Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it is cloudy. There is no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects. It is important to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.
Who should take extra care in the sun?
EVERYONE! Individuals who spend a lot of time in the sun, whether it is for work or play, are at increased risk of skin cancer if they do not take the right precautions.
Myth Busting: Darker skin has some protection against UV rays hence individuals with naturally brown or black skin are less likely to get skin cancer. They however also need more time in sunlight to produce the same amount of vitamin D as people with lighter skin. It is equally important that individuals with darker skin avoid burning and take care in the sun as people of all skin tones can get skin cancer.
Extra care is advisable for the following:
- babies and children; their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin.
- children aged under 6 months should be kept out of strong sunlight.
- have pale, white or light brown skin.
- have freckles or red or fair hair.
- tend to burn rather than tan.
- have many moles.
- have skin problems relating to a medical condition.
- are only exposed to intense sun occasionally (for example, while on holiday)
- are in a hot country where the sun is particularly intense.
- have a family history of skin cancer.
Sun safety tips:
- Spend time in the shade when the sun is strongest. In the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October.
- Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm.
- Do not burn.
- Stay hydrated!
- Cover up with suitable clothing and sunglasses. wear a wide brimmed hat that shades the face, neck, and ears. wear a long-sleeved top, trousers or long skirts in close-weave fabrics that do not allow sunlight through. Sunglasses with wraparound lenses or wide arms with the CE Mark and British Standard Mark 12312-1:2013 E
- Use at least factor 30 sunscreen. When buying sunscreen, the label should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB and at least 4-star UVA protection.
What are the SPF and star rating?
- The sun protection factor, or SPF, is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection.
- SPFs are rated on a scale of 2 to 50+ based on the level of protection they offer, with 50+ offering the strongest form of UVB protection.
- The star rating measures the amount of ultraviolet A radiation (UVA) protection. You should see a star rating of up to 5 stars on UK sunscreens. The higher the star rating, the better.
- The letters "UVA" inside a circle is a European marking. This means the UVA protection is at least a third of the SPF value and meets EU recommendations.
- Sunscreens that offer both UVA and UVB protection are sometimes called broad spectrum.
How to apply sunscreen
- As a guide, adults should aim to apply around 6-8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you are covering your entire body.
- Apply sunscreen twice if planning to b out in the sun long enough to risk burning; 30 minutes before going out and just before going out.
- Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears, and head if you have thinning or no hair, but a wide-brimmed hat is better.
- Reapply the sunscreen liberally and frequently, and according to manufacturer’s instructions. It is recommended to reapply every 2 hours, as the sun dry it off your skin.
- Reapply sunscreen straight after you have been in water, even if ‘water restraint.’
How to deal with sunburn:
- Sponge sore skin with cool water, then apply soothing after sun cream or spray, like aloe vera.
- Take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to ease the pain and reduce inflammation.
- Stay out of the sun until all signs of redness have gone.
- Seek medical help if you feel unwell or the skin swells badly or blisters.
Resources:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/sun-safety
Sunscreen and sun safety - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
How to stay safe in the sun | British Skin Foundation
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sunburn/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke/