Tips to stay safe
Sunshine has been shown to improve our mood and makes us feel good.
But too much sun can be bad for us. This is because the sun gives off harmful rays of radiation called Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB). These rays beat down and can cause harmful, long-lasting changes to our skin.
Follow these handy tips to help you stay safe in the sun whether you're at home or on holiday.
Sunscreen
Use sunscreen with:
- a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. This protects the skin from the sun’s UVB rays
- a high star rating of 4 or 5 stars. This protects the skin from the sun’s UVA rays. UVA protection can also be shown by the letters UVA in a circle
The brand of sunscreen you buy doesn’t matter as long as it has at least SPF 30, and 4 or 5 stars. Put sunscreen on any skin that is not covered by clothing. Make sure you put lots on and reapply every 2 hours. Put more on after swimming. If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is reduced.
As a guide, Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance recommends adults should aim to apply around:
- 2 teaspoons of sunscreen if you’re just covering your head, arms and neck
- 2 tablespoons of sunscreen if you’re covering your entire body while wearing a swimming costume
To make sure you never burn, keep a handy-sized bottle of sunscreen with you so that you’ll always have some to hand.
Don’t get caught out at home; the sun can be strong in the UK as well as abroad, so it’s not just when you’re on holiday that you need to think about protecting your skin in the sun. Use Cancer Research UK's UV index information to find out how strong the sun’s UV rays are. If it's 3 or above you should protect your skin from the sun.
Spend time in the shade
If your shadow is shorter than you are, then the sun is strong. The sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm. Try to spend time in the shade during these times.
Clothing
Wear a hat, t-shirt and sunglasses when the sun is strong. A wide-brimmed hat, light long-sleeved top and trousers or maxi dress will help to protect your skin.
Choose sunglasses that have the CE Mark and British Standard, have a UV 400 label and offer 100% UV protection.
Know your skin
If you have lots of moles or freckles, you have a higher risk of developing skin cancer, so you need to take extra care.
Keep an eye out for changes to your skin and tell your doctor of any changes.
Common myths about sun safety
"You don't need sunscreen on cloudy days"; UV rays can go through clouds, so wear sunscreen even when it's cloudy
"Dark skin doesn't need sunscreen"; dark skin can still get hurt by UV rays. Everyone should use sunscreen
"You can't get sunburned in the water"; UV rays can go through water, so you can get sunburned while swimming. Use waterproof sunscreen
"Sunscreen is only for the beach"; UV rays can hurt you anywhere, not just at the beach. Use sunscreen whenever you're outside
"One application of sunscreen is enough"; sunscreen needs to be put on again every 2 hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating
For more information about sunscreen and sun safety, you can visit: