Sunburns and bug bites are summer rites, but you can minimize the feeling of irritation | Canada Voices

As record-setting heat waves become more frequent, your skin is likely to feel hot and bothered at some point this summer. Limiting sun exposure and avoiding sunburn should be a top seasonal priority – despite a rising TikTok trend of young people trying to achieve intense tan lines for display.

“It’s puzzling that people are pursuing a ‘look’ that damages skin both in the short- and long-term,” says dermatologist Renée A. Beach, the founder of DermAtelier on Avenue and an assistant professor in the faculty of medicine at University of Toronto. Research has shown a link between tanning and the risk of developing skin cancer. “Knowing what we know now, it’s kind of like somebody smoking cigarettes and then showing off photos of their lung decay or abnormal respiratory tests,” Beach says.

To be clear, any change in skin tone because of sun exposure [including a tan] is the body’s signal that damage to the epidermis has occurred. “Sufficient cellular and DNA damage ultimately changes skin cells so that they become cancerous,” Beach warns.

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Wearing sunscreen daily is vital for healthy skin, and can help protect against premature aging related to sun damage such as dark spots, dullness and collagen breakdown that contributes to fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also important to keep your SPF in a cool place away from heat and direct sunlight.

“Improper storage may impact the product stability, and if a product has stability issues, you can no longer rely on the SPF claims,” says Jen Novakovich, a cosmetic scientist at the Eco Well, an organization dedicated to making accurate cosmetic industry information more accessible. Apart from keeping track of expiry dates or best-by labels, she says to look out for consistency and colour changes in your sunscreen. If the product comes out clumpy with a separated oily layer, it’s time to toss it.

To avoid sun damage or burns, the Canadian Dermatology Association recommends limiting exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. When you are out, Dr. Beach encourages a preventative full-body strategy using a hat and UV protection clothing. “If the source, UV, can’t get to the target, our skin, then the damage can’t happen.”

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If you do get struck by a sunburn, start your treatment inside out. “Maintain hydration by drinking water and soothe the site with a water-based product, like aloe vera gel,” says Beach. It’s also best to keep skin clean and to avoid touching any blisters. “Deroofing a blister can leave you at risk for infection,” she says. Cold showers and compresses, and breathable loose clothing can also ease the discomfort of heat rash, which occurs when moisture or sweat gets trapped in the skin at various levels.

As for bug bites, Novakovich recommends looking out for key ingredients in topical treatments. “I would reach for products with either hydrocortisone, which targets inflammation and itching, or calamine, a soothing and cooling skin protectant,” she says.

Beach’s protocol includes icing the site and using an over-the-counter product with anaesthetics or NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to help numb the sensation and decrease swelling, respectively. “Do consider an antihistamine to help limit swelling, don’t apply an antibiotic cream – this is not an infection,” she says.

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SOS products for all types of irritated summer skin, starting at $17