Protect yourself and enjoy the outdoors in peace!

The heat and the sun are finally here. And the good weather means fun and great times spent outdoors with the family. Everyone is looking forward to getting out of the house especially after the challenging year that we’ve been through. Walks in the countryside, bike rides, picnics and water games will be on the schedule for the weeks to come. But having fun with the family doesn’t mean you can forget to be careful with the sun's rays.

Familiprix reminds us that it is essential to protect everyone from the harmful effects of exposure to the sun. Although the heat is very pleasant, the fact remains that UV rays bring their share of health risks. It’s important to have very good sun protection, in a cream or screen, for yourself, and for your children, so that going outside remains a source of enjoyment.

Familiprix helps to protect us

Ultraviolet (UV) rays attack the skin and vary in intensity depending on the time of day. They represent a very significant risk of sunburn, even serious burns. Children are particularly at risk. You should be aware that even in cloudy weather, the rays are still harmful. This is why it is essential to protect young and old with a good sunscreen throughout the day, even to avoid or reduce exposure when possible during the hottest hours, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Sunscreen has established itself as an essential ingredient for any successful outing, just like a hat, long clothing and sunglasses. In Familiprix stores, the sun protection section has a wide variety of brands and sizes of all kinds, whether sunscreen or mineral screen, in lotions or sprays. Because spray is easier to apply, it is usually more practical than the cream for athletes or children.

How to choose your protection

UVA and UVB rays both play a role in causing cancer and premature aging of the skin. The sun is also responsible for the appearance of pigment spots, which get bigger over time, depending on the frequency and duration of exposure. To reduce the risks, you should generally choose a cream with a sun protection factor (SPF) between 30 and 50. The screen chosen must also protect against two types of UV rays (UVA and UVB) - therefore broad spectrum.

Biomedic SPF-50 sunscreen, in the 1-liter family size, is a good choice for your family during the summer. It’s pump makes it very practical to apply, even on wiggling babies! And the bonus is that older children can apply it by themselves. Biomedic sunscreens are recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association, and are also available in different sizes. They are paraben and oxybenzone free, and are water resistant for 80 minutes.

Another suggestion is the Hawaiian Tropic  Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance Sunscreen Lotion that protects, softens and leaves the skin soft with its shimmering formula. Available in SPF 15, 30 and 50+, it protects against UVA and UVB rays. In addition to vitamins C and E, it contains a complex of shea butter and mango extracts. It’s non-greasy, water resistant for 80 minutes, available in a convenient 90 ml size, and is recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association.

Application tips 

Properly-applied sun protection will prevent red marks and sunburn. For best results, the cream should be applied in sufficient quantity (30 ml or 2 tablespoons for an adult) and spread evenly, preferably about 20 minutes before exposure. This often involves an application before leaving the house.

During the day, throughout the exposure, you’ll need to refresh the application every 90 minutes. And more frequently after swimming, exercising or playing. Sport-type sunscreens are a bit more water-resistant, but not entirely.

What about the eyes?

There’s no more going outside without wearing a hat today, especially with the temperatures warming. For babies and toddlers, avoid hats that are too thin, such as straw hats, and opt for thicker hats which also protect the eyes, ears and neck. The sun's rays can damage everyone's eyes. Just like with adults, it’s advisable to protect the eyes of toddlers as well. Even though it’s not easy to get them to wear sunglasses, it’s the right thing to do. The sunglasses must have the “UV 400” or “100% UV Protection” label on them to be effective.