FOR many of us – try as we might – spending time in sun ultimately ends in sunburn.
If you’re planning a beach holiday or expect to spend time outdoors, you might think you can escape this painful eventuality by getting what’s called a ‘base tan‘.
The idea of getting a protective pre-tan to stave off holiday sunburn is a “myth”, according to a dermatologist
This base layer of bronzed skin can supposedly protect you from getting sunburnt – or so nearly a quarter of adults think according to an American Academy of Dermatology survey seen by Axios.
But consultant dermatologist at Harley Street’s Dermasurge Clinic, Dr Hiba Injibar, begged to differ, calling the idea of a protective pre-tan a “myth”.
“In reality, a tan is a sign of skin damage from too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation,” Dr Injibar told The Sun.
And your skin is still vulnerable to the sun even if you’re a little more tanned than usual, she explained.
“When the skin is exposed to UV radiation, it produces melanin – a
pigment that gives skin its colour,” according to the dermatologist.
“Melanin helps to protect the skin from UV rays, but it cannot block all of them. UV rays can still penetrate the skin and directly damage the DNA within our skin cells.”
For context, Nancy Akerman, senior policy adviser for the Environmental Protection Agency told Axios that a suntan only provides an SPF of less than 4, while a tan from the salon could provide an SPF of less than 1.
Dr Injibar explained that this UV-induced damage can cause genetic mutations in your skin cells , resulting in “the formation of abnormal DNA structures called pyrimidine dimers”.
These can result in melanoma, one of the deadliest forms on skin cancer.
It’s not just cancer you’re putting yourself at risk of with repeated sun exposure – these same UV rays can also cause your skin to prematurely age.
“This can lead to wrinkles, age spots, pigmentation, and a rough, uneven skin texture,” Dr Injibar said.
How can I protect my skin from sun damage?
And the dermatologist had some bad news to those of use who love rocking sun-bronzed skin.
“The best way to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays is to avoid tanning altogether,” she stressed.
“If you must be in the sun, wear protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30+,” Dr Injibar continued.
When it comes to your sun cream, it’s not a one and done situation – the derm said it was important to reapply it regularly when you’re catching those beams, typically every two hours.
She added: “If you are swimming, exercising,or sweating due to the heat outside, this can reduce the effectiveness of the sunscreen and you will need to apply SPF more regularly – even if the sunscreen is labelled as water resistant!”
How much sun cream should I wear?
Most people tend to apply less SPF than than they should, which means they’re not reaping the full benefits of their sunblock.
“It is recommended to apply 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimetre of exposed skin,” according to Dr Injibar.
If that seems a bit two abstract, she recommended a better way of remembering how much sunscreen to apply.
The dermatologist recommended you follow the ‘two-finger rule’.
“For one area of the body i.e., your neck, apply enough sunscreen to cover two fingers on the area being protected.”
And advised you get some skin cancer screenings in, ” to keep the skin in prime condition and treat any skin conditions from the onset”.
This is especially if you have been tanning without SPF protection regularly.
“Skin cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the London, and it is
important to be vigilant of any changes in your skin that may indicate a more severe underlying problem,” Dr Injibar went on.
A skin cancer screening, when performed by a specialist, checks the skin for moles, birthmarks, or other blemishes and lesions that may be a sign of skin cancer, allowing for swift and effective treatment.”
What are the signs of melanoma?
The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole.
Most experts recommend using the simple “ABCDE” rule to look for symptoms of melanoma skin cancer, which can appear anywhere on the body.
Asymmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape
Border – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border
Colours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours
Diameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter
Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma
In women, the most common specific location for melanoma skin cancers in the UK is the legs.
Men are more likely to see melanomas in their trunk – the back or torso.