Dossier Dermato

Q : What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock? Is one better than the other?

A : Beware of the term "sunblock": No product is able to completely "block" UV rays from penetrating the skin.

Sunscreen agents either absorb, reflect or scatter UV light. Most lotions and oils work by forming a surface layer of sunscreen ingredients on the skin, which absorb the sun’s UV rays before they can penetrate the skin.

To select the most effective protection, pick a broad-spectrum (UVA-UVB) sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15, depending on your skin type.

Q : What is the minimum SPF I should use?

A : The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) recommends a minimum SPF of 15, but the best SPF for you depends on your skin type and activities.

For example, if you have fair skin and enjoy outdoor sports, you may want to look to a minimum SPF of 30 that should be reapplied every 2 hours, or after coming out of a swimming pool or intense activity.

To find out more about your skin and your ideal SPF, click here to fill out the online Suncare profile.

To find out more about the needs for different skin types, click here to view the Fitzpatrick scale.

Q : Do I really need sunscreen if I’m just walking to work?

A : Yes. Sunscreen needs to become a daily habit. Incidental sun exposure — meaning the kind of exposure received unintentionally during everyday activities — can really add up to result in skin damage.

Be sure to apply sunscreen or a physical block (ie sun protective clothing) to all exposed skin before you leave the house every day.

Q : I am planning a beach vacation this summer. Should I bring a special sunscreen, or can I just use the same sunscreen I use every day?

A : Yes, you need to be more vigilant about your skin during beach holidays, and this is especially true if you have had minimal sun exposure up until your vacation.

While you’re on vacation, it is important to use a high-SPF sunscreen to adequately protect your skin.

It is also important to plan ahead and bring enough sunscreen for your trip. For an average-sized person wearing a bathing suit, it takes roughly 3 mL of sunscreen for your face and 30 mL for the body to cover all exposed areas with a thick layer to get the stated SPF. This can sometimes work out to 1/4 — 1/3 of a bottle per application.

Q : I have read that sunscreen needs to be reapplied frequently, but how often do I really need to reapply?

A : The general rule of thumb is to apply sunscreen every two hours. However, this frequency also depends on your activities: if you are swimming or playing a sport that results in a lot of sweating or friction, you will need to reapply even more frequently.

Q : What is the difference between sweatproof, waterproof and water-resistant sunscreen? Does it mean I don’t need to reapply that kind of sunscreen as often, even after swimming?

A : A sweatproof sunscreen formula bonds to the skin on contact, allowing fitness enthusiasts to enjoy outdoor activities with the confidence that the sunscreen will not leave a greasy residue to affect their grip or run into their eyes and cause stinging. "Water-resistant" indicates that a product maintains its degree of sunburn protection after 40 minutes of water exposure, and waterproof indicates that the degree of sunburn protection is maintained after 80 minutes of water exposure.

However, regardless of the type of product, you still need to reapply at least every two hours, and always immediately after swimming, water exposure and excessive perspiration.

Q : I don’t like wearing sunscreen on my face or under makeup. Is a foundation with SPF sufficient?

A : The answer depends on your activities. For example, if you are spending the majority of the day indoors with very brief, intermittent sun exposure, then a foundation or moisturizing lotion with a minimum of SPF 15 should be sufficient so long as it was applied thoroughly.

For better protection, look for a sunscreen product that is oil-free and designed specifically for the face. These products tend to be lighter and feel more comfortable under makeup.

Q : If I put on a moisturizing cream with SPF in the morning before going to work, am I protected enough to eat my lunch outside under the sun at noon?

A : The general rule of thumb is to reapply sunscreen every two hours. If you don’t want to reapply sunscreen over your makeup but still want to enjoy an outdoor lunch, simply pick a table in the shade so your skin isn’t exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period.

Q : I am pregnant. Does this mean I can’t go out in the sun? After I get my brown spots, melasma (mask of pregnancy), removed, can I go back to tanning?

A : Pregnant women can still enjoy the outdoors, but it is imperative to select the appropriate level of sun protection. Sometimes pregnant women or women using a birth control pill can develop melasma, where some areas of skin will turn brown, in a patchy distribution, with the smallest amount of sun exposure.

