Slathering yourself in sunscreen might be one of the more annoying parts of going to the beach, but it’s absolutely essential to keep yourself properly protected from the sun. However, new research has revealed a worrying lack of knowledge among Brits about how to protect themselves from the sun’s harmful rays.
A survey conducted by Boots Soltan and cancer charity Macmillan, which polled 2,091 adults between June 25-26, found that only 31 per cent regularly apply sunscreen. Shockingly, nearly two-thirds of Brits are unaware that exposure to UVA rays can increase the risk of a mole turning cancerous, reports the Express.
Clare O’Connor, Suncare Scientific Advisor at Boots, has shared her top tips on how to avoid the dangerous effects of too much sun. She advised: “Wearing sunscreen is essential to protect your skin from sun exposure, even when it’s cloudy.”
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She recommends people use a minimum of SPF30 for all skin tones, increasing to SPF50 for those “with sensitive skin, anyone travelling to hotter climates and for children.” She also pointed out that: “As part of our commitment to encourage sun safety, Soltan no longer produces sunscreen lower than SPF50 for children and SPF15 for adults.”
How much should you use?
The data also revealed that over 70 per cent of adults are unsure about the correct amount of sun cream to use to stay safe in the sun. Ms O’Connor suggests using “around 2-3 tablespoons of product – about a shot glass full, or an ounce for spray formats.”
She continued: “To make sure the head and neck are protected, use the ‘two-finger rule’ – simply squeeze the product directly onto the first two fingers of your hand and generously rub into the face.”
How often should you reapply?
As the UK looks to bask in less rainy weather for the rest of the week, experts are reminding sun-seekers about the importance of proper sunscreen application. Ms O’Connor suggested reapplying every two hours. She said: “Always remember to regularly reapply throughout the day. According to research conducted with Macmillan, 40 percent of those who wear or apply sunscreen admit to only ‘sometimes’ re-applying on a typical summer’s day in the UK. Depending on the sunscreen, we should all be reapplying every 2 hours and instantly after swimming.”
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