Sun Awareness: Keeping your skin protected!

As summer approaches soon, it is important to have a look at how we can protect our skin from the ultraviolet radiations emitted from the Sun. 

With Sun Awareness week being from May 3^rd - 9^th this year, here is some information we collated to ensure that you are getting the best protection possible!

Sun burn is an acute inflammatory response of the skin due to overexposure to sunlight. Your skin becomes red, hot, and sore then eventually flake and peel over the next few days and eventually from heals after several days. Getting sun burnt can be painful and uncomfortable if really severe and is not worth risking for a golden tan! It is important to note that you can still be exposed to UV rays even when it is cloudy, so the best way to protect yourself is to wear sunscreen everyday, even if the sun isn't out. 

One of the reasons for having good sun protection habits is to decrease your risk of getting skin cancer, which is caused by your skin absorbing ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and damaging the genetic material in your skin cells. It’s important to get a good balance of Vitamin D from sunlight but also protecting yourself from the sun.

I have sunburn! What do I do now?

The best way to ease a sun burn is to get out of the sun immediately and cool the area with a cool damp cloth, a cool shower, or a cool bath. Apply an after-sun cream product that will soothe the skin, such as products with aloe vera. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and to help cool your body down. If there is soreness or any pain, take some pain killers. Try not to expose the skin to direct sunlight until fully healed.

Never use petroleum jelly as a treatment to sunburnt skin. Never put ice on the area as this can shock the skin in that area. Never pop blisters or scratch at the peeling skin. Never wear tight-fitting clothes when sunburnt as its best to let the area breathe.

It is important to note that there is no safe or healthy way to get a tan, from either the sun or a sunbed/lamp. These are more dangerous compared to the sun as they use a concentrated source of UV radiation, which results in skin cancer, premature aging, irritation in the eyes, and sunburnt skin.

Safety in the Sun

Always try to find shade, especially when the sun is at the strongest point of the day which is usually 11am – 3pm.

• Make sure you do not burn.
• Cover up with suitable clothing to protect your skin, sunglasses to protect your eyes and a hat to protect your scalp.
• Also use a sunscreen with at least SPF30.

Sunscreen alone will not protect your skin, suitable clothing and being in the shade is the best practice!

What sunscreen is best?

Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is a measure of the amount of UVB protection. (ultraviolet B radiation). Sunscreen comes in various scales between 2 -50+ with 50+ being the strongest at offering protection. Picking a sunscreen with a high factor is good but you also need to choose a sunscreen that has ultraviolet A (UVA) protection too, which is rated on a 5-star basis. Like SPF, the higher the star, the better protection it provides!

How much sunscreen do I need put on?

It is important to note that most people do not apply enough sunscreen. It is recommended that 2mg is of sunscreen is needed per square centimetre of skin, which is roughly two tablespoons for your whole body. If you do not apply enough, you are not protected from the sun rays. You can always use a higher SPF sunscreen if you feel that you do not put enough on for more protection.

Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin and do not forget to apply it to the front and back of your ears. Don't forget your scalp too!

Always apply liberally sunscreen 30 minutes before leaving the house and apply sunscreen frequently every two hours. Reapply if you have been in water and swimming, sweated it off or rubbed it off when towel drying.

For further reading and guidance: 

Sunscreen and sun safety - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

5 things you didn’t know about sunscreen. - Altruist Sun

UV Camera Reveals The Best Way to Apply Sunscreen to Your Face | Gizmodo - YouTube