Some common (and dangerous) summer sun myths

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With temperatures predicted to spike over the next few days, you can bet sun worshippers will be hitting our parks and beaches.

But there are a few things you should be thinking about while soaking up those rays because some summer sun myths can be downright dangerous.

The concept of the “base tan” is a prime example.

It is generally accepted that using a tanning bed to get a bit of a tan before hitting some serious sun will help protect you from burning, but dermatologists say it doesn’t offer any protection from damaging UV rays.

“Tanning is a reaction to the harmful effects of UV radiation, so the tans themselves are considered a sign of harm,” says Dr. Vincent Richer with the Skin Care Centre for UBC Dermatology.

“While it may diminish the possibility for burning, having a tan itself is cause for concern.”

Another common misconception is that the higher your sunscreen’s SPF rating, the longer you can stay out in the sun.

“That is fiction, in the sense that all sun exposure can potentially be harmful,” Richer tells News1130.

“A high SPF filters a proportion of the light that is hitting the skin and so we still recommend SPFs 60 or higher be worn. But these are not a license to go lie outside for several hours.”

And have you heard that higher-SPF sunscreens don’t do anything more than say, an SPF 30?

Richer says that is a myth, which is probably a good thing.

“Sunscreens are tested in laboratories and they pile it on. In reality, people apply less than half — even a quarter — of what’s recommended. So high numbers do tend to compensate for the low amount of sunscreen that we put on our skin. High numbers like SPF 60 and above are still very relevant today.”

What about throwing away last year’s sunscreen because it has lost its effectiveness?

Some sources say it’s more like three years before sunscreen goes bad. But Dr. Richer says if you use the right amount, you shouldn’t have any leftovers.

“If we apply sunscreen to our full body, we are meant to use about four tablespoons… If you can imagine going to the beach for the day where you are meant to reapply when you get wet, you should be going through quite a bit of sunscreen.”

Richer notes being sun savvy this summer is more than just being smart with your sunscreen — don’t forget a hat and long sleeves.

We’ll see you at the beach.

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