The sun and its effects

While we need sunlight to live, it can also be very damaging to our health if we get too much of it.

The energy contained in sunlight includes UV (ultraviolet) and infra-red and visible light. UV levels are highest between 11am and 3pm in the summer months, or 10am and 2pm during GMT¹. As UV radiation is not related to temperature, it’s very easy to underestimate the risk and get burnt during everyday activities like gardening or sitting in the park.

Even on cloudy and cool days, UV radiation causes unseen damage to skin and can lead to skin cancers – now the most common form of cancer in the UK². All skin types and colours are susceptible to sun burn and should be protected; but children’s skin is particularly delicate and easily damaged³, putting them at greatest risk – sunburn in childhood can increase the risk of skin damage, which may include conditions such as malignant melanoma and other skin cancers⁴. But such damage is easily preventable…just by being sun sensible.

Celebrity doctor Chris Steele reveals the importance of protecting your skin against the sun from an early age, having suffered four skin cancers himself as a result of over exposure to the sun.

Dr Chris said: "Sun protection is a serious matter and parents need to understand the facts so they can protect their family from the risks of sun damage.

"My skin cancers are purely the result of over exposure to the sun and sun beds many years ago, before we knew the dangers of UV exposure. As a doctor, it’s awful to remember how we readily left our skin vulnerable to sun damage.

"What many people still don't realise is that the majority of sun damage occurs before the age of 21 and suffering sun burn as a child or teenager greatly increases the risk of skin cancer in later years.

"Another common misconception is that sunscreen doesn't need to be applied on cloudy days. The reality is that cloudy days can often bring more risk as children will stay out longer when the sun isn’t as hot, meaning the damage caused can be more intense.

"Whether you are planning a holiday abroad or staying at home, you need to be skin aware and protect yourself and your family appropriately. Get the facts and get the right protection. Make sure you are using good quality products with a high SPF and follow the guidelines on when and how often to apply."

Good things about the sun

The sun, of course, is vital to life on Earth – it provides warmth and light, and enables the lifecycles of nature that provide us with food¹. But from your body’s point of view, what else is good about being in the sun?

It helps us feel better

Being in sunlight lifts our mood and makes us feel good – and that’s down to our body producing a hormone called serotonin, which increases when the body detects sunlight² .

It helps us sleep better

Another hormone – melatonin – controls our sleep patterns, and when our body detects sunlight it reduces its production until the sun goes down. In other words, the sun helps regulate our sleep².

Vitamin D

The sun also helps young bodies produce vitamin D for the development of healthy teeth and bones³. There have been concerns that lack of exposure or even the application of sunscreen can lead to a deficiency in children. The British Dermatological Nursing Group (BDNG) and the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA) agree that there is a clear link between skin cancers and sun exposure. They recommend a diet rich in Vitamin D and/or supplements as a more effective and safer alternative than putting children at risk of skin cancers by not using sunscreen.

The damage sun can do

Too much sun can cause a variety of skin problems – its UVA and UVB radiation may contribute to chronic skin, eye and immune system damage, while infra-red and visible light can also cause chronic skin damage and ageing symptoms.

Here are some of the conditions caused by the sun:

Skin cancers

Skin cancers are one of the most common types of cancer in the world, and can be simply divided into two types: non-melanoma and melanoma.

Non-melanoma cancers (also known as carcinomas) slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin, the first sign of which is usually the appearance of a lump or patch on the skin that doesn't heal after a few weeks¹. The most common types are basal cell skin cancers (about 75% of all non-melanomas) and squamous cell cancers (about 20%) – both are named after the types of skin cells from which they develop².

Research suggests that if everyone used an SPF 15+ sunscreen regularly at least until the age of 18, the number of people getting non-melanoma skin cancers could be reduced by over 70%³.

Melanoma is a rare cancer of the skin's melanocytes (pigment cells) which often develops from a mole² and is the most deadly form of skin cancer. If untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body⁴.

You can find out more about skin cancer using the following links:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cancer-of-the-skin/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/cancer-help/type/skin-cancer/

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Skin/Skincancer.aspx

Premature ageing

As well as being potentially harmful for your skin, the sun can also have a negative ageing effect. Repeated sun tanning contributes to premature ageing and increases the risk of skin cancers.

Sunburn

Sunburn is a reaction from exposure to UV radiation. The top layers of your skin release chemicals that cause your blood vessels to expand, causing inflammation, pain and redness.

Moles and other sunspots

These spots, while not skin cancer, may be warning signs of sun damage and future skin cancers. If you have any of these spots you should regularly check them for changes.

Examine your skin regularly and look for any unusual changes or growths. If you are concerned about a skin lesion, consult your doctor as quickly as possible. Skin cancers can be cured if detected and treated early enough.

Please Note: Always check with your doctor or skin specialist if you suspect you have any of the symptoms/conditions mentioned above.

Stay Sun Sensible

Help prevent your skin getting damaged by following these simple precautions:

Cover up Wear a sunhat, sunglasses and T-shirt when you’re outside

Stay shady While you’re outside, stay in the shade as much as you can. Watch out for reflections from surfaces such as snow, water or sand, which can also cause sunburn. Even concrete or grass can reflect the sun and increase your risk of burning.

Drink lots Make sure you don’t get dehydrated, especially on warm days, by drinking lots of water – if you’re being active, this is particularly important.

Cream up Cover ALL your exposed skin with sunscreen (at least SPF 15), to protect your skin and stop it burning – and remember to reapply every 2 hours, or sooner if you go swimming. You’ll find tips on how to properly apply sunscreen here.