Sun School
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Sunny days are here again and we can’t wait to get outside with the fam and enjoy the (oh so short) Canadian summer.
But before we do, we went back to sun school for a little refresher course on safe suncare. And it all boils (like us on a sticky-hot 30 degree Toronto summer day) down to four key rules of Sun 101, so here are your crib notes:
Use Sunscreen (of Course)
- Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen (protects against both UVA and UVB rays) with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15
- Look for sunscreen that carries the Canadian Dermatology Association seal to make sure you are getting the best protection
- Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before outdoor activities to ensure it has absorbed—apply in the am when the kids are getting dressed—and reapply often as swimming and perspiration reduce effectiveness
- Keep a bottle in the kids’ bedrooms, at the front door, in the stroller and in the car at all times for easy application
- Remember that an application of sunscreen is about one ounce per person (think shot glass) so an average bottle should not last long for a busy family (about a weekend)
