How to Stay Safe in the Sun

Growing Up In Ireland.

I grew up in the seventies in Ireland, in a housing estate.  There were always lots of kids to play with and we played outdoors, all the time. We were called in for our dinner and quickly ate it to go out and finish the game of hopscotch or foursquare. I have happy memories and it seems the sun was always shining.

Awareness

In the 70’s and 80’s skin cancer was never really spoken about. My mother advised us not to burn to the extent that we would peel. By the time the 80’s arrived, I was heading into my teenage years and jealous of my sallow skinned pals.  I gained freckles every time the sun shone bright. I thought I could become sallow skinned if I stayed out in the sun long enough and daily, even if I found sunbathing boring. My friends were the same.  We did not have the awareness that is there today, that the sun was damaging to the skin and would age us prematurely as well as the risk of cancer. 

Dangers of the Sun

Unfortunately, I became aware of the consequences when my aunt was diagnosed with skin cancer.  I became acutely aware of the dangers of the sun, and I have become conscious of protecting my skin.  I love a sun holiday, but I stay in the shade and enjoy the heat and a good book, as well as the fruit you get, it just seems so much nicer.  I always think, I will glow after a holiday, not because of a tan but because of the Mediterranean fruit!

Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 13,000 cases being diagnosed yearly. Skin Cancer is a preventable disease and not only that, but we also have the added benefit of looking younger and having healthier looking skin if we take the advice of every health care and skin care professional that exists!

Safeguard your Skin

What’s the best way to safeguard our skin while enjoying the outdoors?

Shop aisles are full of an overwhelming number of sunscreens, sprays and oils to creams and sticks. It can be enough to make you want to throw up your hands and give up. But your skin is worth figuring out the very best protection — not just against the sun, but against harmful ingredients, too.

Ultraviolet (UV)

What is UV?

Ultraviolet (UV) is a portion of the sun’s light that is invisible. UV light is broken into three categories — UVA, UVB, and UVC. Most UVC light is absorbed in our planet’s ozone layer and doesn’t reach us, but UVA and UVB penetrate the atmosphere and play an important role in conditions like skin cancers and aging.

Choosing SPF

Once you’ve chosen what type of sunscreen you’re looking for, you’ll need to select the right SPF which stands for Sun Protection Factor, SPF refers to the amount of time you could theoretically stay in the sun without getting sunburned. For example, an SPF 15 would allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than you could without protection.

When choosing an SPF, consider factors like how much your skin has already been exposed to the sun, how long you plan to stay in the sun and at what time of day, what season it is, and how strong the sun is in your area.

To see our full range of SPF on our website Click here

Tips to staying safe in the sun.

To protect your skin against sunburn, aging, and the danger of skin cancer, it’s crucial to use sunscreen properly. Our pharmacists recommend that you reapply your sunscreen at least every 30 to 45 minutes. You should also take frequent breaks from the sun and try to avoid the hours between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., when both UVA and UVB light are strongest.

Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you go into the sun. Ensure your skin is clean and dry before applying.

Dab small amounts of sunscreen around your skin, pat it around to lightly cover the area. Wait 30-40 seconds for the sunscreen to absorb into the skin, spread it in the direction that your hair lies, blending it into your skin.