Lydia Countdown to Summer ; As Lovely As a Bit of Sunshine Is, Not Only Does Sunbathing Carry a Risk of Skin Cancer, It Massively Ages the Skin Too. Help Is at Hand with a Sun Awareness Guide From the British Association of Dermatologists

Western Mail › May 19, 2009

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Summary

We're all individuals Different skin types need different protection - fair skin, as we all know, needs extra protection, but for darker skin types, using sunscreen could leave them with a vitamin D deficiency. Rebecca Freeman of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) explains: "Our research shows that people with different skin types are not always protecting their skin to the appropriate levels. "Pale skin types are at the highest risk of skin cancer, but our research shows that these people sunbathe, use sunbeds, and don't always use sunscreen in the sun. "However, naturally dark skinned people, such as African-Caribbean or dark Asian skin types, only really need to protect their skin in intense sunshine and during prolonged sun exposure. "In fact, these skin types are most at risk of vitamin D deficiency if sun exposure is too limited.

"We need to educate people about sun protection for different skin types, as it may be that we are currently using a 'one size fits all' message that isn't appropriate for everyone." Slather on the sunscreen Despite skin cancer rates increasing faster than any other cancer (figures double every 10 to 20 years), one in four people who rarely or never use sunscreen also regularly sunbathe. But even those who do use sunscreen may be inadvertently putting themselves at risk. BAD recommends using a minimum of SPF30, because in general, most of us don't apply enough product. SPF is measured with a sunscreen application thickness of 2mg/cm, when in reality, we tend to dab it on at an average thickness of just 0.5-1mg/cm. If a more uniform and appropriate application were employed, there would be no need for sun protection factors higher than 15. Boots Suncare scientific adviser Mike Brown supports this advice, saying: "Whatever sun protection you think you need, go for double that amount.

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Lydia Countdown to Summer ; As Lovely As a Bit of Sunshine Is, Not Only Does Sunbathing Carry a Risk of Skin Cancer, It Massively Ages the Skin Too. Help Is at Hand with a Sun Awareness Guide From the British Association of Dermatologists

"A lot of people think you have to burn a little to get a tan but the truth is some of us...

See the full content of this document