TOP TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF...

We all know how bad too much sun is for our skin, but we all love being outdoors, enjoying our favourite sports. We wouldn’t want to stop you from going out in the sun altogether; that would be really boring! A bit of careful thought and planning are all it takes to play safe in the sun. So follow these tips!

You don’t have to feel hot to burn!

It’s so easy to get caught out when you least expect it. Just because you're not sunbathing you are still at risk of burning, especially if you're participating in an outdoor sport.

Those participating in watersports, wintersports or any activity at high altitude are especially vulnerable. Not only do snow, water and sand reflect the sun’s rays, they also become much stronger at high altitude. This means that even on overcast days you can still get badly burnt.

Don’t forget that UV rays can also pass through water, so just because you’re submerged and feeling cool it doesn’t mean that you’re not getting burnt.

Slap it on!

It doesn’t take that long to slap on some suncream, whereas the damage if you don’t can be very long lasting, or even fatal. Research shows most of us only put on 10% of the recommended amount of sunscreen... So follow these quick and easy tips for ultimate protection:

Apply a large dollop of sunscreen the length of your index and middle fingers and use this same amount on every part of your body. Apply it to your face, back, shoulders, legs and arms, remembering front and back.
You should always apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out into the sun. Reapplying just before you go means that you will catch any bits you missed first time.
Skin close to clothing frequently gets missed - so apply sunscreen before dressing.
Apply sunscreen regularly and liberally - and reapply after swimming or changing clothes.
Use a minimum SPF15 or higher and REMEMBER even though you use a sunscreen, you should still try to stay out of the sun during the middle of the day, and only stay in the sun for a sensible length of time.

Keep kissable!

Did you know your lips contain no melanin (the stuff which protects your skin from burning) so unless you want to wow everyone with a lovely scabby trout pout, use an SPF lip balm, keep it with you and keep on applying it. Mwah!

It’s a Cover Up!

Sunscreen isn’t the only means of protection. Hats, sunglasses, t-shirts all play an important part in preventing sun damage.

Sunglasses play a key role in preventing cancers and other eye diseases. Make sure that the ones you wear state that they offer 100% UV protection.

A wide brimmed hat can protect you from burning the end of your nose, the tips of your ears, the back of your neck and clothing will also protect your skin from those harmful rays, check out some of the latest UV protective clothing. Hi tech or what!

Holy Moley

Keep an eye on any moles you may already have and notice if you have any new ones. Things to look out for include changes in size, shape or colour, itching, bleeding or crusting, any moles that are uneven in colour, or have a ragged or irregular edge. Look for the one that looks different to all the others!

If you are at all unsure, have your moles checked out or take a look at these websites:

http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/
skincancer/detectingskincancer/

http://www.bad.org.uk/public/cancer/

www.wessexcancer.org/files/WESSEX0001/skin26.pdf

or come along to our Mole Watch Day at the Southampton Boat Show (more details to follow, so keep checking our Guide to the Summer page!)

And finally

If you REALLY feel that the only way to be gorgeous is to be golden, click here to check out our fake tan tips.

Remember tanned skin is not healthy skin - it is a sign that the skin has been damaged by UV radiation. When cells are damaged by the sun melanin rushes to the surface to provide protection against the next onslaught, as you slowly build a protective tan your skin is darkening in response to damage on top of damage.