Be aware of UV rays
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) displayed on a bottle of sunscreen is a measure of how well the product protects your skin from the sun's shorter-wave ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
Technically, it is the ratio of how long you could spend in the sun before burning when you’re protected by sunscreen, compared to when you don’t have that protection.
A common mistake is applying too little sunscreen, which can drastically reduce the effectiveness of the product. About 30g, a palm full, of sunscreen is recommended to cover the entire body, and it should be applied half an hour before sun exposure.
You should reapply every two hours if you’re staying outdoors for a long period of time. Applying sunscreen properly is one of the essential recommendations to lower your risk of developing skin cancer.
If it takes five to 10 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 20 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 20 times longer, about two hours on average. Most sunscreens with an SPF of 20 or higher do an excellent job of protecting against UVB.
All sunscreens bearing the Cansa’s Seal of Recognition have broad spectrum protection abilities, meaning they protect against UVA and UVB rays.
The Seal of Recognition is a guarantee that the manufacturers of these UV protective products have complied with the strict set of criteria developed by Cansa.
Cansa has also introduced their armband. This armband, an awareness device, monitors the UV intensity. It turns darker in colour as radiation intensifies.
Each shade of colour gives protection recommendations you can follow in order to avoid sunburn. These UV-Smart armbands are available in adult and kids sizes. They are available at all Cansa Care Centres countrywide.
