Staying Safe in the Sun

As the weather gets warmer and the days are longer, we all want to be outdoors. Everyone loves to catch a tan but the damaging affects can be detrimental.

How can the sun be harmful?

Sun exposure namely, Ultraviolet (UV) beams are invisible rays which can reach you from direct exposure, reflecting off surfaces such as water and even through glass. Sun exposure can cause sun burn, premature ageing (i.e, wrinkles) and skin cancer. Skin cancer is most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United Kingdom – about 86% Of all skin cancers in the UK are attributed to excessive exposure to sunlight.

More than 16,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year – the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Poor sun protective behaviour, especially for those travelling abroad is thought to be the cause of the steep increase.

So lets explore ways to stay safe in the sun…

Avoid Peak Hours

To stay safe in the sun, you don’t have to completely shield yourself away. However it is advisable to protect more robustly in certain hours of the day. The time between 10 am to 4 pm is when the sun’s rays are the most harshest. If possible it is best to stay out of direct sunlight.

It is important to remember even if it is a cloudy day the UV index may still be high. It is in good practice to use a UV index (commonly found on most weather apps) to help plan your day.

Essential Tips

  • Never skip sunscreen. Did you know UV rays can even reach you in your home. Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher. It is good to adopt it into your everyday morning routine. Put it on 20 to 30 minutes before leaving and reapply at least every 2 hours to be safe. For people who are conscious about their make up there are also aerosol alternatives that can be applied over your makeup.

  • Wear Sunglasses. Not wearing sunglasses can increase your risk of developing eye problems such as cataracts. It is important to protect your eyes with a good pair of UV rated sunglasses.

  • Wear protective clothing. Wearing long sleeves, pants and big hats are further ways to reduce exposure. If possible you can even purchase sun protective clothing.

  • Umbrellas are great. A recent study found that UV rated umbrellas blocked between 77 to 99% of UV radiation. Black umbrella did even better by blocking out at least 90% of rays. It is important not to use an umbrella as a substitute for sunscreen, as UV rays can be reflected from even the ground. Instead, they should be used simultaneously.

  • Try to avoid direct sunlight. When planning events try to do it early morning or later in the day. If that’s not an option try to find shade.

  • Avoid Tanning. Tanning bed and sunlamps are equally as harmful. Tanning in general is damaging to our skin. Whether your skin tans or burns is dictated by how much melanin pigment you have. The reason tanning is considered a response to skin injury is because it is your skins way of trying to protect itself from UV radiation. However, it doesn’t protect you from all UV radiation, especially UVA which penetrates very deeply into your skin.

Skin Examination

In addition to the previous steps, sometimes sun exposure is inevitable. Therefore, its helpful to be aware of your skin type and have regular examinations. Some skin types are more prone to skin cancers. Looking out for changes such as skin marking, moles, bumps, scaly spot or places where skin has changed colour is a good place to start. If you find a mole, keep close eye on changes of size, colour, texture and size.

It is advisable to get a professional examinations from a dermatologist at least once a year. If you notice any moles or changes to your skin you should immediately contact your GP.

We are here to help

Here at the Harley Street Healthcare Clinic, we have a team of world class dermatologist and doctors that can help with any skin related enquires.

We are available Monday – Friday 9am to 8pm. Contact us to request specialist help.

Email: info@harleystreet104.com

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7935 6554

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