Safe and well this summer - fun in the sun

Whilst it may be nice to sit outside and tan, the repercussions may not be so nice as skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancers and can be fatal.

Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) is of at least 15 and that it has at least a four-star UVA protection. When it comes to sunscreen, you can never be too safe, always check the label. This applies to bottles you may already have hidden away, sunscreen should not be used past its expiry date and whilst typically, sunscreen has a shelf life of two to three years  It’s important to cover your body in the right amount of sunscreen as most people don’t apply enough. If sunscreen is applied in a thin manner, the amount of protection will be limited. Even if your sunscreen says “water resistant”, apply once more if you’ve been swimming as towelling and sweating can result in your sunscreen being rubbed off.

Ditch the shorts and instead opt for trousers or long skirts in close-weave fabrics that don’t allow sunlight through, alongside a loose, long-sleeved cotton top as these clothing options will provide sun protection.

Don’t forget your wide-brimmed hat to ensure that your face, neck and ears are protected!

Wear UV sunglasses to reduce UV exposure to the eyes as not having proper eye protection can result in a temporary yet painful burn to the surface of the eye. Be sure to check that your pair carries the CE mark (you can check the label) and that children’s sunglasses meet the British Standard too.

You should take extra precautions in the midday sun – the sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm. During this time period, you should avoid spending time in the direct sunlight but instead choose to spend time in the shade to avoid getting sunburn.

If you or a family member do catch the sun and result in becoming sunburnt, a few tips to erase the pain and treat the sunburn is to sponge the skin with cool water, after doing this – soothe with after sun or calamine lotion. You can take medication to help ease the pain as painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce inflammation..