Top Tips to Keep Your Skin Safe in the Sun
To help keep your skin safe and healthy while enjoying the sun, The Walcote Practice recommends seven simple steps, adapted from Australia’s ‘SunSmart’ campaign:
1) Slip on sun protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible (with thin clothing you should apply sunscreen underneath)
2) Slop on an SPF 30 or higher, UVA five-star rated, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, at least 20 minutes before sun exposure. To keep your skin safe, reapply every two hours when outdoors or more often if perspiring or swimming.
3) Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck and ears.
4) Seek shade.
5) Slide on sunglasses – your eyes need protection from the sun too!
6) Spot the signs of skin cancer early. Any of the following should be quickly brought to the attention of a GP.
A melanoma is a particularly aggressive cancer which can be recognised by using the ABCDE system when checking your moles:
Asymmetrical shape
Border/edge irregularity
Colour variability (a darker, patchy or multi-shaded mole)
Diameter over 6mm (does not always need to be the case)
Evolution (a new mole or an existing mole that is changing in any way).
It is also important to look for any mole which is different from your own other usual moles (the ‘ugly duckling’ sign).
Other forms of skin cancer may appear as non-healing easily traumatised ulcers, nodules or crusting eczema, especially on sun-exposed areas of skin.
7) Skin check – it is recommended to check your skin monthly from head to toe, and it is very important to have an annual skin check with an experienced GP who can quickly detect and address any problems with your skin.
For your reassurance, you can help take care of your skin by booking an efficient skin check with a private GP at The Walcote Practice for only £30 by calling 01962 828715. We can also remove or treat a variety of skin lesions which may be bothering you such as moles, skin tags, warts, verrucae, cysts etc.
The Walcote Practice is here to assist you with any medical issue so please do get in touch if we can help – you can learn more by clicking here.
