Do you know how much damage you're doing to your skin?
Yes, we may not have weather like Cyprus or the Maldives but that doesn't mean your skin doesn't need protection.
Research conducted by leading self-tan brand St. Tropez into the dangers of sunbathing, has unearthed that over a third of the British public don’t feel the need to protect their skin from the dangers of UV rays whilst on home soil.
The research, commissioned to mark Sun Awareness Week, which starts today, showed that Brits were unable to tell sun-fact from sun-fiction with one in ten believing that the sun in the UK isn't as strong as it is in more tropical climes and 20 per cent of the public thinking you can’t catch the sun through glass. Even more worrying, a further fifth of the population think you need to burn in order to get a tan.
In raising awareness of safe tanning, model and TV presenter Abbey Clancy says: “Being a mum, I’m keen to pass on beauty advice to the next generation so if you’re at a festival, on your lunch or in the park this summer, enjoy the sun safely by protecting your skin whatever the weather.”
Findings further revealed that one in three Brits spend at least 30 minutes of their lunch-break basking in the sun when the weather’s hot. Of those who enjoy some lunchtime sun, 50% said they didn’t apply SPF, raising concerns around daily sun safety as we head towards summer.
Fashion’s golden boy, Henry Holland says: “In the sun I always wear factor 50 on my face so I can enjoy the sun safely. Even in the winter, I use a nourishing moisturiser that contains SPF to keep my skin as damage-free as possible.”
The worst offenders were shown to be those aged 18-24. Over half of this age group admitted they spent sunny lunch breaks in the sun, but just 15 per cent said they applied SPF to protect their skin when doing so. The study also revealed that men are more in need of education when it comes to sun protection than women, with over 34 per cent saying they wouldn’t wear SPF to protect their skin when sunbathing in the UK. Whilst a huge 86 per cent of men and women stated they felt healthier and happier with a tan.
Dawn Porter, reporter and TV presenter adds: "I really limit the amount of time I lie in the sun. It's nice to soak up some vitamin D, but I don't do it to get a tan. Why damage your skin when you can get a spray tan that looks just as good, and does you no harm at all?"
Mum and TV personality, Donna Air adds: “As a woman who has used self tan on and off for many years, I appreciate the importance of sensible tanning therefore I'll always use a high-factor SPF when in the sun. With so many great self tanners on the market, I happily wear a high SPF knowing that I'll still achieve a natural golden glow."
It’s not just sunbathing at home where Brits need to be more sun-aware as over a fifth of the British public state they feel under pressure to return from holiday with a golden glow, despite admitting they find sunbathing dull. The region under most pressure appears to be Northern Ireland; with nearly 40 per cent of those surveyed stating a need to return from holiday with a golden glow.
Michelle Feeney, CEO of PZ Cussons Beauty comments: “As a responsible self tan brand, St.Tropez encourages people to protect their skin, promoting safe tanning. These statistics point towards the need for greater education in the UK to boost awareness of the risks of UV rays and change ingrained attitudes towards skin protection. “
Nationwide clinic group sk:n is also backing Sun Awareness Week by helping to put sun risk in the spotlight by educating the UK population around the risks of using sun beds and prolonged exposure to the sun.
Nursing Director Ruth Breeden of sk:n says: “The risks of skin damage from UVA and UVB exposure are high. We see damage ranging from wrinkles, sagging and pigmentation spots through to the worrying early signs of skin cancer. At sk:n we offer a host of treatments but prevention is really the very best way of staying safe and beautiful in the sun. Saying ‘no’ to sunbeds, avoiding the summer sun between 11am and 3pm, covering up with light clothes and sunhats and applying a good SPF product that is appropriate to your skin tone will all help and Sun Awareness Week is really doing its bit to educate everyone with well researched and powerful independent research and information.”