5 ways to protect yourself from the sun this summer

The BBC reported that there has been a rise in malignant melanoma cases in the elderly. Over 900 people over the age of 55 in Scotland have been diagnosed with the dangerous form of skin cancer, which is shocking when you take into consideration the overall number of cases across all ages is 1300  – that’s just under 70%. The rise in those being diagnosed is thought to be linked to the rise in cheap package holidays since the 1960s . Regardless of your age skin protection is important, but after a lifetime of radiation from the sun, the elderly are especially prone to skin damage. Here are 5 tips for you to take into consideration when you’re off on your summer holiday, festival weekend or afternoon in the garden in the coming weeks here in the UK.

1. Sun Cream
It might sound trivial, but sun cream is essential. Even though it is common knowledge that sun cream protects you from the harmful rays of the sun, many people don’t wear it. 95% of all melanoma cases are caused by too much UV radiation from the sun, something that could be solved by simply covering your body in sun cream. This isn’t to say that it stops melanoma, but it greatly reduces the chances of it.

2. Never sleep in the sun
Many people like to sleep in the sun, go to any holiday resort and you are bound to see sunbed loungers taking a quick nap. This is something you shouldn’t do. Falling asleep in the sun gives you no measure of how long you’ve been exposed to UV rays, it can also leave you dehydrated and ill – leading to sunstroke. If you want to have a kip, find somewhere with some shade; or better yet, go jump into bed.

3. Hydration
To say staying hydrated is important is an understatement. But this statement rings even truer when staying out in the sun too long. Your body works hard when in the sun, it has to try and regulate your body temperature to keep your from overheating – and all this uses a lot of liquid! Those who stay in the sun far too long are prone to sunstroke and other dehydration related illnesses. It’s currently festival season, so there are going to be lots of people spending all day in the sun drinking alcohol. Make sure you stay hydrated between drinks of alcohol as you really don’t want to come down with sunstroke as your favourite band headlines the main stage.

4. Sunglasses
This may sound like another really obvious one, but it’s still worth mentioning. The sun is pretty bright; it produces energy equal to about a trillion one megaton bombs. So it’s advised that you shouldn’t look at it. Not only will it really hurt your eyes, it could also lead to permanent damage. Even with sunglasses on, you shouldn’t go peering into the sun.

5. Cover Up
The sun can’t damage your skin if you are wearing lots of clothes, we’re not saying you should go out wearing a full three-piece suit down the beach, but just always have something to cover yourself up if needed. Take a spare t-shirt, a kaftan or maybe a loose fitting jacket or shirt. This gives you the option to cover up if the sun has taken its toll on you