Buyers beware:

Have you ever purchased a flimsy umbrella on a rainy day only for it to reverse at the first gust of wind and leave you damp as a dog? Sunscreen protection works on the same principle: if you don’t get the proper coverage, you’re bound to come head to head with the very element you’re trying to avoid. As unpleasant as getting soaked to the bone may be, the long term effects of sun damage, such as skin cancer, premature aging of the skin and depression of one’s immune system, are far more chilling.

Dr.Germain, the medical chief of front line services at the West Island’s Health and Social Services Center (HSSC), has not seen as much sun protection with his patients as he’d wish, considering the awareness campaigns that have been put forth in the last 10 years or so. “Often it’s an accumulative effect of those exposed over time to the sun,” he said. “That’s why the intervention should start very young with the kids.” During the 14 years that he has worked for the HSSC, he has seen a steady increase in skin problems relating to sun damage, pre-cancerous legions as well as skin cancer.

He would like to see more public awareness campaigns at high risk areas, such as the beach, community pools, and athletic competitions, where it is a given people will be exposed to a lot of sun. “They should have billboards, information pamphlets and sunscreen samples,” he adds.

Health Canada has issued important information on their website about sunscreen use, plus links concerning just about every aspect of sun protection to make it easier for you to find a suitable brand. Check out It’s Your Heath-Sun Safety articles at www.hc-sc.gc.ca or visit the Canadian Dermatology Website at www.dermatology.ca, where you can take a sun sensitivity test.

For now, here are some helpful hints made available by Health Canada for buying sunscreen as trusty as your giant, yellow golf umbrella, as well as other sun safety tips:

1) Buyers should become acquainted with the logic behind SPF coverage when they reach for their lucky number 15, 30, 45 and so forth. Lets say you go unprotected in the sun for half an hour and you burn, then purchasing a sunscreen with SPF 15 would allow you to stay in the sun approximately 450 minutes (7.5 hours or 15 times longer).

2) The sunscreen that you purchase should have a broad spectrum protection. Broad spectrum protection means that the sunscreen should protect not only against UVB rays (those most associated with skin cancer) but also UVA rays. When you check the back of your bottle, the active ingredient should say that the sunscreen contains both physical filters and chemical filters.

3) Remember that fair skin burns much more easily than dark skin, but that doesn’t excuse darker toned individuals from sunscreen altogether. The safest bet for every tone is to apply sunscreen before you head outdoors (waiting period varies) and reapply no later then a 20 minutes in the sun for maximum coverage. Apply more frequently if you are swimming or sweating profusely.

4) Check how waterproof your sunscreen is, remember water resistant does not mean waterproof. Also try to get some shade during the peak hours of the sun, 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

5) If the UV index is elevated to 3 +, make sure to have additional coverage with you, such as broad hats, and light, covering clothing.