Sun Skin Safety
As we enter the long awaited summer, here are some top tips on how to enjoy the sun safely
The issue
As we move out of lockdowns towards the promised land of a golden summer, most of us probably plan to spend a lot of time outdoors catching up on the things we’ve missed over the last year. Although we’ll be looking forward to upping our intake of vitamin D after a long winter, one thing more of us need to be aware of is how to look after our skin and protect against dangerous radiation. As the impact of climate change continues to grow we are seeing warmer and warmer summers, with higher levels of UV radiation as a result. Thanks a bunch, global warming! The result means it’s ever more important to build in a new skincare routine to protect ourselves so we can enjoy the sun safely.
Facts
Over the last decade we have seen skin cancer rates in the UK increase by 38%, and incidence rates are projected to rise by a further 7% by 2035. With these statistics in mind it’s also important to call out that getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple your risk of skin cancer. In more positive news, almost 9 out of 10 cases of melanoma in the UK can be prevented through staying away from sunbeds and enjoying the sun safely.
In preparation for the summer months we’ve covered a few key do's and don’t's when it comes to our habits in the sun. Time to go myth busting…
Do's & Don't's
DON’T just rely on sun screen. Although key to sun protection, sun screen shouldn’t be relied on to look after all your skin needs.
Make sure you spend time in the shade and cover up with clothing and hats during the highest UV times of the day for the best protection. This can also help you and your family to avoid sun stroke and prickly heat.
DO apply sun screen every day, regardless of the weather! It’s a common myth that UV is at its strongest when the weather is at its hottest. That’s not technically true, the UV is highest in the UK between 11am and 3pm from March to October, and the level of UV does not always correlate to the temperature outside. The Met Office run a UV forecast so you can check the range from day to day - important to remember when the UV index is 3 or more, the sun is strong enough to cause damage to fairer skin types.
DON’T think cloud cover protects you. Over 90% of UV rays can break through light cloud and cause sun burn so getting burnt is often most likely during cloudy days when we think the sun isn’t strong enough to cause damage.
Again, check in with the UV index for a guide, but if its peak season in the UK then you need to make sure you protect your skin against the sun.
DO make sure your sun screen is up to scratch and reapply regularly! With so many sun screens on the market it can be hard to know what to go for. It’s important to make sure you are buying a product that is going to protect you. The key things to look out for are a sun screen that is at least SPF 15 (but ideally higher) and has a start rating of 4 or 5. Despite the claims of water resistance and single application, it’s always recommended you regularly re apply throughout the day for the best protection.
DO buy new sunscreen every year. Once opened, your sunscreen will only be as effective for about 12 months, and even less if you’ve been storing it in a warm place like your car. Ditch that old bottle at the back of cupboard and get a new bottle before your holiday, especially if the consistency has changed.