In an image conscious world getting a good tan on holiday seems to be what many holidaymakers want but they forget that skin cancer is caused by the ultraviolet light in the sun’s rays and without protection, the skin becomes damaged.

Did you know

There are two main types of skin cancer: non-melanoma skin cancer, which is common, and melanoma which is less common but more serious. In the UK more than 75,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are registered each year and around 9,000 cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year.

Read Cancer Research UK skin cancer facts.

The sun protection factor tells you how good the sun cream is at protecting you. An SPF30 product reduces the burning effect of the sun by 30 times, something I never knew until now, so higher the factor you apply, the better.

The Rant

Sun cream can be expensive considering the damage the sun can have on our skin without applying it, so why can’t the UK government not subsidise the 17.5% value added tax that we have to pay, to make it more affordable.

Applying sun cream

The experts say that sun cream should be reapplied regularly, especially after any activity that could remove it such as sweating, swimming, towelling or lying on sand. Make sure you do not miss out on exposed areas, like the ears and the neck.

I have to admit, that I never take off my t-shirt when travelling alone, as I can never put enough sun cream on to protect myself against the sun. Whilst this article targets holidaymakers, it’s worth remembering to protect yourself when your out in the sun at home.

I’d be interested to hear if you are sun tan conscious or like me don’t really care if you get a tan.

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