Over a third of Brits don't use sunscreen
Almost 100,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year and yet we still manage to leave our homes without any protection.
New research, comissioned by leading skincare expert, La Roche-Posay indicates that over a third of Brits are not applying sunscreen whilst out and about in the UK.
It also revealed that more than one in ten aren't even using it whilst on holiday in hot countries.
The reason for no application is that people don''t think it is sunny or hot enough to be applying sunscreen.
However, it has been proven that even the disatrous weather we have in Britain can still cause permanent skin damage through exposure to high levels of UVA and UVB rays.
Eighty-six per cent of people don't know what these rays are, never mind the damage that they are causing to your skin.
Dr Jonathan Bowling, Melanoma expert and consultant dermatologist at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust says: "As a nation, we must make sure we acknowledge the power of the British sun. New cases of melanoma are rising at a rapid rate, compared to countries like Australia who have hot weather all year round. Even on a cloudy day, in the UK, UV rays can penetrate the skin, which is a leading cause of skin cancer."
But it seems that one of the main reasons that we don't want to wear sunscreen is to get a tan; 25 per cent of people say that they would prefer a tan rather than protecting their skin.
Jane Toner, marketing manager from La Roche-Posay says: "Looking after your skin all year round, both at home and abroad is vital - especially during the summer months when we're exposed to stronger UV rays."
So, just what are the differences between UVA and UVB rays:
UVA are mainly responsible for ageing the skin, they penetrate deeper than UVB, attacking the fatty tissue where collagen and elastin are found. These rays will go through glass, clouds and clothing and tend to initiate the development of skin cancer.
UVB rays cause reddening and burning to the skin, these are the rays which gie you a suntan. They reflect of water or snow, are at their most dangerous during the summer months between the times of 10am and 4pm. UVB rays are also repsonsible for causing most skin cancers.
It is essential to look for a sunscreen that protects from both of these rays, they will be referred to as a broad spectrum.
Alll Anthelios XL products from La Roche-Posay offer the highest protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Tagged in Health