3 Steps to Sun Safety
UVA and UVB radiation from the sun can cause damage to skin cells, increasing the risks of skin cancer in addition to accelerating ageing. The most common sign of sun damage is a tan; UV penetrates the middle layer of your skin and in response to this, your melanocytes (melanin-producing cells) produce more melanin. This then gets transported to the surface of your skin to protect it. Sunburn can also occur, leading to redness, pain and blistering. Repeat exposure to sunlight in childhood and recurrent burns can increase the risk of skin cancer developing later on in life. Children’s skin is also thinner and more sensitive than adults’ skin so extra caution has to be exercised.
As UV can pass through glass and cloud, sun protection is important year round, no matter what the weather. Three steps to protect against the sun:
- Cover up with protective clothing.
People of all ages should be covering up exposed parts with suitable clothing – wide brim hat, long sleeved top, trousers/long skirt in fabric that does not allow sunlight through and sunglasses to protect their eyes.
- Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreen is not suitable for babies under 6 months so protective clothing and keeping them out of direct sunlight are the main ways of protecting them from the sun.
In babies older than six months, the best type of sunscreen is a broad spectrum sunscreen (UVA and B protection). It should have at least 4-star UVA protection and a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 to protect against UVB. Mineral sunscreens (containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are preferable to chemical sunscreens as they are gentler on skin and deflect rather than absorb UV.
Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going out and then reapplied just before leaving the house. It should be applied to all exposed skin and should be reapplied every two hours and after sweating, swimming, towel drying or exercising. This is to ensure optimum coverage is maintained and to prevent sunburns. It is important also to remember that you should not spend any longer in the sun than you would without sunscreen.
- Seek the shade.
Seek the shade between 11-3pm when the sun is strongest
