Things to consider when the sun shines and the temperature rises
Too much sunlight is harmful to your skin. It can cause skin damage including sunburn, blistering and skin ageing and in the long term can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer.
Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK with over 50,000 new cases every year.
A tan is a sign that the skin has been damaged. The damage is caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays in sunlight.
Who is at risk?
If work keeps you outdoors for a long time your skin could be exposed to more sun than is healthy for you. You should take particular care if you have:
- fair or freckled skin that doesn’t tan, or goes red or burns before it tans
- red or fair hair and light-coloured eyes
- a large number of moles
What can you do to protect yourself?
When the sun is strong try to spend time in the shade, keep your top on and cover up with clothing, and use sunscreen with at least SPF15.
Remember:
Sunscreen shouldn’t be used to spend longer in the sun. But they can be useful for protecting the parts of skin not covered by clothing or shade.
Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated during warmer weather.