Melasma is difficult to treat because it is formed in the upper and lower parts of the skin, and recurs with sun exposure. It can be removed with lasers, and some bleaching creams, but those areas of skin affected always remain more sensitive to sun, so constant use of sunscreens and physical blockers such as hats are key.

Q : My daughter has red hair and very fair skin, and I worry about her spending too much time in the sun. However, she will be going to an overnight camp in July. What can I do to ensure she is protected?

A : Initially, check the camp’s policy with regards to sun protection. Many camps are recognizing the importance of ensuring campers protect themselves from the sun.

As well, it is important to talk to your daughter about the importance of applying sunscreen every morning and regularly throughout the day, and make sure you provide her with ample bottles of sunscreen.

Finally, be sure to pack ample sun protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and pants, hats and sunglasses to ensure she has a maximum of easy options for sun protection.

Spray-on sunscreens are also a good option, because they are easy for kids and supervisors to use, and can even be fun for kids to apply.

Q : My children hate wearing sunscreen. How can I encourage them to use it?

A : Set a good example by ensuring all members of the family — especially parents — use sunscreen regularly themselves. Children often look to adults as a guide for how to behave, so be sure your own sun safety habits are in check.

Allow your children to take advantage of physical forms of sun protection, including long-sleeved shirts and pants, hats and sunglasses.

Finally, take advantage of sprays and child-specific brands of sunscreen, which tend to be lighter and less heavy on a child’s skin. They may be less reluctant to use products that don’t feel greasy or heavy.

Q : Can sunscreen irritate a child’s eyes?

A : It is always better to avoid putting sunscreen on the eyelids, and to provide your children with quality sunglasses that offer protection from UVA and UVB rays or sun goggles instead.

When selecting a sunscreen, check the product label to look for sunscreen developed for sensitive skin. As well, some sunscreens made for children contain less fragrance and are therefore less irritating.

Lastly, sunscreens that are sweatproof tend not to run into eyes with sweating or swimming.

Q : I find that sunscreen always irritates my skin. What can I do?

A : Pick a sunscreen designed especially for sensitive skin – check the product label ("oil free", "fragrance free" and “non-comedogenic” – which does not clog pores are terms to look for).

As well, you can look to protective clothing, like long-sleeved shirts and pants, hats and sunglasses.

Q : I have oily skin and sunscreen tends to make it break out. What product should I use?

A : The good news for people with oily skin is that sunscreen should no longer be considered as yet another cause of breakouts. Many companies have developed formulations designed specifically for people with this concern.

Pick a product that is oil-free and designed specifically for faces.

Q : I am Afro-Canadian, with very dark skin. Do I still need to worry about sun protection?

A : Daily sun protection needs to be a regular habit for all skin types. What’s more, some Afro-Canadians have problems with blotchy pigmentation, and sunscreen is important during its treatment to even out the complexion.

To find out more about your skin and your ideal SPF, click here to fill out your online Suncare Profile.

Q : What are your top sunscreen application tips and how much sunscreen is really enough? I have heard everything from a shot glass to three tablespoons, but do I need as much as my husband, who is much larger than I am? How much do my kids need?

A : The SPF factor of a particular sunscreen product is determined in a laboratory where the thickness of the layer of sunscreen used is 2 mg/cm2. This is hard to determine at the beach; the best way to think of it is that if you put 1/4 — 1/3 teaspoon of lotion on the face, you would put twice that amount on each arm, and four times that amount on each leg, the front of the torso, and the back of the torso respectively.

Do not forget to put lotion on the ears, back of the neck, back of the shoulders, and back of the legs, which are the areas most often missed. As well, for those with thinning hair, the scalp needs to be protected too

Q : What are the best ways to help kids and teenagers understand the importance of sun protection?

A : The best thing is to help them form good sun protection habits early on. Set a good example by ensuring all members of the family — especially parents — use sunscreen regularly themselves. Children often look to adults as a guide for how to behave, so be sure your own sun safety habits are in check.

Q : Am I safe to take my newborn baby in the sun? Is there a sunscreen that’s safe for babies?

A : Babies and infants should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Using sunscreen will give you a false sense of security as to how much sun your infant can tolerate.

