Remember when mom told you to play outside in the sun because it was good for you? Remember when, as a young woman, you thought nothing of spending a couple of hours sitting in the sun with a reflector, trying to "build up your tan"?
Those days are gone.
At the Oakville Acne Clinic in Oakville, Ont., Dr. Evan Monkman specializes in the treatment of skin problems including sun damage.  Sunscreens are important, he asserts, and recommends choosing one with a sun protection factor rating (SPF) of at least 15, noting that though the protection increases, you don't get twice the protection with SPF 30 products. One of the problems with sunscreen is that people don't put enough on.
"You should plaster it on one-half hour before you go out in the sun," Monkman suggests. "Better yet, make it a habit of putting it on during your morning bathroom routine.
"Some sun products protect for eight to 12 hours, but it's still a good idea to reapply after swimming or vigorous exercise, even if you aren't sweating. I would put more on after four hours, particularly if you are out in the sun between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when most burning occurs."
In addition to sunscreen, Monkman suggests if you are going on a cruise or land tour, wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your ears and neck. And don't forget to protect your face when skiing.
It's a common myth but tanning beds don't provide protection before flying south. "There is no evidence that tanning beds are any safer than sun exposure – they cause skin cancer just as the sun does," says Monkman. "We never recommend using tanning parlours."
At the Oakville Acne Clinic, the medical staff treat manifestations of sun damage from wrinkles to small brown bumps or small flaky patches called keratoses. These common problems can be removed in a variety of ways including scraping or freezing, treated with chemical creams or electrical treatments. Some clinics offer laser treatments too.
Monkman cautions, "Sun damage occurs over 30 to 40 years, not usually in a week or two away.  However, sometimes brown spots will flare up on the face and hands with acute exposure. We can get rid of them, but if you go back out in the sun without protection, you'll get new spots."
If you notice your skin is damaged before you go away, it's wise to wait until you return to fix the problem because you must stay out of the sun during the treatment's healing period.
For those who want a bronze glow without the sun, there are self-tanning cosmetic products that safely stain the skin. Applied evenly, self-tanning products provide the illusion of a tan. Use these particularly on the face where sun damage can take its toll.
At the clinic, patients are given a list of recommended sun-tan products that contain finely ground particles of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and the chemical parasol, which extend the UVA and UVB protection.  Product lines suggested are Durascreen, Ombrelle, PreSun Neutrogena, Bain de Soleil, Marcelle and Aquaderm.
Many cosmetic and skin-care companies aware of customers sun-tan needs are introducing or widening their sun-tan product lines. Estee Lauder offers a full range of sunning items including SunBlock for Face SPF 15 or 25; SunBlock Lotion Spray, SPF 15;  and before-sun exfoliate with Body Smoother.  Advanced Suncare After Sun Rehydrator with Aloe Vera will help cool, soothe and replenish moisture to the sun exposed surface.
Estee Lauder has a full range of self-tanning products called Self Action in sprays and creams for both the face and body. New sun products are the Go Bronze Tinted Self-Tanner for the face or body, both giving the skin an instant bronze glow while your sunless tan develops.
The Body Shop Canada's New Sun Care range is waterproof and PABA-free. The non-oily formulations contain anti-oxidants such as ginkgo, vitamin E and green tea, which help to neutralize free radicals – highly reactive molecules that can damage skin cells and accelerate the natural aging process of the skin.