Sun Safety and Tanning

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

The sun gives off an invisible light called UV radiation. Lamps in tanning beds or sun lamps also give off UV radiation. UV rays can damage the skin during any season or temperature.

UV rays reflect off:

• Water
• Sand
• Cement
• Snow
• Other surfaces

Tanning and skin cancer

Too much UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds is the main cause of skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in Ontario. UV radiation from tanning beds can be five times stronger than the mid-day summer sun.

Tanning beds increase your risk of skin cancer. It causes premature skin aging and eye damage. The World Health Organization (WHO) puts tanning beds in its highest risk category for cancer, along with tobacco and asbestos. Using a tanning bed before the age of 35 increases the risk of developing skin cancer.

Tanning bed use among youth

A 2012 IPSOS survey found that tanning bed use is increasing in students in grades 7 to 12 in Ontario. This survey also found that:

• More than 20 per cent of grade 12 students use tanning beds.
• 24 per cent of youth who use tanning beds said that their parents introduced them to tanning beds.
• More than half of youth who use tanning beds said that their parents paid for their tanning bed use.

Ontario's Skin Cancer Prevention Act

In Ontario, sale, marketing and advertising of artificial tanning services to youth under 18 years of age is prohibited.  The Skin Cancer Prevention Act protects young people from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds.  Using a tanning bed is particularly dangerous for young people.  Using tanning beds before age 35 can increase a person’s risk of melanoma by 75 per cent (CDC, 2013).

The Act:

• Bans youth under 18 from using tanning beds.
• Bans the advertising and marketing of tanning services to youth under 18.
• Requires tanning bed operators to request identification from anyone who appears under 25 years old.
• Requires tanning bed operators to post signs about the bans and health risks of tanning bed use.
• Requires tanning bed operators provide protective eyewear.
• Requires tanning bed operators provide written notice of their location and business contact information to their local health units.
• Authorizes inspectors to inspect and enforce these requirements.
• Sets fines for tanning bed operators who do not comply.

For more information about how the Ontario's Skin Cancer Prevention Act affects your business, call the Durham Health Connection Line.

Health Canada information on tanning beds and lamps

Check the UV index

Check the UV index to find out how strong the sun is. The UV index ranges from zero to eleven or higher. You need more protection when the number is higher. This is because the sun is stronger.

Limit time in the sun

The sun is strongest between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Plan your outdoor activities before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Do this to avoid the sun's strongest rays. Keep babies less than one year old out of direct sunlight.

Seek shade

Shade can lower your exposure to UV radiation by 75 per cent. Shade can also help to:

• Reduce energy costs.
• Provide comfort outdoors.
• Reduce air pollution.
• Increase property value.

Seek shade under:

• Trees
• Arbors or gazebos
• Porches
• Umbrellas
• Portable shelters or canopies

If you do not have shade, create your own using these four shade planning tips:

1. Think about where and when your outdoor activities will happen.
2. Check out the amount of shade you already have.
3. Decide where you need more shade.
4. Make a plan.

Wear UV-protective clothing

You can wear clothing to protect yourself from the sun. This includes:

• A wide-brimmed hat that covers your head, neck and ears.
• Light-coloured and breathable clothing that covers your arms and legs.
• UV 400 or 100 per cent UV protective sunglasses that wrap around to protect your eyes.

Use sunscreen

Protect your skin from UV rays with proper sunscreen use all year:

• Use a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen and lip balm with SPF 30 or more.
• Re-apply sunscreen as needed or after swimming, sweating or toweling.
• Do not use sunscreen on babies less than six-months old.

Related links

• Canadian Dermatology Association
• Cancer Care Ontario
• Environment Canada
• Health Canada
• Canadian Cancer Society

Schools and child care facilities

Schools can help prevent skin cancer by teaching children healthy sun-safe attitudes and behaviours. 

Child care facilities

We have sun safety resources for child care facilities to use to teach children sun safety behaviours and promote a sun-safe environment in your facility.

Sun safety resources for child care facilities

• Sample sun safety policy for child care facilities.
• Sample sun safety letter to parents.
• Sun safe environment

When you work outdoors, you have more exposure to UV radiation. This is the main cause of skin cancer.

Follow general sun safety tips to reduce your risk as well as:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Wear a hat or attach a neck flap to hard hats to protect skin from the sun.
• Use safety glasses or visors with 100 per cent UV protection.
• Follow your workplace sun safety policy.

For more information on workplace sun safety programs, visit SunSafetyAtWork.ca.