Take extra precautions with a sunscreen formulated specifically for babies, as well as protective clothing.

Q : Do we absolutely need to use a baby- or child-specific product on kids? Why?

A : Sunscreen formulas for babies and kids tend to take in consideration the special sun protection needs of different age groups, including the delicate skin of babies and water-resistant formulas for older kids. It’s always the best idea to use products developed for the needs of different types of skin.

Q : Is it true that people who live in climates that don’t have year-round sunshine are more susceptible to sun damage?

A : Yes, people who live in climates with intermittent sun exposure — meaning most Canadians — need to take special precautions when the time comes to head outdoors.

For example, people who live in climates with intermittent sun exposure may feel as though they need to take advantage of the few sunny, warm days they have, so they choose to spend a long day at the beach or on the tennis court.

The most important thing is to be reasonable and follow recommended sun protection precautions when enjoying the great outdoors: Sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, sun-protective clothing, and limited exposure to direct sunlight when possible.

Q : We sometimes hear that sunscreen could cause cancer. Is this true?

A : Sunscreen is not a carcinogen, but UV rays are.

Older studies showed that using sunscreens with a low SPF allowed you to stay out longer in the sun without burning. Because people felt safer with their sunscreen, they exposed themselves much more to the sun, and often for too long. Sunscreen at that time only protected against UVB rays. You should also know that low SPF sunscreen does not block 100% of UV rays and the over-exposure to the sun still allowed for the carcinogenic effect of UV rays on the skin. The UVA rays’ penetration induces DNA damage and also increases the risks of cancer. Therefore, it is not the sunscreen that causes cancer, but rather prolonged exposure to the sun.

Q : I am so confused by all of the different ingredients in different brands of sunscreen. What do I really need to look for on the label?

A : The following items:

• Broad spectrum protection against UVA/UVB
• Minimum SPF 15

Q : Do I need sunscreen in the winter, when it’s cold?

A : The prevalence of UV rays has nothing to do with the temperature, and UV rays are present year-round.

What’s more, new snow can reflect up to 80 percent of ultraviolet rays, compounding their effect on the skin and eyes, so it is important to stay vigilant even when it may seem unnecessary.

Sunscreen needs to be a daily habit year-round.

Q : Do I need sunscreen if I am wearing a T-shirt? Can I wear a hat instead of sunscreen?

A : Any exposed skin needs to be protected by a sunscreen of at least SPF 15.

When it comes to physical blocks, like clothing, the protection delivered by a fabric depends on its weave. Loose weaves, like linen, are less protective, and the same goes for light cottons and wools. Fabrics that are see-through or wet also provide minimal protection.

When selecting a fabric, look for a weave that is tight enough that no light passes through. Black fabrics tend to be the most protective.

Children should be encouraged to wear the long sleeved rash guards, and long shorts, which are made of nylon, or neoprene-like fabrics, which protect well against the sun. They are also very popular with kids.

There are also new fabrics out that have a specific SPF label on them. Most are made in Australia, but are available here in Canada.

Q : When I play sports outside during the summer, I find that sweat makes my sunscreen run into my eyes. Is there something else I can use?

A : Your best options are oil-free or sweatproof sunscreen formulas, as well as physical blocks, like clothing, hats and sunglasses.

Q : Do I need to protect my skin more if I have surgery or cosmetic procedures done?

A : Sunscreen needs to be a daily habit for everyone.

The sun is a leading cause of photoaging (meaning wrinkles, brown spots, and more), so if you are spending the money to look younger, it makes sense to protect against what makes you look older.

As well, it is important to know that some cosmetic procedures can make the skin more susceptible to the sun immediately after treatment, such as peels or lasers. Avoid direct sunlight immediately after these types of procedures.

Q : Does SPF 60 mean I can spend all day in the sun without reapplication?

A : Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, regardless of the SPF.

Q : What does SPF mean?

A : SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.

SPF tells you the difference in time it takes to burn with sunscreen on compared to without sunscreen on, e.g. an SPF of 15 means it will take 15 times longer to burn with sunscreen on than without. However, SPF only measures protection against UVB rays. UVA rays are also very important in sun damage, but there is not yet a standardized way of measuring proper protection against UVA rays.