We all like to think that we are up to date with medical advice where sunbathing is concerned, but how much notice do we actually take of it, and how much do we actually understand? A leading dermatologist has tried to dispel some of the more common misconceptions in a bid to help people understand exactly what damage they could be doing to their health, all in pursuit of the perfect tan:

Using a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) will stop me from getting skin cancer.
The SPF only protects against the UVB (Ultra Violet B) rays that make your skin go red and feel hot, but don’t offer protection against UVA (Ultra Violet A) rays that penetrate deeper into your skin. Therefore you need a sun protection cream with a high SPF and a high level of UVA protection, 4 star is recommended.

‘Once a day’ sun creams will keep you safe.
They may protect you for longer than normal sun protection creams, but it still depends on how many times you are in and out of the water or how heavily you sweat, as to how long they will actually protect you for, so it is still advisable to re-apply them more than just once a day.

All SPF’s have been scientifically tested.
Sun protection creams sold in the UK must, by law, undergo stringent tests to prove they offer the protection stated on the bottle, however, face creams and moisture lotions that promise SPF protection are not legally required to prove it, so should not always be relied on to provide adequate protection on their own.

Skin cancer always shows up as a mole.
Skin cancer can occasionally look like an enlarged freckle or a mole; however some forms can look like a bruise under a fingernail, or even resemble a scaly patch of eczema. Any changes to your usual skin tone or texture should be checked by your GP.

Applying too much sun protection cream is not good for your skin.
Sun protection creams do contain a certain amount of chemicals but choosing a reputable manufacturer will ensure the protection it gives will far outweigh the damage that could be done by its ingredients.

Aftersun lotion minimises sun damage.
Aftersun products contain a multitude of antioxidants and vitamins that will soothe and nourish hot and dry skin, but can’t undo the damage that has penetrated the skins surface. Aftersun lotion may make your skin feel instantly refreshed and soft, however this is only on the surface, always use a high SPF and 4* UVA rating for deep down protection.

Most sun damage is done to the skin during childhood so there’s no point in worrying about it now.
If you were over exposed to the sun during childhood, you could have latent cancers under your skin so any added sunlight in later life could activate them. It is never too late to start protecting your skin properly.

Sun beds only damage your skin if you use them long term.
Just one session on a snubbed can increase the risk of skin cancer by a staggering 98%! Need we say more..?

The best protection to use is ‘total sun block’.
Total sun block simply doesn’t exist; the only thing that will keep out those harmful UV rays is a brick wall. Umbrellas, t-shirts, even windows still let damaging rays through; the best defence is to keep applying sun protection and to stay in the shade between 11am and 2pm when the sun is at its hottest.

You can just cover up burnt skin and keep on sunbathing.
Burnt skin is fragile and even more susceptible to prolonged damage so should be kept totally covered, and out of the sun, for 10-14 days to allow it to recover properly.

We all like to think we look and feel better with a ‘good tan’, but it’s worth taking a moment to think about how we would feel if over exposure resulted in one of us getting skin cancer, and perhaps take an extra few minutes a day to make sure we do everything we can to minimise this risk, especially on holidays abroad when we expose ourselves to exteme sunlight for longer periods of time.