Spotlight on: Summer skin

Spotlight on Summer skin

W i t h s u m m e r f a s t a p p r o a c h i n g , i t ’s t i m e t o s w o t u p o n w h a t a l l t h a t s u n s h i n e c a n d o t o o u r s k i n – a n d h o w w e c a n p r o t e c t i t

After months of grey weather, it’s great to welcome back some sun. But before rushing outside, it’s worth remembering that along with all the benefits (hello, vitamin D and mental health wins), the sun’s rays can do a fair bit of damage too.

As well as premature ageing and eye damage, there’s the more serious risk of skin cancer. Caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, there are two types of damaging rays – UVA and UVB – and they can affect anyone, young or old, fairskinned or dark-skinned. This is why it’s so important to take sun safety seriously.

It’s especially crucial when it comes to children’s skin, as Dr Walayat Hussain, skin cancer specialist at the British Association of Dermatologists, explains. ‘What you do in your formative years can have a massive impact on your risk later on in life,’ he says. ‘There seems to be a skin memory, and that’s why getting burnt or blistered in your youth is more damaging.’

While you can’t undo the damage done in those early years, it is possible to stop it getting worse – and to protect the next generation. So as May marks Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about skin safety.

UP TO 90%

The ABCDE rule

Check your moles at home, following these easy guidelines:

A is for Asymmetry

Is the mole or skin lesion asymmetrical in shape, where one half of the mole is unlike the other?

B is for Border

Check for an irregular border on your mole. Is it scalloped, poorly defined or jagged?

C is for Colour and Comparison

Is there more than one colour in your mole, and does it look visibly different to your other moles?

D is for Diameter

Is the diameter of your mole bigger than 7mm (about the size of the end of a pencil)? However, bear in mind that most skin cancer starts smaller than this. It is important to check any lesion that is new, changing or unusual, regardless of size.

E is for Evolving

Is the mole or lesion evolving or changing size, shape or colour?

If you answer yes to any of the above, it’s worth having a checkup with your GP.

?Did you know…? You can get skin cancer in areas of the body that have never been exposed to the sun, such as the soles of the feet** .

‘Melanoma is the fifth most common ‘cancer in the UK, with around 16,700 cases diagnosed every year

SPF maths

SPF stands for ‘sun protection factor’ and describes sunscreen’s ability to protect your skin from damage by UVB rays. As a guide, if it takes 10 minutes for unprotected skin to turn red, using an SPF30 sunscreen theoretically protects for 30 times longer – ie five hours (30 x 10 mins = 300 mins). Sunscreen wears away, so you need to reapply it every couple of hours, and immediately after swimming** .

Wear sunscreen

Most people do not apply enough. An average adult should be applying around 2 teaspoons to head, arms and neck only. Up that to 2 tablespoons if you’re covering your entire body, like when wearing swimwear*** .

Zero tolerance

Babies under six months old have sensitive skin, so keep them out of direct sunlight completely*** .

Check it out

Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with around 16,700 cases diagnosed every year†. Caught early it’s easily treated, but if left late it can be fatal. If you’re worried about a mole or skin lesion, get it checked.

The good news

Around 90% of all skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun and/or sunbeds – that means that the majority of all skin cancers are preventable by undertaking simple sun safety measures* .

Prevention is best

Dr Hussain shares his tips for keeping sun damage at bay.

Wear sun cream that has a minimum of SPF30 and UVA3 star rating, daily between the months of March and September.

Stay out of direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm.

BAG SOME ESSENTIALS

1 Tesco Soleil Q10 Face Sun Cream SPF50 50ml, £2.40 (£4.80/100ml) 2 Tesco Soleil Dry Touch Sun Protection Mist SPF30 200ml, £3.60 (£1.80/100ml) 3 Tesco Soleil Kids Sensitive Sun Protection Lotion SPF50+ 200ml, £4 (£2/100ml)

Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and clothing that covers skin.

Know your skin type. Fair, freckly skin tends to be higher risk – but even dark skin can be affected.

Do not use sunbeds.

FOR MORE ADVICE

Worried about a mole or lesion? Book an appointment with your GP.