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Sun careNo matter what colour your skin, it's vital that you protect yourself in the sun. Even on a cool day or when there are clouds in the sky, the sun can still be strong enough to cause lasting damage. This factsheet describes the damaging effects of the sun and explains how to protect your skin and stay safe outdoors. Exposure to the sunSome sunlight is important because our skin uses it to produce vitamin D, which helps to build and maintain strong bones. Too much sun is harmful and can damage your skin. The sun gives out ultraviolet (UV) radiation that is made up of three types of rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVC rays from the sun cannot get through the ozone layer. But UVA and UVB rays can, and have been linked to skin damage. Short-term damageSun tan - A tan is a sign that your skin has been damaged and is trying to protect itself. UV radiation stimulates your skin to produce more pigment (colour) giving you a characteristic tan. Your tan will fade over time, but the skin damage remains. Sunburn - Short-term overexposure to the sun can cause your skin to burn, usually making it red, hot and painful. Burnt skin can be soothed with calamine lotion or aftersun lotions. After a couple of days, the burnt skin may peel. Severe sunburn with blistering may need medical treatment. Heatstroke - This is when the body becomes overheated from overexposure to the sun. Symptoms include vomiting, headaches and fever. If you think you may have heatstroke, get to a cool place and drink plenty of cool fluids. If your temperature measures higher than 39.5ºC on a thermometer, or your skin has become damp and clammy, seek immediate medical treatment. Long-term damageEarly ageing is a result of the UVA rays deeply penetrating the skin, causing wrinkles and sagging. UV rays are also known to cause damage to the eyes and can increase the risk of cataracts developing. Too much exposure to the sun may also damage the immune system, possibly increasing the risk of infection. UVB rays are thought to be the major cause of all types of skin cancer. Skin cancerThe number of cases of skin cancer is increasing worldwide but it is thought that most could be prevented. Some people are more likely to develop skin cancer than others and should take extra care to protect their skin in the sun. These people usually have:
MolesMoles are small dark marks on the skin. Some moles you are born with, while others appear throughout life. They often develop if you spend a lot of time in the sun. The majority of moles are harmless, but a small number of them may turn into skin cancers. For more information, please see the separate BUPA factsheet, Skin cancer. Preventing sun damageLimit time in the sunStay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm when the sun's UV rays are strongest. Look for shady areas and use umbrellas or canopies. Watch the UV indexThe UV index describes the strength of the sun's UV radiation. It is usually shown as a number in a triangle on a weather map. The numbers range from one to 11 and the higher the number, the stronger the UV radiation. In many countries, the UV index is reported alongside the weather forecast in newspapers and on TV and radio. Cover upWear long-sleeved tops and trousers, and choose materials that have a close weave as these tend to block out the most UV rays. Be aware that wet clothing stretches and lets more UV radiation through to your skin. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can reduce the UV radiation reaching your face by more than 50 percent. Sunglasses help to protect your eyes and eyelids, and wraparound sunglasses will also protect the skin around your eyes. Choose a pair of sunglasses that has the following labels: 100% UV protection and UV 400. If you are buying a pair of sunglasses in Europe, check that they also carry the European Standard CE mark and British Standard (BE EN 1836:1997). Wear sunscreenChoose a sunscreen that is 'broad spectrum' because this means that it will protect your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Make sure it has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. The SPF tells you how good the sunscreen is at filtering out the UVB rays. No sunscreen can offer 100 percent protection, but you will get more than 90 percent protection from UVB rays with SPF 15 and about 98 percent protection with SPF 60. Re-apply sunscreen every two hours or more often if you've been swimming or sweating a lot. Mole watchYou should check your moles regularly so that you will notice any changes in colour, size or shape. Most changes are harmless, but you should see your GP if you notice:
Don't use sunbedsSunbeds mimic the effect of the sun and give out artificial UVA and UVB radiation. Exposure to artificial UV radiation also causes skin damage. Sunbeds have been linked to an increased risk of skin cancer as well as eye damage. There are no regulations relating to the use of sunbeds, but the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that people should not use sunbeds if they:
Artificial tanning is used to treat some skin conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis, but this should only be carried out under medical supervision. Winter sunYou cannot feel UV rays. The warmth felt on your skin on a sunny day is actually caused by the sun's infrared radiation. So just because you can't feel the hot rays of the sun doesn't mean you won't get sunburnt. The amount of UV radiation is generally lower during the winter but snow reflects most of the sun's rays, so you can still get sunburnt. Particularly if you're high up in the mountains where there is less atmosphere to block out the UV rays. Cloud doesn't stop the sun's UV rays getting through either. In fact, haze can even increase the amount of UV radiation exposure. Children and the sunGetting sunburnt as a child is known to increase the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. Young skin is sensitive and very easily damaged by the sun's rays. Babies should be kept in complete shade. Cabanas (pop-up shelters) are a good way to protect children from the sun on the beach or in the garden, and parasols for prams and buggies protect children when you're out and about. Children should be dressed in loose-fitting clothes that cover up their arms and legs. A hat with a brim at the front and a cloth flap that covers the neck will provide good sun protection. Use water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on all exposed areas of children's skin and apply generously every couple of hours. If you take your child swimming, re-apply the sunscreen after towel drying. Faking itFake tanning lotions are a popular, safe alternative to sunbathing and sun beds. The tanning lotion reacts with the outer layer of your skin and produces a brown pigment. The outer skin cells are shed, so fake tan needs to be re-applied regularly if you want to maintain the tan. A fake tan does not protect your skin from the sun. Some fake tanning lotions contain sun protection but the SPF is usually very low, so you should also wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher when out in the sun. Fake tanning lotions can sometimes trigger an allergic reaction. Always test the lotion on a small area of skin first and follow the manufacturer's advice. Further information
References
Published by BUPA's health information team, healthinfo@bupa.com, February 2006.
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Stay safe in the sun with a UV monitor from the Bupa Shop
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