by Dr. Marita Schauch, ND, Tall Tree Integrated Health Centre –
With summer right around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about sun protection. Add that to the fact that May was Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s definitely the right time to talk about staying safe in the sun!
We require sunlight on our skin in order to produce Vitamin D, an essential element in maintaining healthy bones, muscles and teeth. Vitamin D also plays a big role in mood regulation, with many of us becoming deficient in the winter months. Exposing ourselves to natural light also boosts mood by increasing serotonin levels, helps with better sleep, and can help improve certain skin conditions.
But enjoying the sun responsibly is important in preventing skin cancer and sun damage. Here are some of my Sun Safe Tips!
Plan Your Time in the Sun. The sun’s rays hold a greater punch between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and you have a greater chance of getting hit with UV rays and causing sunburn, which could lead to skin cancer down the line. Plan to enjoy the sun in the morning or late afternoon to evening where you can still get all of the benefits with a lot less risk. It’s also a good idea to plan to have a shady place to “escape” the sun when you’ve had enough or when the sun is high in the sky, such as a covered area, umbrella, or tree.
Cover Up. Wearing a few light layers allows you the flexibility of being able to shield yourself from the sun’s rays whenever you desire. Opt for loose and breathable clothing such as cotton or linen to avoid getting too hot!
Drink Lots of Fluids. Make sure to stay hydrated as sun exposure draws fluids out of the body and they need to be replenished faster. Remember that alcohol, caffeine or soft drinks are not hydrating. Stick with water as much as you can!
Natural or Mineral-Based Sunscreens. I recommend sticking with natural sunscreens that rely on active ingredients that have low toxicity levels. Many sunscreens contain toxic ingredients which are absorbed through the skin and that may disrupt your hormones, causing things like estrogen dominance or thyroid problems.
Avoid ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and avobenzone.
Many natural sunscreens use the minerals Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide as the active ingredient, but there are also certain oils that can achieve moderate SPF levels, such as raspberry seed oil, wheat germ oil, avocado oil and carrot seed oil.
You can find natural sunscreens at many health food stores, or you can make your own at home using some simple ingredients. However, keep in mind that they aren’t invincible, and you will still need to take other sun protection measures, and remember to reapply frequently and after swimming.
Support Your Skin with Supplements. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that may help prevent UV damage from sun exposure. A good quality fish oil with a high EPA content contains nutrients that can act as protectors to your skin. Vitamin E (with mixed tocopherols), vitamin C, selenium, zinc, silicon are also all excellent skin supporters.
Enjoy the beautiful weather!
