The sun is shining, the heat is rising and you’re ready to hit the beach and top up your tan. Stop!
Are you going out in the midday sun? Have you applied sunscreen? Are you wearing a hat and sunglasses? If your answer is ‘no’ then you are putting yourself at risk of skin cancer, no matter what colour your complexion is.

Written by Sheridan Powell

It is important to remember to stay safe in the sun, whether you’re staying in the UK or travelling abroad, as the suns rays can affect your skin, even on a cloudy day.
 
The Tan
The tanning (or burning effect) takes place when the sun activates a substance in your skin cells called melanin. Everyone forms melanin at a different rate which is why some people burn quicker than others. In order to protect yourself from lasting skin damage you must wear sunscreen when out and about in the sun. Factor 15 is suitable for most people, but children and people with sensitive skin should wear a higher factor. Use about two tablespoons of sunscreen for your whole body. Remember to keep your eyes protected and apply sun lotion to your face as this area burns more easily, particularly on the forehead and nose.
 
The Rays
The sun emits two types of rays – UVA and UVB. UVB rays burn the topmost layer of the skin, causing sunburn. The SPF protection shown on the sunscreen bottle measure the filter against this ray. UVA rays penetrate deeper under the skin and cause skin cancer. The number of stars on the sunscreen indicates the protection it has against UVA. It is important to keep reapplying sunscreen during the day to ensure you get the full SPF protection, particularly if you are going swimming. Also, use after sun as this helps to re-hydrate your skin and provide a cool soothing effect, as well as helping to maintain your tan.

The Sunbed
There has been much controversy over the use of sunbeds, their suitably for under 16s and the message they give out to women and men of all ages. The fact is the intensity of sunbed UV rays can be up to 10 times the intensity of the midday sun. This artificial light also has none of the benefit of Vitamin D which can be gained from natural sunlight, but poses a much higher risk of deadly melanoma cells. Scotland has already banned the use
of sunbeds for under 18s.
 
Detecting Skin Cancer
Moles are often a sign of skin damage, so if you notice any or the following signs, no matter what your age or skin colour, you should visit your doctor.

Asymmetry - The two halves of your mole do not look the same.
Border – The edges of your mole are irregular, blurred or jagged.
Colour – Uneven. More than one shade.
Diameter – Your mole is wider than 6mm in diameter (the size of a pencil eraser).

FACT! – Skin cancer is most common in under 30s. More than 10,400 cases are diagnosed in the UK every year and the incidence of melanoma has gone up by more than four times since the 1970s.

FACT! – We all have our own tanning limits. No matter how much UV you receive there comes a point when your skin won’t get any darker.

For more information check out: www.sunsmart.org.uk and www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk