Skin cancer is now the most common cancer in Britain. It is mostly caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet radiation - either from the sun or sunlamps. To prevent skin cancer it's important that you are aware of the sun's power and make sure that you and your children never burn. By following our tips here, you can make the most of the weather without putting yourself at risk. Try and stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm (this is when the sun is its strongest). Make sure you wear a good, strong sunscreen (at least SPF 15 - preferably higher) to minimise damage to the skin. Don't wait till your skin feels uncomfortable before you cover up. Don't rely on your senses. They can mislead you. Instead, know the basics and follow them. Which sunscreen?  | | Sunscreen is essential |
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) sunscreens offer some protection to your skin to stop it from burning in the sun. All UK sunscreens carry a Sun Protection Factor number. The SPF protects against UVB rays - and the SPF number tells you how well a sunscreen blocks out UVB. You should also look for a star rating (***) of three or more. This tells you the sunscreen's ability to block out the sun's UVA rays. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen which blocks both UVB and UVA light. Sunscreen SPF numbers measure how long skin covered with sunscreen takes to burn compared to unprotected skin. If your unprotected skin would burn in 10 minutes, an SPF of 2 would double the time spent before burning, to 20 minutes. People with blond or red hair and fair-coloured skin should be particularly careful as they will burn more easily. Sunscreens are not meant to be used to help you stay in the sun longer before burning - they are there to ensure you are protected - so limit your exposure to the sun especially when it is at its hottest. Apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or more half an hour before you go outside, so it has a chance to sink in. Put on more than you think you should! Put sunscreen on wherever your skin's exposed. Beware of those vulnerable areas you might forget like your ears, neck, back of the hands and feet. Re-apply sunscreen at least every couple of hours and more often if you're swimming or sweating. It's important not to stay out all day just because you're wearing sunscreen. A good rule of thumb is: don't stay out wearing sunscreen any longer than you would without it. Wear a hat and sunglasses  | | Children should always wear a hat |
Wear hats and clothes and sunglasses as well as sunscreen. You can burn even on a cloudy day. A wide brim will protect your face, your neck and much of your shoulders. Cloud only blocks some of the sun's UV - depending on the type and thickness of the cloud, it could block as little as a third of the UV. You can easily burn on a cloudy day, because you may not realise the danger. Fabrics that cover your arms and your legs are the coolest way to be outdoors in the summer. You'll feel more comfortable, you'll avoid heatstroke and your skin will stay young longer. The more tightly woven the fabric, the more of the sun's rays it will block. The safest clothes are those that are specially designed to be sun-protective. Wet fabrics let more sun through, so wear pale colours. At the seaside wear sun-protective swimsuits or wetsuits. Your eyes can be harmed by excessive exposure to the sun, so wear sunglasses. The retina can be permanently damaged and cataracts may result. Buy a pair that are 100% UV-blocking and make sure they have wrap-around protection. All sunglasses should comply with the British Standard BS2724:1987. Sun care for babies and young children Keep babies less than 12 months old out of the sun and in the shade. Loose fitting clothing will help keep children and babies cooler. Give children and babies frequent drinks to help prevent dehydration and encourage them to play in the shade when the sun is hottest. If they are in the car ensure there is adequate ventilation and never leave children or babies unattended. After sun and sunburn After-sun creams and lotions may help to soothe sunburnt or dry skin caused by the sun - but they can't help repair more serious skin damage. If someone is suffering from sunburn keep them out of the sun. Cool the skin with cool water and give them frequent sips of cold water. Apply calamine lotion or after-sun to soothe mild sunburn. | 
