As the summer months approach and we spend less time in front of the TV and more time in front of the barbeque with an ice-cold refreshment, it’s important to remember the potential dangers of sun exposure.
Most of us will experience sunburn in our lives, whether it’s blistering and painful or a slightly red nose on a sunny day, but what impact does this have on our skin?
Does sunburn cause skin cancer?
“Getting sunburn just once every two years can triple your risk of melanoma skin cancer, compared to never being burnt.” - Cancer Research UK
UV (ultraviolet radiation) can occur naturally from the sun and unnaturally from things like tanning beds. When our skin is exposed to too much UV, we damage the DNA in our skin cells, which can cause mutations or uncontrollable cell growth that leads to cancer. Sunburn is a sign that our skin has been damaged and our body is trying to recover, but this damage doesn’t just occur on sunny days, it can happen whenever UV is high.
A single case of sunburn doesn’t necessarily cause cancer, but it can damage your skin and increase the chances of further damage in the future.
Are some people at higher risk of sunburn?
Some skin types are more at risk than others, particularly those who seem to burn easily or have especially fair skin, hair or eyes.
Others who may be an increased risk include people with lots of moles or freckles, those who have had many sunburns in their lifetime, and those with a family history of skin cancer.
People who are on medication that makes skin sensitive are also at an increased risk. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and chemotherapy all commonly cause sensitive skin.
Protecting your skin from the sun
There are a few things you can do to protect your skin from the effects of UV and sun damage.
High-SPF
Wear a good broad-spectrum sun cream. An effective sun cream should protect you from both UVA and UVB rays and ideally be over SPF 30. You should always apply suncream 15 to 30 minutes before you leave the house for it to be effective.
Top Up Regularly
You should be topping up your sun cream every couple of hours, particularly if you’re sweating or have been in water. Being near water or sand can also increase your chances of burning as these surfaces tend to reflect UV rays.
Weather Apps
Use a weather app to check the UV forecast. Anything below 3 shouldn’t damage your skin but anything above that may require protection. A UV of over 6 is considered to be high and most people will need protection. Most weather apps will even tell you what level of protection you need and the approximate time of day that UV rays are higher.
Hats & Sunglasses
Hats and sunglasses can be your best friend when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun. Hats provide shade on your face and neck and high-absorption sunglasses can offer increased protection to both the eyes and the skin around the eyes.
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Limit Exposure
In the UK UV can be high even on cloudy days so it can be tough to know when protection is needed. UV tends to be highest between 11 am and 3 pm between mid-April and October but, of course, this can vary. If you’re planning to spend lots of time outside, it’s always a good idea to try and sit in the shade where you can and to take protective creams with you when you’re on the go.
