Skin health Sun safety


Your guide to


sun safety We may be better informed about sun protection these days, but many


people still aren’t looking after their skin as well as they should when they’re in the sun. Here’s what you should know


Every year health experts offer advice on preventing skin cancer and warn about the dangers of over-exposing your skin to the sun. But too many people are still affected by sunburn, says the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD). A BAD report published to mark last year’s Sun Awareness Week suggests more than one in three Brits were sunburned in the previous year while in the UK. And even more of us were sunburned while spending time abroad (46 per cent). When asked why they became sunburned the most


common reasons people gave included: • Not realising how strong the sun was (61 per cent)


• Failing to reapply sunscreen after long periods in the sun (43 per cent)


• Not reapplying sunscreen after sweating or swimming (30 per cent).


• Wanting a tan (20 per cent) • Falling asleep in the sun (13 per cent)


• Drinking too much alcohol (eight per cent)


Sunburn may be a short-term consequence of not using appropriate sun protection, but in the long term it can lead to the development of skin cancer (according to Cancer Research UK, getting sunburned just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer). Getting sunburned doesn’t mean you’ll definitely develop skin cancer, but it does mean there’s even more reason to protect your skin in future, the charity adds.


So here’s a quick guide to some of the things you should


do to keep your skin safe this summer, so you can enjoy the sunshine without affecting your health…


Use the right level of sun protection According to the NHS, when you’re buying sunscreen make sure you get a product that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to protect against UVB, and at least four- star UVA protection. SPF is a measure of the amount of UVB radiation protection in a sunscreen product, and the higher the number, the stronger the form of UVB protection. UVA protection, meanwhile, is measured in stars (five is the maximum). Sunscreens that offer both UVA and UVB protection are often called broad-spectrum sunscreens. BAD experts, however, recommend using a high-


protection sunscreen of at least SPF30 and high UVA protection. If you’re unsure which level of protection you need, your local Careway pharmacist can offer plenty of advice.


TOP TIP: Ask your local Careway pharmacist about the Solero range of sun care products, which includes formulations for people with sensitive skin (including eczema) as well as sun care products for children’s skin. The standard Solero range also offers triple protection against sun damage, as it shields against infrared-A (IR-A) rays in addition to UVA and UVB.


Learn to use the right amount of sunscreen According to BAD experts, studies suggest most of us apply less than half the amount required to provide the level of protection on the packaging. According to the NHS, adults should aim to apply the following:


• Two teaspoons of sunscreen if you’re just covering your head, arms and neck.


• Two tablespoons if you’re covering your entire body while wearing a swimming costume.


As well as applying the right amount of sunscreen, here are the other things you should do:


• Apply sunscreen generously and don’t forget areas such as the back and sides of the neck, temples and ears.


• Apply 15 - 30 minutes before going out in the sun, then again shortly after you go outdoors.


• Reapply at least every two hours and immediately after swimming, perspiring and towel drying, or if your sunscreen has rubbed off (even if you’re using a water- resistant product).


8 All About health


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