Sun sense

Around 100,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year. So if you're planning on basking in festival sun (let's hope it's out), be sure to protect yourself.

What's in the sun?

The sun gives off powerful radiation waves, including different kinds of ultraviolet rays. Here are the two that should concern you:

UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin layer, causing premature ageing and increasing the risk of skin cancer;
UVB rays burn the surface of the skin, causing it to tan and burn.

What's in a tan?

A substance called melanin gives the skin colour and provides some natural protection against the sun's UV rays. In sunshine, melanin builds up and the skin becomes darker. Be warned, however, melanin takes time to build up a protective layer on the surface of the skin. Stripping off the moment the sun appears means the skin is unprepared, and quickly burns. It's true that people with naturally dark skin have high levels of the melanin pigment, but no one is completely immune to burning.

What's in a sunburn?

A sunburn is basically an inflammation of the skin cells, as a result of exposure to the sun (also sun lamps). The skin becomes red, painful and sometimes blistered. Experts reckon that one severe burning session before the age of 15 can double the risk of skin cancer, so even one hot festival weekend without protection can make a difference.

So how do I protect myself?

In short, by having some respect for the sun even, if you're travelling by car or train with the windows open. It means always using a cream, block or lotion with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF). This is basically a filter system designed to block out harmful UV rays and stop you from burning too quickly. Stay out of the midday sun when the rays are strongest, wear a hat to keep the sun off your head, and put on a shirt or T-shirt for extra UV protection.

What's the right SPF for me?

A high one. Experts actually recommend using nothing less than SPF 15. Rub it on before going out in the sun and repeat the process throughout the day - that means getting drunk and passing out in the sun isn't a good idea.

Protecting yourself from the sun doesn't have to be a sweat. Like safer sex, if you take the right precautions then you won't risk any regrets.