At Risk Groups

CHILDREN

Children spend a great deal of time outdoors which is healthy, but their delicate skin can burn very easily which can cause irreparable damage and lead to skin cancer in later life.
It is very important that children:

• Always use sun protection measures and follow the Five S's of Sun Safety
• Parents should remember school times too and send their child to school with a suitable sun hat and sunscreen. Lunch breaks are spent outdoors when UV penetration is strongest and extended periods of play, outdoor lessons, PE and school trips are often when children get caught out!
• Remember that up to 80% of the suns harmful UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and can damage the skin even on cloudy days.

For detailed information and sun safety advice specifically for children, click here >

OUTDOOR
WORKERS

Outdoor workers naturally spend a great deal of time outdoors, exposed to UV radiation and should therefore take extra care to ensure they are properly protected when at work and home.

Unfortunately, the subject of sun safety is often neglected in the workplace as a serious health and safety issue, so outdoor workers should be extra careful in ensuring they protect themselves.

• Outdoor workers should also remember that up to 80% of the suns harmful UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and can damage the skin even on cloudy days.

For detailed information and sun safety advice specifically for outdoor workers, click here >

OUTDOOR
SPORTS

Those who regularly participate in outdoor sports or leisure persuits naturally spend prolonged periods of time exposed to solar UV radiation and should therefore take extra care to protect their skin.

It is very important that outdoor sports enthusiasts:

• Always use sun protection measures and follow the Five S's of Sun Safety
• Remember that up to 80% of the suns harmful UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and can damage the skin even on cloudy days.
• Always reapply sunscreen after heavy perspiring / towelling
• Whether taking part in a game of football, round of golf, or watching the cricket the tennis for example - remember you are placing yourself at risk, so be prepared, cover up and take your sunscreen with you!

WINTER
SPORTS

Did you know that snow can reflect the sun's UV rays by up to 80%, this combined with a higher altitude (UV radiation increases 4-5% with every 1000 feet) can make winter sun every bit as damaging on the slopes as it is on the beach!

It is very important that outdoor sports enthusiasts:

• Always use sun protection measures and follow the Five S's of Sun Safety
• Remember that up to 80% of the suns harmful UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and can damage the skin even on cloudy days.
• Always reapply sunscreen after heavy perspiring / towelling

For further detailed information on sun safety for winter sports click here >

AVID
GARDENERS

Avid gardeners spend prolonged periods out time outdoors in the warmer months tending to thier gardens and/or allotments - this naturally places them at greater risk of sun damage and skin cancer.

It is very important that gardeners:

• Always use sun protection measures and follow the Five S’s of Sun Safety
• Keep their head and shoulders covered which can easily burn
• Remember that up to 80% of the suns harmful UV rays can penetrate cloud cover and can damage the skin even on cloudy days.
• Remember to reapply their sunscreen at least every two hours
• Always reapply sunscreen after heavy perspiring / towelling

For further detailed information on the Five S's of Sun Safety click here >

SUNBED
USERS

Sunbed users are at a much greater risk of developing skin cancer!
The facts are compelling:

• The intensity of UV rays in some sunbeds can be more than 10 times stronger than the midday mediterranean sun!
• Using sunbeds for the first time before the age of 35 increases the risk of developing melanoma skin cancer by 59%.
• Regular sunbed use under the age of 30 increases the risk of skin cancer by an alarming 75%!
• Short, intense and irregular UV exposure, like you receive from sunbed use is the fastest way to damage your skin. Damage increases with each session, is irreparable and can lead to melanoma - one of the biggest cancer killers in 15-34 year ols in the UK!

Click here for further information >

SKIN TYPE 1

This skin type typically always burns and never tans in the sun.
This skin type is therefore extremely susceptible to skin damage and the development of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer.

It is hugely important that individuals with this skin type:

• Always use sun protection measures and follow the Five S's of Sun Safety
• Use a minimum SPF 30+, broad spectrum sunscreen
  with maximum UVA protection and reapply at least every 2 hours.
• NEVER allow themselves to burn
• Check their skin at least once a month for signs of change
• Seek professional advice with ANYTHING suspicious
• Have an annual professional screening

SKIN TYPE 2

This skin type typically often burns and rarely tans in the sun. This skin type is is therefore highly susceptible to skin damage and the development of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer. It is hugely important that individuals with this skin type:

• Always use sun protection measures and follow the Five S's of Sun Safety
• Use a minimum SPF 30+, broad spectrum sunscreen with maximum UVA protection and reapply at least every 2 hours.
• NEVER allow themselves to burn
• Check their skin at least once a month for signs of change
• Seek professional advice with ANYTHING suspicious
• Have an annual professional screening

SKIN TYPE 3

This skin type sometimes tans and sometimes burns in the sun. This skin type is therefore susceptible to skin damage and the development of skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer. It is important that individuals with this skin type:

• Always use sun protection measures and follow the Five S's of Sun Safety
• Use a minimum SPF 30+, broad spectrum UVA protection sunscreen
• NEVER allow themselves to burn
• Check their skin at least once a month for signs of change
• Seek professional advice with ANYTHING suspicious
• Have an annual professional screening

SKIN TYPE 4

This skin type typically tans easily and is less likely to burn This skin type is however still at risk of developing skin cancer It is important that individuals with this skin type:

• Use sun protection measures and follow the Five S's of Sun Safety
• Use an SPF 30+, broad spectrum UVA protection sunscreen
• Check their skin at least once a month for signs of change
• Seek professional advice with ANYTHING suspicious
• Have an annual professional screening

SKIN TYPE 5

This skin type typically tans easily and rarely burns This skin type is at lower risk, but still can develop skin cancer and arcal lentiginous melanoma which is common among darker-skinned individuals. These melanomas typically appear on areas of the body that have not been exposed to the sun and all-too-often remain undetected until after the cancer has spread to other body parts. It is important that individuals with this skin type:

• Use sun protection measures and follow the Five S's of Sun Safety
• Check their skin at least once a month for signs of change
• Always check palms of hand, soles of feet and mucous membranes
• Seek professional advice with ANYTHING suspicious
• Have an annual professional screening

SKIN TYPE 6

This skin type typically does not burn in the sun, This skin types is still at risk of skin cancer and developing arcal lentiginous melanoma which is common among darker-skinned individuals. These melanomas typically appear on areas of the body that have not been exposed to the sun and all -too-often remain undetected until after the cancer has spread to other body parts. It is important that individuals with this skin type:

• Use sun protection measures and follow the Five S's of Sun Safety
• Check their skin at least once a month for signs of change
• Always check palms of hand, soles of feet and mucous membranes
• Seek professional advice with ANYTHING suspicious
• Have an annual professional screening