Sunbathing
Ultraviolet rays in sunlight can damage the body's cells.
Most of us love being outside in the summertime. Sunshine not only makes everything look better, it makes us feel good too. But ultraviolet (UV) rays in the sunlight can damage the cells in your body.
You should do everything you can to avoid getting burnt by the sun. This is because over time small amounts of sunburn damage can build up, which may lead to the development of skin cancer or melanoma.
Tanning and your skin
Tanning is a natural process. Your skin creates the brown-coloured pigment called melanin to protect it against the harmful UV rays in sunlight. This means even the lightest suntan is evidence of skin damage.
While a tan is your body's way of protecting itself against UV rays, if the damaged skin cells can't repair themselves, they can become cancerous. You should be particularly careful in spring when your skin is pale.
A tan doesn't guarantee that you will avoid skin cancer later on in life. Sun exposure is a key factor in skin cancer, and the number of cases has doubled over the last few decades.
How can you avoid sun damage?
But they are very sensitive to the sun's rays.
Keep kids out of the sun for the hottest parts of the day and protect them with a high SPF (30+).
Medicines
Consult your GP before sunbathing if you are taking any medication.
Skin type 1
You will not get a tan – any attempts will only cause skin damage, which may later develop into cancer.
Fine pale skin does not age as quickly as other skin types. Your tanned friends will get wrinkles long before you do.
Skin type 2
Even the highest SPF sunscreen with maximum UVA stars can't block out all the sun's harmful rays.
This is why you should stay in the shade or cover up when the sun is at its strongest (11am-3pm).
Skin types 3
Don't be tempted to use a sunscreen with an SPF lower than 15, even if you rarely burn.
You are still at risk of developing skin cancer and should take care in the sun.
Sunscreen myth
2
A tan is a sign that the skin is already damaged, so don't add to this by reducing your protection.
Skin type 4
Certain medicines can cause hypersensitivity to the sun's rays and cause severe eczema from sunbathing.
Avoid sunbathing and make sure you cover arms and legs with long shirts etc when out in the summer sun.
You should wear a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF 20+).
Think you can lower the SPF factor when you start to tan? Think again.
Even though your chances of developing skin cancer are less than those of people with skin type 1, 2 or 3, the sun can still damage your skin and cause wrinkles.
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