• When outside and the Ultraviolet (UV) Index is 3 or higher, there is risk of harm to unprotected skin and eyes.
• The UV Index regularly reaches 3 and higher between the peak hours of 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (daylight savings time [DST]; 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. standard time), from March to October on sunny and cloudy days.
• The UV Index regularly reaches 5 and higher between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (DST) from May to August, but rarely exceeds 10 in Canada.
• Infants, young children and people with fair skin that burns easily are especially vulnerable to UV exposure.
• Check the weather forecast for the daily UV Index forecast (http://weather.gc.ca).

• Choose synthetic fabrics or polyester blends, or look for clothing labels with a high ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number.
• Lightweight, loose-fitting UV protective clothing can keep you cooler than bare skin in hot weather.
• Baseball hats do not provide enough protection, covering only the scalp and shading only a small part of the face.
• Don’t risk developing skin cancer while trying to keep active. When you participate in outdoor sport, cover up as much as possible.
• If you work outdoors, consider UV protective clothing designed specifically for outdoor workers, which may also keep you cooler.

• Choose hats with a wide brim all around made of tightly woven fabric. Hats should shade your face, ears and the back of your neck.
• Baseball hats do not provide enough protection, covering only the scalp and shading only a small part of the face.

Sunglasses that completely shield the eyes protect against a number of eye diseases.

• Wear close-fitting, wraparound sunglasses or sunglasses with side shields, even if you wear contact lenses, when outside from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (daylight savings time), from March to October.
• Wear sunglasses any time you are in highly reflective environments, such as on snow, water or sand.

More details

• Brown-tinted sunglasses generally provide better protection than other tint colours.
• Prescription sunglasses and sunglasses that fit over your regular non-treated prescription glasses are available.
• Most modern, non-tinted prescription glasses are treated to provide ultraviolet (UV) protection.
• In situations where you can’t wear sunglasses, use either prescription or non-prescription (plano) ultraviolet absorbing contact lenses.

Sunscreens must have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50 or higher, be broad spectrum and water resistant, and applied with a generous layer on all exposed skin to work effectively.

• Sunscreens should be used on exposed skin not covered by protective clothing, which offers more effective skin protection.
• Use a generous amount of sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen based on activity level, immediately after swimming, towelling off or sweating heavily.
• When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that is:

• Broad spectrum, protects against ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB)
• SPF 50 or higher
• Water resistant

More details:

• Applying sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outside helps your skin to absorb it before exposure, but once outside, it’s not too late to apply.
• Health Canada recommends reapplying sunscreen every two hours.
• Sunscreens come in a variety of formulations. Find one that suits you best.
• In Canada, all sunscreens have passed a review by Health Canada and are given a drug identification number (DIN).
• Reviews of studies of a number of common sunscreen ingredients have not shown that those ingredients, including oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), pose health risks.

There is no such thing as a safe or healthy tan. Exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) and UVB radiation from tanning equipment can cause sunburn and eye damage, as well as increase the risk of skin cancer and other UV-related negative health effects.

More details

• A “base tan” provides little to no protection against sunburn. Any tan or change in skin colour is a sign of skin damage.
• Tanning is not a safe source of vitamin D. The best way to maintain a healthy level of vitamin D is through taking a vitamin D supplement and including D-rich food sources, such as milk or milk alternatives, such as fortified soy and almond beverages, in your diet.

What does the evidence say?

UV-emitting tanning devices are classified by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). There is sufficient evidence that UV-emitting tanning devices cause cutaneous and ocular melanoma. There is limited evidence that UV-emitting indoor tanning devices cause squamous cell carcinoma.²³

The World Health Organization has issued a recommendation against the use of tanning equipment—especially by people under the age of 18.^62,63