This year’s campaign focus will be on the need for sun protection in the UK climate, aiming to tackle misconceptions that sun protection is rarely needed here.
The Solar UV Index shows how much solar radiation is reaching us from the sun and how careful we need to be. Ultraviolet (UV) levels vary with the seasons and time of day, but when the UV index is three or above we need to protect our skin and eyes, so it’s important to know what the UV index is going to be throughout the day where you are.
Denise McCallion, Health Improvement Manager at the PHA, said: “Sunlight is important for our overall health and wellbeing. However, too much UV radiation from the sun can cause damage to the skin and lead to skin cancer. In fact, according to the charity Skcin, around 90% of all skin cancers are caused by over-exposure to UV radiation from the sun and/or sunbeds. This means that the majority of all skin cancers are preventable by undertaking simple sun protection measures.
“In Northern Ireland the UV levels are often 3 or more, even on cool or cloudy days, and the rays from the sun can be strong enough to damage our skin and eyes. Your skin is damaged by sun exposure over your lifetime, whether you burn or not. So, as the days get longer and the sun gets stronger, it is important for everyone to spend time in the shade, cover up and wear hats and sunglasses, and get the best use from your sunscreen to help protect your skin from cancer."
Doreen Regan, Skin Cancer Prevention Coordinator at Cancer Focus NI, said that it’s important to remember the care in the sun messages both at home and abroad: “Everyone is at risk of UV damage, but certain groups are particularly at risk including babies and children, those with fair hair and skin, outdoor workers and people with a family history of skin cancer. Just one episode of sunburn, especially in childhood, can double the lifetime risk of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.”
When choosing sunscreen, it’s important to get one that offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays which can speed up skin ageing, cause burning and increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
To reduce your exposure to UVB rays, your sunscreen should be at least SPF15, but higher SPF (Sun Protection Factor) will give more protection. Also make sure it has a UVA rating of 4 or 5 stars, or displays the EU logo for UVA protection.
How you apply your sunscreen also affects how well it protects you. Most people don’t apply enough sunscreen to achieve the stated levels for SPF and UVA protection for the product.
To maximise protection against UV damage, at least six full teaspoonfuls of sunscreen lotion are needed for an all over body application for an average adult, which is more than half a teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm, over half a teaspoon for the face and neck (including the ears), and just over one teaspoon for the front of your body, just over one teaspoon for the back of your body, and just over one teaspoon for each leg.
To give a good level of protection, sunscreen needs to be applied generously 30 minutes before you go outdoors, then reapplied every two hours or more frequently after swimming, sweating, or towelling the skin.
To find out more visit www.careinthesun.org/sunscreen
Most mobile phone weather apps now display the current UV in your area so check this out before heading out.
If you are concerned about skin cancer you can call the Cancer Focus NI free information and support NurseLine on 0800 783 3339 or email one of the charity’s nurses on nurseline@cancerfocusni.org
Even here in Northern Ireland, it’s crucial that we keep ourselves protected from the sun at all times.
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Myth 1: We don’t need to use sunscreen in Northern Ireland.
Many people think if the sun is not splitting the trees, sun protection isn’t required! This is not true. Even on cool or cloudy days in Northern Ireland we need to protect our skin against UV rays as these still filter through the clouds.
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Myth 2: You only need to worry about skin damage if you get severe sunburn.
This is false. UV damage can start before your skin tans or burns. The UV index tells us how much UV radiation is reaching us from the sun and when the index is at 3 or more, we need to protect our skin and eyes.
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Myth 3: The sun in Northern Ireland is not strong enough to damage your skin.
This is not true. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Northern Ireland and 4 out of 5 cases are due to overexposure to UV rays. Between March and October, UV rays from the sun can be strong enough to damage your skin even when it is cool or cloudy.
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Myth 4: My skin doesn’t burn so I don’t need to worry about sun safety.
All skin needs protection. Anyone can develop skin cancer, whatever their skin type. If you work outside or spend a lot of time outdoors, you might think your skin is tougher and doesn’t need protection, but UV damage can still occur.
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Myth 5: Having tanned skin looks healthy.
Having tanned skin shows that your skin has been damaged in the short term. The longer-term effects of UV damage, whether or not you get sunburn, can be premature ageing of the skin, deeper wrinkles, uneven skin pigmentation, age spots, sun spots and an increased risk of skin cancer.
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Myth 6: Sunbeds are a good way to get a base tan this summer.
A tan from a sunbed or from the sun is a sign that the skin has been damaged by UV rays and is not a sign of good health. Tanning without a sunburn can still cause premature skin ageing and increase the risk of skin cancer through irreparable DNA damage. Each time skin is exposed to UV rays from the sun or from a sunbed, the risk of developing skin cancer is increased.
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Myth 7: Sunscreen is water resistant and should be applied only once a day.
Despite what the packaging states, sunscreen should be applied every two hours, or more frequently if sweating, towelling, or in water. At least six full teaspoonfuls of sunscreen lotion are needed for an all over body application for an average adult.
Before going out into the sun, remember:
- Choose a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or more to protect against UVB, and 4 or 5 stars to protect against UVA.
- Ensure you apply plenty of sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours after that and straight after swimming, sweating or towel drying.
- Protect your skin with clothing, like a long-sleeved top to protect your arms, and don’t forget to wear a hat that protects your face, neck, and ears.
- Wear 100% UV protection sunglasses to protect your eyes and make sure you spend time in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the UV rays are at their strongest.
- Always keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight.
- Don’t forget to protect the most common missed spots of suncream which are eyelids, back of knees, ears, tops of feet, sides of face, hands, scalp, and lips.
It is never too late to start protecting your skin in the sun. Now is the time before the good weather kicks in to get a good routine in place to keep your skin looking good.
For more information regarding looking after your skin in the sun visit www.careinthesun.org.