Summer is upon us (in theory at least) and that means more time outdoors, enjoying those precious moments of decent weather. But just because we may have forgotten what sunshine looks like, doesn’t mean we should forget the damage that can occur if our skin is overexposed to the sun.
Because as well as sunburn and premature ageing, excess sun exposure is the number one cause of skin cancers, including melanoma – the most serious form. In fact, an estimated eight out of 10 cases of melanoma are linked to excess sun or UV light exposure.
So with the sun out, we thought we’d clear up 12 common myths around sun safety to help you keep your skin healthy and reduce your risk of serious damage.
Myth #1: ‘Sunscreen is the best way to protect myself from too much sun’
Image credit: flickr
When it comes to protecting your skin, there’s much more to think about than just sunscreen – much more. Sunscreen shouldn’t even be the first thing you think about. Making sure you spend time in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm in the UK summer – as well as abroad -, and covering up with clothing, a hat and sunglasses are much better ways to enjoy the sun safely. Sunscreen is best used as a supporting act to protect the bits you can’t cover. Use one that has at least SPF15 and 4 or more stars; put plenty on and reapply regularly.
Myth #2: ‘Tanned skin is a sign of good health’
No it’s not – a tan is a sign that your skin is trying to protect itself from the damage the sun is doing – it’s certainly not a sign of good health. And any pink- or redness, even if your skin isn’t raw or blistered, is a clear sign that the genetic material (DNA) in skin cells has been damaged. This kind of damage can build up over time and cause skin cancer. Cancer Research UK would like to see more people celebrate their natural skin tone #OwnYourTone
Myth #3: ‘I can’t get sunburnt on cloudy days’
Yes you can – UV rays can go through clouds, so cloudy and even rainy days can be deceiving. If it’s overcast or if there’s a bit of wind you may also not notice that you’re getting sunburnt before it’s too late. The UV Index can help you check how strong the sun will be on a given day – if it’s 3 or above the sun’s strong enough to cause sunburn, especially in people who burn easily and/or have fair skin.
Myth #4: ‘Sunscreen that’s more expensive offers better protection’
Image credit: flickr
The most important thing is actually the SPF and star rating, rather than price or brand. In tests by Which? cheaper brands performed as well as more expensive ones, and the majority of products provided the level of protection advertised on the bottle. But no matter the price, what’s most important to remember is to put on enough sunscreen and to reapply it regularly. And that even goes for once-a-day sunscreens.
Myth #5: ‘Dark skinned people don’t get sunburnt’
Anyone can get sunburnt – including dark skinned people. But different people will have a different risk of sunburn depending on their skin type. Generally in the UK people with fairer skin are at higher risk of sunburn whereas people with darker skin are more likely to have low vitamin D – so it’s a good idea to know your skin type and when you’ll need to protect yourself.
Myth #6: ‘SPF in my makeup is enough’
Image credit: flickr
Sadly it’s not. Even if your makeup label claims to offer sun protection, you’d need to apply several times the normal amount of foundation to get even close to the level of protection stated on the bottle – and let’s face it: that just wouldn’t look good. And you’re also highly unlikely to reapply makeup regularly enough; so using makeup with SPF is not the same as putting on sunscreen.
Myth #7: ‘I need to get as much sun as possible to get enough vitamin D’
While it’s true that we all need a bit of sun to make vitamin D, for most people brief, casual exposure to the sun allows the body to make enough, so there’s no need to sunbathe or risk sunburn. And once you’ve made enough, your body will just start to break down any extra vitamin D that’s made – so spending even longer in the sun won’t help.
Myth #8: ‘The sun in the UK isn’t strong enough to give me sunburn’
It can be – especially between March and October. It’s easy to underestimate how strong the sun can be here and get caught out. In fact, a 2016 survey by Cancer Research UK and Nivea Sun showed that more than 8 in 10 British people have got sunburnt in the UK. Check the UV Index or use the ‘shadow rule’ to work out whether the sun is strong – simply look at your shadow and if it’s shorter than your height this means that the sun’s UV rays are strong.
Myth #9: ‘Sunscreens need to protect you from infrared rays too’
Image credit: flickr
A number of sunscreens now offer protection from infrared rays. But when it comes to skin cancer risk, infrared protection isn’t important – it’s UV rays that matter. So there’s no need to fork out extra for sunscreen that protects from infrared if you don’t want to. Just make sure your sunscreen offers at least SPF15 and 4 or more stars for UV protection.
Myth #10: ‘A tan protects my skin from sun damage’
A tan only offers a sun protection factor (SPF) of around 3 – not nearly enough to protect yourself from sun damage. There is no such thing as a safe tan.
Myth #11: ‘I’ve been sunburnt before, so there’s no point in protecting myself now – the damage is already done’
Nope! First of all, your body has sophisticated repair mechanisms that can fix some of the damage that is done when you get sunburnt. Unfortunately, those repair mechanisms aren’t perfect and with every sunburn, damage builds up, increasing your risk of skin cancer. But because this damage is cumulative – rather than a one-time event – it’s never too late to start protecting yourself.
Myth #12: ‘Aftersun products repair the damage done by sunburn’
Image credit: flickr
No they don’t. While aftersun products may soothe the unpleasant symptoms of sunburn, they won’t fix any damage that was done to the DNA inside your cells. So if you notice that your skin is starting to go red, seek shade and cover up immediately. Don’t spend more time in the sun that day – even with sunscreen – and don’t rely on aftersun to fix the damage.
Jana
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Ann June 22, 2016
Very helpful and informative!
