Many of us are enjoying the hot weather at the moment and are making the most of it by spending time out doors.
While most people will apply sun cream before they go outside there are several mistakes we may be making – without us realising it.
And experts have warned that any level of sunburn will cause irreparable damage, according to the Mail Online.
Founder of the charity Melanoma UK, Gillian Nuttall, said any burn can triple the risk of melanoma.
She reveals the six mistakes we may be making:
1. Low Factor Sunscreen
Gillian says that this is an incredibly common mistake.
Some people use low factors and put more and more on because they think the more they use, the better the protection. But this is not the case.
2. Forgetting ears and soles
These are the areas that tend to be forgotten .
She told the Mail Online: “Think about it – when you sunbathe on your front, the soles of your feet face the sun, but do you ever think to protect them?
(Image: Getty/Creative-Family)
“The tops of ears is another area always missed. I’ve seen people have their whole ears removed following a melanoma on an ear.”
3. Going outside without any sunscreen on
Some people do not apply sunscreen before going outside and only start when they feel like they are buring.
These people are putting themselves at risk.
Gillian said as soon as skin turns pink in the sun the damage is irrepairable.
She said: “You can apply after sun as much as you like in an attempt to make the tender skin feel better when you’ve caught the sun.
“But the second your skin starts to turn pink, the damage is already done.”
4. Leaving sunscreen until last minute
Sunscreen needs to be applied at least 20 minutes before you go outside so it can be fully absorbed by the skin.
This makes the protection more effective.
5. Not applying enough sunscreen on children
Childrens’ skin is delicate and it is very important that parents make sure children are protected.
Young skin is thinner than an adults so it is more susceptible to damage.
(Image: Getty)
Sunburn in childhood increases the chances of skin cancer later in life.
It is recommended that two teaspoons are applied to the head and neck area and two tablespoons for the body.
6. Not using sunscreen when it is cloudy
Experts advise that sunscreen should be used all year round and not just when it is hot and sunny.
Childs Farm’s paediatric dermatologist, Dr Jennifer Crawley, told the Mail Online that getting sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of getting melanoma – the most serious type of skin cancer.
UVA and UVB rays can still be damaging on cooler days.
