How To Protect Yourself THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO AVOID BURNING YOUR SKIN. Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm when it is at its strongest. If you're not sure if it's safe, do the shadow test to make an on-the-spot UV estimate. Just look at your shadow: if you can't see it at all, dangerous UV rays are reaching you. If your shadow is shorter than you are, you're in high-UV territory. If it extends way out beyond you, you're somewhat safer from UVB rays, although UVA rays remain in effect all day, every day. Wear clothes made from tightly woven fabric and a hat which shades the face, neck and ears. Make sure you buy a sun screen which offers 'broad spectrum' protection to ward off both UVA and UVB rays. Dermatologists recommend at least SPF15. Don't be fooled by SPF30. It does not give you double the protection of SPF15; it gives you 3% more. Chuck out last year's sun screen dregs as a sun screen's properties can change with time, especially in extreme heat. Wear protective sunglasses as UV rays can cause cataracts and damage to the retina. Lips are very vulnerable to skin cancers, so protect them with a balm of at least SPF15. Look around you. UV light is reflected by all sorts of surfaces, particularly water, sand and snow - even grass. Don't rely on shade either; if you can see sky, you can get burnt. If you're sitting under an umbrella at an outdoor cafe, the sun can bounce off that stainless-steel table and into the deeper layers of your skin. Sun protection is most important for babies, little children and teenagers. Babies under six months of age are too young for sun screen and should simply be kept out of direct sun as much as possible. Two-thirds of sun damage is done before you reach your 15th birthday. Avoid using sun beds - they carry all the risks of natural sunlight. They can also be addictive if you believe you can get the perceived feelgood/look-good factor of a tan fast. If you really can't face being pale on holiday, there's a booming industry in excellent fake tanning products. For more information on suncare, see the Suncare FAQ Page Back To Main Page