Carol Jones June 22, 2016
Very informative easy read
Researcher Mr,Md.Syedur Rahman Chowdhury June 22, 2016
Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face.
Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:
A pearly or waxy bump
A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears and hands. People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren’t often exposed to the sun.
Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:
A firm, red nodule
A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
Melanoma signs and symptoms
Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that becomes cancerous. Melanoma most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that hasn’t been exposed to the sun.
Melanoma can affect people of any skin tone. In people with darker skin tones, melanoma tends to occur on the palms or soles, or under the fingernails or toenails.
Melanoma signs include:
A large brownish spot with darker speckles
A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black
Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus
Signs and symptoms of less common skin cancers
Other, less common types of skin cancer include:
Kaposi sarcoma. This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin’s blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes.
Kaposi sarcoma mainly occurs in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS, and in people taking medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who’ve undergone organ transplants.
Other people with an increased risk of Kaposi sarcoma include young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern European Jewish heritage.
Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck and trunk.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma. This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinomas — which usually appear as hard, painless nodules — can develop anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid, where they’re frequently mistaken for other eyelid problems.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any changes to your skin that worry you. Not all skin changes are caused by skin cancer. Your doctor will investigate your skin changes to determine a cause.
Researcher Mr,Md.Syedur Rahman Chowdhury June 22, 2016
Basal cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs in sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your neck or face.
Basal cell carcinoma may appear as:
A pearly or waxy bump
A flat, flesh-colored or brown scar-like lesion
Squamous cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
Most often, squamous cell carcinoma occurs on sun-exposed areas of your body, such as your face, ears and hands. People with darker skin are more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma on areas that aren’t often exposed to the sun.
Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as:
A firm, red nodule
A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
Melanoma signs and symptoms
Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that becomes cancerous. Melanoma most often appears on the face or the trunk of affected men. In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can occur on skin that hasn’t been exposed to the sun.
Melanoma can affect people of any skin tone. In people with darker skin tones, melanoma tends to occur on the palms or soles, or under the fingernails or toenails.
Melanoma signs include:
A large brownish spot with darker speckles
A mole that changes in color, size or feel or that bleeds
A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black
Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus
Signs and symptoms of less common skin cancers
Other, less common types of skin cancer include:
Kaposi sarcoma. This rare form of skin cancer develops in the skin’s blood vessels and causes red or purple patches on the skin or mucous membranes.
Kaposi sarcoma mainly occurs in people with weakened immune systems, such as people with AIDS, and in people taking medications that suppress their natural immunity, such as people who’ve undergone organ transplants.
Other people with an increased risk of Kaposi sarcoma include young men living in Africa or older men of Italian or Eastern European Jewish heritage.
Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma causes firm, shiny nodules that occur on or just beneath the skin and in hair follicles. Merkel cell carcinoma is most often found on the head, neck and trunk.
Sebaceous gland carcinoma. This uncommon and aggressive cancer originates in the oil glands in the skin. Sebaceous gland carcinomas — which usually appear as hard, painless nodules — can develop anywhere, but most occur on the eyelid, where they’re frequently mistaken for other eyelid problems.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any changes to your skin that worry you. Not all skin changes are caused by skin cancer. Your doctor will investigate your skin changes to
Paul June 22, 2016
I think this information should ( if it is not already) be taught in all our schools.
Malcolm June 22, 2016
A very good informative article. If only we had this information when I was a child.
Bet Filby June 22, 2016
This is really good stuff and worth remembering. I don’t think we will ever convince people that a tan is not a “good” look though! You still hear them say things like “don’t you look well?” and “you look really healthy!”. I’m trying to stay “pale and interesting”!!
Ian Brough June 22, 2016
Valuable informationm
Lisa Tripp June 22, 2016
Brilliant advice.
Jan June 22, 2016
Clothing can have spf too, especially sports/ outdoor shirts etc. Look for the label.
Michael Mason June 22, 2016
Excellent advise
Ron F June 22, 2016
great tip reminders Yess cover up
sue davies June 22, 2016
Brilliant and very informative. Thank you for clearing up the myths of sunburn. Lets hope people read and educate themselves as it could save their lives
Mhairi June 22, 2016
Great article. Only thing I’d add is that mineral sunscreens will damage your skin less than traditional non mineral sun creams (which contain chemicals which can add to cell damage and have had proven links to some types of cancer)
Sue Lloyd June 22, 2016
Good, sound advice. Easy to read and understand.
Des Pedlow June 22, 2016
Excellent – absolutely clear and to the point.
Frances June 22, 2016
Very helpful and informative thank you xx
Mr Peter Blatchford June 22, 2016
I spent my days in the sun factor 2 sun oil 8am-6pm virtually everyday now my complete back is covered in what the G.P. says are warts i have moles on the side of my neck going right up the side of my face.
Gil June 22, 2016
@ Katie Isbester
The only part of the link that is needed is, http://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2016/06/10/12-sun-safety-myths-debunked
jill parks June 22, 2016
Extremely worthwhile information that people should know about – thank you and well done!
Alan Headland June 22, 2016
Extremely enlightening.
Katie Isbester June 22, 2016
I tried to share this article on twitter but you have not got a shortened code so there is no room for me to comment on it. So I didn’t do it. Please upgrade your social media.
Thanks .
Claire June 22, 2016
Good information, but it is important to point that not all clothing provides adequate protection against the sun.
Christine Lowe June 22, 2016
Great advice if only we knew this when i was younger.keep up the good work in your fight against skin cancer.Thanks to research and trials im still here after having malignant melanoma diagnosed.Good work and thank you
Jane June 23, 2016
Good advice, but I would like to know which sun protection products your society would recommend!