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Sunbathing

Are you dying for a gorgeous tan? You could be putting yourself at risk if you aren't sensible about sunbathing.

Whether you're visiting your local tanning salon; going abroad to a sunny locale; or even when the sun comes out here in good ol' Blighty, remember to keep yourself safe from the damaging effects of too much ultraviolet (UV) light.

Ultraviolet damage

Ultraviolet light is the agent found in sunlight that induces tanning and sunburning. It's also what tanning beds use to simulate sunlight and give you a tan. Over exposure to two types of ultraviolet light - UVA and UVB - can cause skin cancers and premature aging of the skin.

UV light, especially UVB, causes damage to the DNA in your cells, which may result in tumours forming - sometimes even years after increased exposure to the light. Getting burnt doubles the risk of cancers forming, including melanomas (pigmented cancers), squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas. These can manifest as unusual growths, spots, sores or moles on the skin.

UVA can prematurely age skin by speeding up the thinning of the skin, the development of wrinkles, fine lines and other changes usually associated with aging.

Teen Tanorexic

Many teens are turning to sunbeds to look tanned. While the craze is not confined to teenagers, it's often this group that aren't fully aware of the risks of UV. People who top up their tans by frequently using sunbeds have been dubbed tanorexic in urban slang (it's a portmanteau of 'tan' and 'anorexia').

The risk of UV over-exposure is very high, especially where the sunbeds are unmanned and coin operated. The intensity of UV from sunbeds can be 10 to 15 times higher than that found in normal sunlight. Your eyes can also be damaged by the UV light from sunbeds if protective goggles aren't worn.

Most salons that are part of the Sunbed Association will not let under 16s use sunbeds, even though there is no actual law on the use of sunbeds by under 16s.

It's best to avoid sunbeds, especially if you are already at increased risk of skin cancer:

• Teenage skin is more sensitive to the damaging effects of UV. Therefore it is recommended that teenagers do not use sunbeds at all.
• If you have fair skin or freckles or moles, you should also not use sunbeds.
• If you are taking medication that makes your skin more sensitive to UV, avoid sunbeds.
• Those with a family history of skin cancers should avoid sunbeds.

Protect yourself

Whether you're here at home or abroad, you can protect yourself and still enjoy the sunshine with some sunscreen and the tips below:

• Use a sunscreen that is at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 for adequate protection from UV. The higher the SPF, the more effective sun protection it offers. Make sure it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
• Make sure you apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin - for example if the top you're wearing has short sleeves, a low neckline and an open front, make sure you put some cream on your arms, neck and chest as well as your face.
• Reapply sunscreen throughout the day, and especially after swimming as it will probably have washed off (even if your sunscreen is labelled as water resistant).
• Go into the shade between 12 noon and 3pm, as this is when the sun is at it's most damaging.
• Don't binge tan (sunbathing for intense periods). A tan will build up gradually through normal sun exposure.
• Don't intentionally try to get burnt - a lot of young people believe that burning = tanning. But sunburn is not necessary for your skin to get a tan.
• Protect your eyes and look stylish with a pair of sunglasses.

Faking it

There is a way of getting a safe tan - and that's out of a bottle! There are many options on the market these days for getting that bronzed look without baking yourself, including spray tans at salons and fake tanning products.

Recently a lot of body moisturisers with a hint of self-tan have appeared in stores which offer a gradual and convenient way of getting that Summer glow.