.

6-Cosmetic products offer the same protection as sunscreen products

More and more beauty products, be it moisturizers or foundation, claim on their labels to contain SPF.

While that’s a positive, Jill Dunn stresses that she won’t rely on these products for good sun protection.

The esthetician also warns that wearing an SPF 50 sunscreen and using an SPF 30 foundation does not result in an SPF of 80.

7-Age does not play a role in sun resistance

Several factors can make an individual more susceptible to sunburn, and age is one of them, according to Sunil Kalia.

“Younger adults tend to get more sunburns. We think it may be because they have thinner skin,” he explained.

The risk of melanoma or other skin cancers is higher in younger people. People 65 and older also have skin that is more at risk of sunburn, but they generally spend less time in the sun than younger people.