Whether you’re travelling to a hot country or experiencing this UK heat, this common sunscreen mistake causes burns – here’s how to avoid that mistake and enjoy the sun instead
Temperatures are set to reach 34C this week in what is set to be the the fourth UK heatwave of the summer. As amber health alerts are issued around the UK, travel experts at Alpine Elements explained how people can embrace the sun rather than being toasted by it.
People often remember to use sunscreen but only consider applying it once. However, even high factor suncreams are not as effective after a few hours in the sun, especially if you have been swimming or sweating or towel-drying.
The experts said: “Applying sunscreen just once isn’t enough, especially in hot climates where UV levels are high. We see people put it on before breakfast and assume they’re protected all day – but by midday that initial layer has worn away.”
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Sweating or swimming also exposes your skin to the sun due to the breakdown of the product, so experts have said to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours in intense sunlight and straight after swimming or sweating excessively.
Reapply even if you’re using a high SPF
SPF measures the protection against UVB rays – the rays that cause sunburn, but not measure UVA protection – the rays that contribute to ageing of the skin and long-term damaging effects.
People often assume that a sunscreen with high SPF allows them to stay out in the sun for a longer time and not need to reapply, however this is not the case.
Sunscreen must have a broad spectrum with protection from both UVA and UVB and reapplied regularly in order to be fully protected. Make sure to reapply SPF during the UK heatwave as well as during your travels to hot, tropical countries abroad but also when experiencing the UK heatwave.
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A spokesperson from Alpine Elements explained that if your skin is unprotected and the UV index is “double or triple what you’re used to” this can mean that “unprotected skin can start burning in under 15 minutes.”
They conclude that “sun safety isn’t just about avoiding discomfort – it’s about protecting your skin for the future. A few extra minutes spent reapplying sunscreen can save you weeks of pain or years of damage.”
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