Remember to keep your skin safe in the sun

Reporter: Dr Peter Elton Director of Public Health NHS Bury
Date online: 01 June 2009

Summer is here and the weather is fine, so it’s time to think about protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Whether at home or on holiday, sun protection is something we all need to be aware of because sun damage can lead to skin cancer.

Skin cancer can affect anyone - over 75,000 people across the UK every year are diagnosed with it. The people who are most at risk are those who have moles or freckles, red or fair hair, skin that burns easily, a family history of skin cancer or have been sunburned before, especially at a young age.

Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign suggests these simple steps to staying safe in the sun:

Spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm.
Make sure you never burn.
Aim to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses.
Remember to take extra care with children.
Then use factor 15+ sunscreen.

Don’t forget to protect your eyes with a good quality pair of sunglasses too. Consider styles with wide or wraparound arms to protect the sensitive skin around the eye area.

Using sunbeds is just as dangerous as lying in the sun and also accelerates the rate at which your skin ages. If you are under the age of 35 and use sunbeds you increase the risk of skin cancer by up to 75%.

It’s important to check your skin regularly for any changes to the shape and size of your freckles and moles and look out for any unusual growths. If you notice any changes it is important to seek advice from your GP.