Sun safety do's and don'ts

Research has revealed skin cancer to be the most common cancer in the UK, and it is rising to epidemic proportions. This year, during Sun Awareness Week (May 9-15), take a moment to familiarise yourself with the do's and don'ts of sun safety:

Get your factor right! 

Apply a minimum of factor 15 if you have medium to dark skin, rising to factor 50 if your skin is lighter or more delicate (as with children).

The more, the merrier

Sweat and water can dilute sun cream, so reapply regularly to dry skin. Remember, even 'waterproof/water resistant' creams are removed by towel drying.

Mad dogs and Englishmen...

You know the saying! Spend time in the shade between 11 am and 3 pm, and avoid the mid-day sun altogether (12pm-2pm).

Keep covered up

Keeping the kids out of the sun can be a challenge, so cover them up with a t-shirt – even when swimming – and make sure they wear a hat and sunglasses. Oh, and don’t forget to lead by example!

Don’t be fooled

Just because it’s not sunny doesn’t mean you can’t burn. People are often lulled into a false sense of security by a cloudy sky and a cooling breeze, but the sun’s rays can still burn through.

Springtime sun 

Take care in spring and early summer when skin isn’t used to the sun. Lots of people get caught out really early on in the season because they believe the sun is too weak to actually burn them - wrong!

Don’t get caught short

We all know how changeable the weather can be in the UK, so keep a supply of sun cream on standby, just in case the sun decides to show its face.