sun tan lotion: how wearing SPF can save your life

I don't have many non-negotiables in my life, but one of the ones that I do is sunscreen.

Skin cancer is incredibly common. According to statistics, there are around 156,000 new cases of skin cancer in the UK every year. Melanoma - which is a particularly aggressive type of skin cancer - is the 5th most common cancer in the UK with around 15,400 cases diagnosed every year and causing approximately 2,300 deaths.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness month here in the UK. And it's bloody important because despite the prevalence of this disease, and despite the fact that the vast majority of cases of skin cancer could be prevented, countless people still don't protect their skin.

Like every other cancer, skin cancer occurs when skin cells start to grow uncontrollably and abnormally. Exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light from the sun is the primary cause, with both UVA and UVB rays able to cause significant damage to your skin and increase your risk of developing cancer. All skin types can be affected, but your risk is higher if you have skin that burns easily, or if you develop lots of freckles when you're in the sun.

While the best thing you can do to avoid skin cancer is to stay out of the sun entirely, that's not always realistic. So the next best thing is to remember to wear SPF. Unfortunately, it's pretty bloody expensive from most shops unless you can find a deal like the one pictured. My mum reliably informs me that Aldi offer a highly-rated, inexpensive sunscreen too, but sadly I'm allergic to it!

You should apply SPF any time you go outside, but especially on sunny days when your risk of sun damage is particularly high. Use a high level SPF (factor 50 is best) and reapply generously and frequently, especially if you've been in a swimming pool or hot tub. Make sure you apply it to clean, dry skin, and be sure not to miss any patches of skin!

And never, ever, use sunbeds. Sunscreen won't stop you from developing some colour, but it could slow down the process. Nevertheless, there's no tan on earth worth getting cancer for.

For more advice on how to apply sunscreen, check out the NHS website: https://lnkd.in/e78nd9V5