A dermatologist is calling for people to use suncream not only as the weather picks up, but all year round in order to avoid long term sun damage and the risk of developing skin cancer.
The comments come from Childs Farm’s consultant dermatologist Dr Jennifer Crawley, who has more than 10 years experience in dermatology, working from the University College Hospital London.
She believes a re-education is needed when it comes to sun protection and is urging people to get out of the mindset that suncream is just for holidays abroad or for peak heatwaves.
Dr Crawley said: “I think we need to really make the point when we are talking about sun protection, we aren’t just talking about blistering heatwave sun; we are talking about UV light.
“Getting sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. That’s why it’s so important to be applying sun cream all year round, not just when it’s hot. Skin cancers take a long time to occur and they occur because of an accumulation of UV damage over a number of years, making it fundamental to protect skin from an early age.
“Any sunburn on children’s skin is especially worrying, because young skin is much thinner than an adult’s, making it far more susceptible to damage. Sunburn in childhood dramatically increases the chance of skin cancer in later life; it really is imperative that parents take the right steps to protect their little ones when they are outdoors.”
Dr Crawley continues: “One of the main problems we find is that people don’t apply an adequate amount of suncream. We recommend at least two teaspoons for the head and neck area and two tablespoons for the body. But you can’t apply too much, so use it liberally.
“Lots of people apply suncream twice during the day as they are aware it does wear off, and while this is a good start, suncream really does need applying more than twice particularly on really hot days. It’s also important that whatever your skin type you look for one with a high SPF of 30+ and one that will protect the skin against both UVA and UVB rays. It’s also important to make sure the sun protection you use is suitable for eczema prone or sensitive skin if you suffer with those conditions.”
Reassuring those who enjoy being outdoors, Dr Crawley believes the sun shouldn’t stop us having fun and enjoying ourselves, we just need to be prepared.
She says: “While this is a really serious topic, I think we also need to make sure people don’t become too fearful of being outside. Everyone should be able to enjoy the great outdoors, so don’t let the sun hold you back, just reapply, reapply, reapply!”
Childs Farm’s skin expert Dr Jennifer Crawley’s golden rules for sun safety
- On hot days and when you’re abroad keep little ones in the shade between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its hottest
- Cover any exposed skin with suncream even on cloudy days
- Use a high factor SPF 30+ suncream, with broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
- Reapply suncream numerous times throughout the day, especially after swimming
- Pay particular attention to often forgotten areas such as the shoulders, back of the neck and behind the ears when applying suncream
- Where possible, cover up childrens’ skin with a hat, loose fitting clothing and sunglasses
- Always keep babies under the age of six months out of direct sunlight
- For those who have particularly sensitive or eczema-prone skin, make sure you are using a product that has been clinically tested as suitable for this skin type / use a product that is dermatologist and paediatrician approved
Childs Farm’s new 30 SPF suncare range has launched exclusively in Boots Sun Shop and can be used by the whole family, suitable for sensitive skin and also those who are prone to eczema. For more information please visit www.childsfarm.com
Childs Farm is distributed online at Amazon, Ocado and through its e-commerce platform www.childsfarm.com, as well as instore and online at Boots, Superdrug, Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Morrison’s and major pharmacy groups.
Competition time
For your chance to win a pack of Childs Farm essential sun care like above, just complete the easy widget below.
Win a Childs Farm Sun Care PackTerms and Conditions:
- Giveaway will run until August 24th.
- There is one prize to be won.
- The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered.
- This giveaway is open to UK entries only.
- Entrants must be age 18 or over.
- Data controller for the purposes of this giveaway is Mummy Fever. Your details will not be used for any other purpose than selecting/informing a winner.
- Winner’s details will be passed to Childs Farm, who are responsible for sending out the prize.
- All entries will be checked.
- The winner will be chosen at random from valid entries after the closing date.
- The winner will be informed by email.
- The prize includes free UK delivery.
- Failure to respond within two days may result in a new winner being drawn.
- Once drawn, the winner’s name will be displayed on this blog post.
- Entry into the giveaway will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions
65 comments
Stay in the shade, drink lots of water and make sure to keep applying sun screen
Avoid being out in the sun as much as possible from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m and drink plenty of water.
Keep kids in the shade when possible and keep them hydrated with plenty of juice and ice lollies.
Give kids plenty of ice lollies to keep their fluids up.
I have fair skin so I try to avoid midday sun on holiday and use a high sun factor.
