05 May 2016

That’s the message skin experts are hoping to get across as summer approaches and people start shedding their shirts in an attempt to get their annual sun tan.

With both Skincare Awareness and Sun Awareness weeks take place in May, dermatologists are taking the opportunity to highlight the dangers of spending too much time in the sun.

And they are keen to point out that it doesn’t have to be ‘a scorcher’ before people should start taking protective action.

“When the sun is blasting down everyone should know the drill by now,” explained Dr Shalini Narayan a consultant dermatologist at Spire Bristol Hospital.

 “The danger is when there is cloud cover or a breeze that is making everything appear cooler. Clouds reduce the amount of ultraviolet A and B radiation that reaches the earth's surface and our skin, but don’t stop the damaging rays. Clouds block more visible light than ultraviolet radiation,” she explained.

“Admittedly there will be ‘summer days’ when  it is pouring it down with rain and the clouds are thick and grey that your umbrella and raincoat should give all the cover you need, but, basically, if the sun is shining then your skin is in danger.”

Government figures show that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK and rates continue to rise with at least 100,000 new cases diagnosed each year resulting in approximately   2,500 deaths.

Dr Shalini Narayan added:  “In the case of young children if it is warm enough for them to be playing out in shorts and tee shirts then the sun is usually strong enough to merit covering them in a protective cream or lotion.

“I would also advise that, particularly between 11am and 3pm when the sun rays are at their strongest, you actually put kids in long sleeved tee-shirts and light, long trousers.

 “It is always better to be safe than sorry and my advice would be that if you are outdoors in summer take care. Just because you can’t feel the burn doesn’t mean you aren’t burning!”

 Top tips for looking after your skin in the sun 

• Wear protective clothing – the tighter the knit or weave, the smaller the holes and the less UV can get.
• Use SPF 30+ /broad spectrum UVA sunscreen and re-apply every two hours.
• Never use sunscreen to increase the amount of time you can spend in the sun.
• Wear a wide brimmed hat that covers your ears and the back of your neck