Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn does not just happen on holiday. You can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy. There's no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan does not protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects.

Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.

The advice below from Macmillan, will help make sure that your skin does not burn:

  • Protect your face and neck with a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Wear sunglasses with a guaranteed ultraviolet (UV) light filter.
  • Use a sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (at least SPF 30). Choose one that protects against UVA and UVB, with four or five stars.Follow the instructions on the bottle and reapply as recommended, particularly after swimming.
  • Make sure you use enough sun cream. Experts say you need at least six to eight teaspoons of lotion for an average-sized adult to give the SPF coverage it says on the bottle.
  • If you have had radiotherapy, keep the treated area completely covered.
  • If you have to apply bite or mosquito repellent cream, apply the sunscreen first, followed by the repellent cream.
  • Wear clothing made of cotton or natural fibres. These have a closer weave and offer more protection from the sun.
  • Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11am and 3pm. Try to sit in the shade, even at other times of the day.

Spending some time outside in the sun helps you stay healthy. Our bodies need sunlight to make vitamin D. But it is important to protect your skin from burning, as this can increase your risk of skin cancers.

If you are going to be out in the sun for longer than a few minutes, you should always protect your skin:

Using sun beds or sun lamps also increases your risk of skin cancer. If you want to look tanned, use fake-tanning lotions or sprays.

Return to Health and Wellbeing