![]() ![]() ![]() Blueberries: Their dark skin and high content of antioxidants protect this little berry from the sun’s radiation and when we consume them, they help protect us, too.Some of my favourites to nourish and protect skin are: If you’re going to be out in the sunshine during warmer months, then it’s a good idea to amp up your consumption of antioxidant-rich foods. Antioxidants counteract the negative effects of free radicals. UV radiation increases free radicals in the body. There are many more opportunities for us to practice safe sun protection and enjoy a healthy relationship with sunshine. The sunscreen may not have the level of protection the label claimsĪpplying a layer of sunscreen is only one way that we can protect ourselves from the damaging effects of UV radiation.Believing sunscreen is the primary defense for sun protection.The unknown quantity of cumulative exposure to the sun and chemicals in sunscreens over decades of time.Not adjusting sunscreen/sun exposure based on elements like latitude and skin colour.Staying in the sun for way too long or being outside during peak sun hours because we believe we are protected.Not applying it properly or using a sufficient quantity.Sunburns often don’t emerge until several hours after sun exposure for many of us. Wearing sunscreen gives us a false sense of security, luring us to believe we’re safe and protected. sunscreeen – a false sense of securityĪside from the potential health effects of chemicals in sunscreens (more on that below), sunscreen doesn’t make us invincible. And we clean our homes with carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, we sit too much, we spend too much time in front of electronic devices, and we work in health-depleting office environments. We coat our bodies in a chemical cocktail of personal care products, deodorant and perfumes. We fill our bodies with hydrogenated oils, processed foods, additives and processed sugars. While some of these rates could be attributed to climate change and ozone depletion, I think we have changed more than our sun has. Also, skin cancer is now the third most common cancer in young women from 15-29 in Canada. In Canada, skin cancer rates rose by 1.4% per year between 19. In the US, non-melanoma skin cancer rates increased by 77% between 19, while melanomas doubled between 19 and continue to rise. It isn’t that the sun itself is dangerous, rather it’s the potential effects of getting a sunburn, which can lead to an increased risk of melanoma.īut is sunscreen solving the problem? We scrub toxic chemicals into one of our largest and most sensitive organs – our skin – yet wearing sunscreen hasn’t reduced skin cancer cases. We have been taught that sun exposure is bad and our main line of defense to protect ourselves is to use sunscreen. ![]() Common Misconceptions About Sun Exposure + Sunscreens Sunshine hitting the eye regulates our circadian rhythm, which helps us get a better night’s sleep and wake up in the morning. Aside from the reduced risk of the many common conditions mentioned above, sunlight hitting the eye is crucial. We need the full benefits of the sun throughout the body. A meta-analysis of sun exposure studies showed that moderate sun exposure can reduce the risk of: When we wear sunscreen, we block the production of Vitamin D in our bodies. We need the sun’s rays to make Vitamin D. We are terrified of the sun and smear ourselves with toxic sunscreens that may be doing us more harm than good. And yet, somehow, we have made it the villain and declared ourselves helpless victims. And dare I say it, the sunshine on our skin feels good. Sunshine is vital for our mental and emotional wellbeing. It is our leading source of Vitamin D, a vitamin that supports our bone health, enhances our immune system, balances our hormones and nourishes brain function. It’s the source of all life on this planet and we are not the one living species that does not benefit from the sunshine. Here it all is, rolled into one tidy post for you, at long last. This is because there are plenty of safe, chemical-free sunscreen options available, foods we can eat to support skin health, and healthy sun exposure habits. Yet, you’ll never find me slathering on conventional sunscreens. I gladly escape cold Toronto winters in favour of warmer locales like California, Hawaii or the Caribbean. I make no secret or excuses about my love for the sunshine. ![]()
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