With skin cancer being the most common type of cancer in Ireland, it is more important than ever that people ensure that they do their utmost to stay safe from the sun.
Irish skin is notoriously quite fair. As such, Irish people have always been genetically prone to be burned by the sun.
Unfortunately, skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland now. Still, the good news is that in most cases, it is also the most preventable.
By taking some smart and proactive measures, you can greatly increase your chances of successfully staying safe from the Irish sun.
Today, we will provide our best advice on ensuring that you and your family stay safe from the sun with Irish skin.
Use sunscreens – protecting your skin
The effective use of sunscreens plays an important role in keeping your skin safe from the sun. It is recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours.
It is also important to make sure that when buying sunscreen you choose the correct sun protection factor (SPF) with high UVA protection and, ideally, water resistance.
Wear suitable clothing – dress to impress and to be safe
Another simple but effective way to stay safe from the sun with Irish skin is to make sure that you wear suitable clothing.
By suitable clothing, we mean clothing that covers up as much of your skin as possible. Thus, shielding it from the harmful UV rays that the sun emits.
This can mean that, instead of wearing shorts and a tank top, perhaps you wear trousers and a long sleeve shirt.
The clothes can still be light to ensure that you don’t get too warm. However, just having a material layer between your skin and the sun can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting your skin.
Remember to SLIP, SLAP, SLOP, and WRAP – a perfect motto to remember for being sun smart
When it comes to rules to live by to stay safe from the sun with Irish skin, a common phrase to remember is ‘SLIP, SLAP, SLOP, and WRAP’.
SLIP means to slip on a loose long-sleeved t-shirt and SLAP denotes slapping on a wide-brimmed hat that covers your head and the back of your neck. SLOP stands for slopping on sunscreen generously and WRAP stands for wrap on your sunglasses.
By remembering and adhering to this sun safety phrase, you will greatly increase your chances of staying safe from the sun with Irish skin.
Be aware of who is most at risk – know the risks
While overexposure to the sun can be dangerous for everyone, it’s important to know who is most at risk from its harmful rays.
Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to sun exposure as the risk of skin cancer begins in childhood. So, parents should take special care to make sure their children stay protected from the sun.
Other people at high risk from the sun are those with pale or freckled skin, red or fair hair, moles on their skin, or a history of sunburn.
Know what times of day are most dangerous – plan your day accordingly
While the sun is dangerous throughout all times, it’s important to note that certain times of the day are more dangerous than others.
For example, midday, when the sun is at its highest, is the most dangerous time of day. During this period, you have the highest chance of getting sunburned.
It’s advised to try and stay inside or at least in the shade during this time. This way, you will escape the impact of harmful UV rays. A great and effective way to stay safe from the sun is simply to stay out of its view when possible.
Be aware of the hidden threats that the sun poses – don’t get burned
Some people are under the illusion that you are only really at risk of skin cancer if you get severely sunburned and if it happens repeatedly.
This, however, is not the case. Regular exposure to small amounts of the sun over a long period can have the same effect, even when it’s cloudy!
You might not feel that you are getting burned. However, damage may be still be done to your skin by just being exposed to the sun without proper protection, even if it’s just over a small period.
Don’t take chances, and do take every protective measure to stay safe from the sun with Irish skin.
