Protecting your skin from the sun
We all know that taking care of your skin and using sun cream is the right thing to do, but do you know why?
Sunlight contains rays of UVA and UVB light (also UVC, but this isn’t really an issue in the Northern hemisphere). UVA causes skin ageing, while UVB causes sunburn. Both cause skin cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 12,000 cases diagnosed each year1.
So - how do you keep your skin ‘sun safe’? The Irish Cancer Society has some brilliant advice. Firstly, take the skin type quiz here. This will tell you what type of skin you have, and how likely you are to suffer skin damage.
Secondly, use the Sun Smart Code.
1. Seek shade - particularly during the hours between 11.00 and 15.00, and be aware of sunlight reflected from water or windows.
2. Slip on some clothes - protect your skin by wearing long sleeves, long trousers and shirts with collars. Some clothing even offers UV protection built in - check the manufacturer’s information closely though. Don’t forget shoes!
3. Slap on a hat - protect your face, neck and ears with a broad brimmed hat. Baseball caps aren’t great as they don’t protect your neck or ears, but they are better than nothing.
4. Wear sunglasses - preferably wrap around ones, with UV protection. Talk to your optician if you can, and look for the following standards in the product info - ISO 12312, EN 1836 or BS 27241987
5. Use sunscreen - The big question - which one is best?
The short answer is they are all good, as long as they are used correctly. There are a million different types, and picking one can be difficult. Talk to your local pharmacy staff about the options, and keep the following tips in mind.
Buy a broad spectrum sun cream, with a high SPF to protect against UVB (minimum 30) and high UVA protection (look for the word ‘high’ or four or five stars in a circle)
You will need 35ml for each application. That’s half a teaspoon for the face, neck and ears; half a teaspoon for each arm; one teaspoon for each leg, the front of the body and the back of the body.
Reapply every two hours. That’s every TWO HOURS for those not listening.
Reapply more often if you are sweating or swimming. Some sun creams are water resistant, but none are water proof. They are certainly not towel proof so reapply if you use a towel.
Check the use by date! This is important because they get less effective over time.
Apply your own sun cream before you do the kids - you’ll forget to do yourself, but you won’t forget your kids.
35ml every two hours is more than you think - make sure you have enough.
6. Check the UV index on https://www.met.ie/uv-index every day for an indication of how dangerous the sun is.
Questions!
What about kids?
The same advice applies. Keep them out of the sun, cover them up and lather them in suncream. Keep babies under six months old out of the sun totally.
To find the right suncream for kids and babies, talk to your pharmacist, and try to get a sample to do a small ‘patch test’.
What about vitamin D?
We get vitamin D from the sun, but we only need 5-10 minutes a day, 2-3 times a week to the arms, face and neck to get enough Vitamin D.
Should I get a base layer of tan to protect myself?
Good God, no. Tanned skin is damaged skin, full stop.
Do sunscreens cause cancer?
No. There is no evidence that sunscreen or their ingredients cause cancer, despite decades of use and investigation.
Can sunbathing help with acne?
No. Although UV light is used in the treatment of some skin conditions, it is done in controlled environments by specialists. Sunbathing is not the same thing.
Have you other questions? Come and talk to us anytime, we are all trained in skin protection and are happy to help.
References