Slap on plenty of sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
Wear SPF50+ sunscreen
Stay in the shade as much as possible, use sunscreen and keep ‘re-applying , drink lots of water to stay hydrated, wear a sun hat
Stay in the shade when possible and if you’re not quite sure if you need suncream on our not, always err on the side of caution and put some on.
Try to go out early, enjoy the warmth, but move into the shade/inside by lunchtime.
Loads of sunscreen and drink water for England!!!
wear a sun hat and drink plenty
Sit in the shade at the hottest time of the day, wear a hat and plenty sun tan lotion
wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen, and don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
Always wear a hat and try to walk in the shade when possible.
Remember to take a break from the sun every couple of hours
Get children used to wearing hats, sunnies and sunblock so it becomes part of their routine as they grow up.
Slap on the cream – cotton clothing : drink drink drink -ENJOY
Wear a sunhat, sunglasses and apply high factor suncream on and keep applying it at regular intervals.
Always wear sunscreen, reapply it regularly. Hat, sun glasses and shade a must. A parasol works wonders and looks fab!
Keep out of the afternoon sun, shade is good! Don’t forget you might not look ‘burnt’ til later in the day. Reapply sunscreen often.
Use lots of Sun cream and keep in the shade when possible.
Wear a sun hat if you’re going to be outdoors for a while & use sun cream & reapply regularly.
Lots of water, a sunhat and sunscreen. Try and be in the shade where possible.
I try and avoid being in the sun between 11 and 3 as the UV is at its strongest
Apply sunscreen before getting dressed and going out in the sun. Then it has a chance to start working.
wear wide brimmed floppy hats, long sleeved and long legged linen clothing, ensuring the trouser legs cover the tops of your feet – use sunscreen, even under clothing x
reapply suncream often and stay in the shade during hottest times
Drink plenty and reapply suncream throughout the day
lots of regular applications of suncream and stay hydrated
Suncream on & hat on. Drink plenty of water.
So many good tips on here! But another one I would add is to look for UVA clothes for little ones to help protect their skin alongside the right suncream! You can’t have too much protection from the harsh sun.
swim with a t-shirt. Lots of water + a little snack with salt.
don’t go out when its mega hot!!!!
Remain inside or in the shades between 11 am and 3 pm
Plenty of suncream, high spf and wear a hat and sunglasses
Beware of the midday sun especially on overcast days – always have plenty of sun protection to hand
Avoid direct sunlight between 11 and 3
Stay hydrated and out of direct sun.
My main tip is always to avoid the sun as much as possible. Play in the shade!
Lots of sun creams
Sunblock and a hat
Seek some shade every hour and re-apply suncream whilst staying hydrated
Always wear an SPF 30 moisturiser
Don’t go out during the suns peak
Remember to reapply sunscreen regularly
I have my two girls in sun suits and hats so there’s less skin exposed to the sun
On really hot days make sure everyone is wearing a spf 50 sunscreen and a hat
Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your ears and feet if wearing flipflops or sandals.
I always make sure to apply sunscreen early in the morning long before any exposure
Plenty of high factor sun cream, keep hydrated and wear a hat.
Remember to apply sun cream 15 minutes before you go out in the sun to allow time for it to work!
Make sure use the correct sun factor cream for your skin and cap to protect head
Keep to the shade, sun hats and cream and plenty of water!
Make sure we all stay out of the sun when it is strongest, there is a world of difference ebtween midday sun and late afternoon or morning sun
KEEP IN THE SHADE BUT STILL APPLY SUNCREAM AS THE SUN CAN STILL DAMAGE YOUR SKIN EVEN IF YOU ARE IN THE SHADE
Slip, Slap, Slop :- I think this was one Campaign to encourage appropriate skin care in Summer, Sunshine, etc. Slip on a cotton T – Shirt, Slap on a Hat ( Protect head, and eyes), and Slop on Sun Sreen cream / lotion.
I believe the advice came from Australia, a country which gets lots of sunshine.
Sunglasses, adequate frequent application of sun screen lotion. Keeping up to date in regards to Health and Safety Advice for Summer, Sunshine, etc.
Children’s skin is delicate :- It needs to be Protected. Some others may have skin conditions, as well as :- As we age skin can and does become more delicate. So we need to consider all individuals within group / family group, etc.
At least spf30 sun cream and keeping hydrated are my top tips
SPF 50+ at a MINIMUM!!!
My sun safety tip is hydrate where possible
My sun safety tip is use a factor 30 or 50 minimum suncream
Go out in the sun late afternoon or early evening.
Keep the kids covered up from head to toe in a decent uv protective swim outfit, long legs & sleeves and a hat with a neck covering on it…..and cover the rest of them in sunscreen!