In honour of #NoFryDay, we put together a series of photos from movie scenes and celebrities to remind you of the importance of sun safety. As you look through these ridiculous pictures, take a minute to brush up on some sun safety facts and ways to block the rays!
Will Ferrell
Tip #1: You’re safest when you wear sunscreen.
Nobody plans to get a sunburn, but nobody is immune to them either – not even Will Ferrell!
Make it a habit and add sunscreen to your daily routine. A “broad-spectrum” sunscreen will protect your skin from both UVA and UVB damage, but only when you’ve applied it properly.
If you’re going to be outside (even when it’s cloudy), generously apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 50+, and be sure to reapply every 2 hours.
Bride Wars
Tip #2: Cover up!
If you want to keep from looking like Anne Hathaway in the movie Bride Wars, then keep your skin protected by your clothes!
Even though this is a photo of a botched spray tan, real tans and burns can look the same – only to leave permanent and dangerous skin damage such as melanoma and other deadly skin cancers.
Wearing hats, sunglasses and UV protective clothing when outdoors will help minimize your chances of looking like this and having the sun damaged skin to remember it.
The Hangover
Tip #3: Seek shade during peak UV hours.
Just like Doug in this photo, too many of us can relate to the feeling of being in the sun for too long.
A headache, dehydration and a nasty burn can all be avoided when you stay out of the sun between the hours of 11am and 3pm from March to October.
You will also be avoiding long term sun damaged skin.
Final Destination
Tip #4: Avoid Tanning Beds.
If this scene from Final Destination 3 wasn’t enough to scare you from using tanning beds, maybe these facts are:
• tanning beds cause more cancer than cigarettes
• early exposure to tanning beds can increase your chances of melanoma by up to 75%
• base tans are not a form of protection, and any colour change to your skin caused by UV rays is a sign of skin damage
Seinfeld
Spending time outdoors can be a lot of fun and beneficial to our health in a lot of ways, but tanning is not a safe source of vitamin D. You’re better off incorporating vitamin D into your diet through food sources and supplements, rather than “cooking” like Kramer.
If you’re going to be outside, always make sure you follow the four safety tips listed above to lower your risk of developing permanent sun damage and skin cancers.
