North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit’s Melanie Simms says taking care of ourselves in the warmer sun in the summer months is important.
Your skin and eyes are the biggest concerns when it comes to the sun’s rays, says Simms. The sun can cause the skin to age, retinal burns, cataracts and skin and eye cancers.
Melanoma is on the rise, says Simms, as research also shows that Canadians are getting more sun.
The issue that health professionals are finding is that despite the increased sun time, Canadians are protecting themselves less and less.
It is essential that you apply enough sunscreen often enough to protect your skin and that you wear UV-protected sunglasses.
Also important is not relying just on sunscreen or sunblock. Covering up with clothing or using an umbrella are effective ways of getting out of the sun’s rays for a while.
