We've had a few beautiful weeks of hot weather in the UK - and it's about to get even warmer this weekend. Whether you've been enjoying the sunny spells in a beer garden, or simply your own back garden, it's still important to protect yourself from the sun.
We're used to stocking up on sun cream ahead of holidays abroad. But with clear skies and temperatures in the early twenties at home, it's vital to do the same here.
Too much sun can be damaging and while sunburns can be extremely painful, it also increases your chance of skin cancer. It can also cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which could be fatal.
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Here is how to ensure you're applying sun cream to give the best coverage possible, according to health experts. Cult Beauty teamed up with Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Pharmacy to advise on the type of sun cream you should wear and exactly how much you need.
She recommends using sun cream with a minimum SPF factor 30 with anti-UVB protection and a UVA star rating of 4-5 stars for anti-UVA protection. If you have fair skin or burn easily you should use sun cream with an SPF 50 factor. For swimming, choose a water-resistant option.
Dr Lee explained: "Sun cream is a much better option than tanning oil which concentrates UV rays and increases the risk of sunburn and damaged skin. Getting sunburnt once every two years triples your risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer, melanoma, as compared to someone who has not been burnt."
You should apply around two teaspoons of sun scream to each area you are covering, according to Dr Lee.
This includes:
- Face and neck – two teaspoons
- Arms – two teaspoons, one teaspoon for each arm
- Legs – two teaspoons, one teaspoon for each leg
- Chest and stomach – two teaspoons
- Back and shoulders – two teaspoons
There are many uncertainties when it comes to how to apply SPF the right way, but by following these simple tips you won’t go wrong. Before you do anything, shake your sunscreen bottle. This will help break up any clumping that occurs over time.
Then use the three-finger rule when applying it to the face. Gently tap the formula all over your face, ears, and neck rather than just rubbing it all on to avoid irritation and to ensure a smoother application.
When applying to your body, smear small evenly sized dots over all areas exposed to the sun. Gently massage the sunscreen in, until you can’t see it anymore. Don't forget those sneaky spots that are easy to miss, like the neck and the back of your hands and feet.
If you are heading out to have fun in the sun, allow the formula to soak into your skin for at least 15 minutes before heading outdoors. Meanwhile, the NHS recommends re-applying sun cream every two hours.
It also warns to not rely on sun cream alone for protection. You should also wear suitable clothing and spend time in the shade or even indoors when the sun is at its hottest. Between March and October in the UK, the sun is hottest between 11am and 3pm.
Dr Lee recommends wearing loose, light-coloured clothes and covering your legs and arms, as well as wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with a UV filter.
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