Shun burn, and tan without skin damage

Despite high profile campaigns about the dangers of exposing unprotected skin to the sun, teenagers are ignoring the warnings.

Many don’t wear suncream on holiday because they want a “status” tan, and believe covering up is “uncool” according to research by Teenage Cancer Trust as part its annual sun safety campaign, Shunburn.

The continuing lack of concern for sun safety in this age group is a particular concern given recent figures that show malignant melanoma is now the most common cancer in young women in the UK aged between 15 and 24.

Teenage Cancer Trust, a charity dedicated to helping young people across the UK fight cancer, questioned 16-24 year olds about their attitudes to sun safety when on beach holidays. The results reveal not only a complacent attitude to sun protection, but also a worrying desire to get a tan no matter what the cost.

Questions about suncream and sun safety advice when on holiday revealed:

13 per cent of young people aged 16-24 don’t bother using any suncream on holiday

A quarter (23 per cent) forget to apply suncream on holiday

A fifth (17 per cent) of young Brits only apply suncream once every six to eight hours when on holiday

One in ten (11 per cent) believe covering up skin on the beach is really uncool, and a fifth (17 per cent) never cover up with sarongs or long sleeved tops because they want maximum sun exposure.

Of those that stayed in the UK, a third (30 per cent) don’t bother with suncream in the UK at all.

Questions on attitudes to holiday sun tans revealed that 12 per cent of 16-24 years olds believe a tan proves you go on holiday to nice places. Nearly half would be disappointed if they returned from holiday without a sun tan and a lmost half (49 per cent) of 16-24 year olds think people look healthier with a sun tan.

Simon Davies, chief executive of Teenage Cancer Trust said: “It is the sun damage done to your skin when young that could lead to skin cancer in later life. We know that holidays should be all about having fun and relaxing but it is vitally important to not let your skin burn in the sun. It takes just a few moments to apply suncream or wear some form of a cover up. Those few moments could save someone the heartache of a skin cancer diagnosis.”

Rona MacKie, Professor of dermatology, University of Glasgow said: “Strong summer sun can burn skin in as little as ten minutes and burned skin does not go brown, it goes red and peels.

“Remember this and use a good suncream before you hit the beach, re-applying after swimming and at least every two hours. Your skin will look so much better for it.”

This year Teenage Cancer Trust has teamed up with Hollyoaks actress Jorgie Porter to raise awareness of sun safety in the 16-24 age group.

Jorgie said: “I also used to sizzle in the sun on holiday but now I cover up on the beach and use suncream on my face and body.”

Teenage Cancer Trust offers a free burn alert text message service which sends reminders about putting on suncream. To sign-up text SHUN to 80231.

Enjoy the sun in safety

Many young people don’t realise it’s the damage done to skin when you’re young that can lead to skin cancer in later life. Skin cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the UK and cases amongst young people have doubled in the last 20 years. The most common cause of skin cancer is exposure to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation found in the sun’s rays and sun beds. Protecting your skin from long term exposure to the sun’s harmful rays is vitally important.

The five easy steps to help you to enjoy the sun, more safely:

Put on sunscreen

Cover up your skin

Wear a hat or cap

Hit the shade between 11am and 3pm

Use sunglasses

For further information on Teenage Cancer Trust, Shunburn or to donate, visit: www.teenagecancertrust.org