Despite the efforts of UK health education campaigns that highlight sun exposure as one of the biggest risk factors in the development of a melanoma, it seems we’re still not as ‘sun savvy’ as we ought to be.
A new poll by Stratum Dermatology Clinics (stratumclinics.com) reveals that almost half of people (48 per cent) admit to having burnt over the last year – whether from not bothering to apply SPF when only outside for a short period, not reapplying sunscreen regularly enough or simply because they chose to skip it in favour of trying for a suntan.
Even short-term episodes of sunburn can increase the risk of skin cancer so my article in The Daily Mirror and Daily Express highlighted some important information from consultant dermatologist Dr Adam Friedmann and British Skin Foundation Spokesperson and Consultant Dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips.
For example, did you know that a typical person on a week’s holiday should be using 50ml of sunscreen every day, applying it on a regular basis? That means a tube shouldn’t last too long if you’re applying enough.
Plus, you should beware of reflective rays from water and sand – as much as half of burning of the face is caused by reflective UV rays.
And apply your sun protection well ahead of stepping out into the rays, they advise – it takes up to 20 minutes for sun protection to take effect.