Being bronzed is definitely not tan-tastic as rates of skin cancer are rising fast
DON’T be fooled. The heatwave may have eased for now but with weeks of summer still to come, it is vital to think of your skin.
Shows such as Love Island promote tans as attractive and healthy, as do celebs like the Kardashians. But the reality is a tan is far from being healthy.
The danger is as Brits we don’t get much sun, so we tend to go overboard when it does come out. And we go all out to get some colour like our favourite stars.
Rates of skin cancer are rising in the UK faster than any other form of the disease – a clear sign we are not taking enough care in the sun.
So first, what are the dangers?
The well-known one is sunburn, which dramatically increases your risk of skin cancer, and depletes skin health.
Then there is the fact it accelerates signs of ageing including wrinkled, sagging and leathery skin with uneven pigmentation.
Sunstroke and dehydration are also well known, but can prove serious.
Meanwhile, some lesser known effects include a risk of developing more moles and freckles.
If you have a pre-existing skin condition it can make it worse, and it can cause eye damage, including cataracts and macular degeneration.
The well-known one is sunburn, which dramatically increases your risk of skin cancer, and depletes skin health.
Dr Amiee Vyas
So what can you do to protect yourself?
Sun cream is a must – even on overcast days. But, it is not as simple as slapping on some cream. There are two types of ultraviolet rays from the sun, UVA and UVB.
SPF protects against UVB rays and the number tells you how long it will take your skin to redden or burn, compared with not using the SPF.
No one is exempt
If you are wearing SPF 50 it takes 50 minutes longer to burn than with no protection.
When you are applying it, make sure you use two finger lengths on your face, and around a shot glass’ worth to cover the rest of your body.
When you are choosing a cream to buy, it is not just SPF you need to consider. To protect against UVA rays, look for the star rating – and go for five stars.
Look for words like “broad spectrum”, which means you will get protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Go for a minimum of SPF 30, ideally SPF 50 in summer, and try to pick a waterproof formulation.
Always top up every two to three hours in high exposure like we had last week.
If you have dark skin there are lots of new formulations that don’t leave a white cast.
While paler skin is more likely to develop skin cancers, no one is exempt.
Dr Amiee Vyas
If you struggle to find one, in my clinic we have lots of subtle options, so contact me.
While paler skin is more likely to develop skin cancers, no one is exempt.
Skin cancers and melanoma – the deadliest form – still show up in darker skin types and often have a worse prognosis, because they can be missed.
Keep an eye on your skin, do regular mole checks and if you spot any that have changed, or new ones developing, always contact your GP.
Most read in Fabulous
We have got a long way to go before society starts seeing tanned skin as damaged skin.
Read More on The Sun
In the Victorian era, a tan suggested you were a lowly paid worker in the fields or farms rather than a pale-skinned educated person who worked inside.
Pale was the height of fashion back then, but until we get back to those ideals, please remember to take care of your skin, and a tan is a sign of damage done.
