28 | CANADIAN LIVING NOVEMBER 2019
FALSE Your skin is golden and you’ve
managed to make it through the sum-
mer without a single sunburn. First of all,
well done! But is this a reason to forget
about sunscreen? No. “A tan is a not a
form of UV protection,” says Dr. Abdulla.
“To protect skin from the sun, you need
waterproof, broad spectrum protection
with an SPF of at least 30. UVA rays,
responsible for premature aging, exist
no matter the season or weather...and
can even penetrate windows!” So yes,
you can get a golden glow, but you can
also get a sunburn, a couple wrinkles
and maybe some sun spots, too.EXPERT ADVICE With all the sun-
screen choices out there, it’s no wonder
many of us feel lost. “Mineral filters are
recommended for sensitive skin, but are
less photostable (some ingredients don’t
protect as well when exposed to the
sun), and less resistant to water and
sweat than a sunscreen with a chemical
filter,” says the dermatologist.FALSE “According to the skin’s cell turnover cycle, there
needs to be a minimum of 28 days to see the effects of any
product, and up to six months for certain ones, especially
those that fight spots and hyperpigmentation,” reveals
Toronto-based dermatologist Dr. Sonya Abdulla. The key is
patience. Before giving up on a product, make sure you’ve
given it enough time for it to work and its effects to be seen.EXPERT ADVICE The needs of our skin vary depending
on environmental stress, season and age. “If you’ve found a
routine you like after a month, don’t go changing it, but adjust
the level of hydration and richness when the seasons
change,” explains the dermatologist.FALSE White marks or lines are not a sign of calcium
deficiency; they're a sign of injury to the nail bed,
which provokes a disruption of the nail’s keratin
layers. There is no miracle cure...so to see these
white spots disappear for good, don’t over-consume
lactose, just patiently wait until the nail grows out.Constantly changing your skin-care
MYTH routine avoids it becoming ineffective.White spots on nails indicate
MYTH calcium deficiency.Having a tan makes
MYTH sunburn less likely.The key is
patience.
Before giv-
ing up on
a product,
make sure
you’ve given
it enough
time for its
effects to
be noticed.